Brady M. Diller
Katherine S. Duckworth
Practice Areas
Industries
Education
Vanderbilt University Law School
Nashville, Tennessee
J.D., 2018
Michigan State University
East Lansing, Michigan
B.A., International Relations, 2014
Bar Admissions
Michigan
District of Columbia
Court Admissions
All Michigan state courts
Energy and Regulatory Attorney
Katie is part of the Energy, Environmental and Natural Resources team at Varnum. She has experience with the broad range of U.S. laws and regulations affecting the power generation, energy storage and renewable energy industries, as well as organized wholesale energy markets and capacity markets. In addition to her experience in private practice, Katie has worked as in-house counsel at a leading independent power producer and as a trial attorney at the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC).
Katie represents companies in the energy industry on matters that include transactions, litigation, administrative proceedings and rulemakings, as well providing counsel on regulatory compliance and operational responsibilities. As part of her practice, she advises renewable energy developers on managing complex regulatory regimes for major energy projects and operations, including energy market rules and interconnection issues.
News and Insights
Allissa M. Moran
Family Law Paralegal
Allissa is a paralegal with the Family Law Team, specializing in divorce cases, custody matters, and domestic relations. Her role supports clients from the onset of domestic relations proceedings, continues through recording of the final judgment, and extends to post-judgment proceedings.
With experience gained in both large and small firms, Allissa has a wide background that includes criminal law, driver’s license restorations, expungements, abuse and neglect cases, adoptions, and litigation in civil, labor, and employment law.
Certifications
Accredited Legal Professional (ALP)
Professional Affiliations
Notary Public, State of Michigan
National Association of Legal Professionals (NALS)
The National Society of Leadership and Success (NSLS)
Lambda Epsilon Chi Honor Society, American Association for Paralegal Education
Sigma Beta Delta International Society for Business, Management, and Administration
News and Insights
Michael E. Wooley
Practice Areas
Industries
Education
University of Michigan Law School
Ann Arbor, Michigan
J.D., 1993
Central Michigan University
Mount Pleasant, Michigan
B.A., magna cum laude, Psychology, 1988
Bar Admissions
Michigan
Court Admissions
All Michigan state courts
Languages
Spanish
Immigration Attorney
Mike focuses his practice on non-immigrant and immigrant business visas, including PERM filings and National Interest Waivers. He serves numerous Michigan-based companies and organizations across the U.S. Mike excels in defending USDOL PERM audits and interfacing with immigration related federal agencies. He advises clients in various industries including mining, financial services, higher education, and a strong emphasis in health care.
Having served as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Ecuador, Mike is fluent in Spanish, both oral and written. He frequently delivers talks on immigration topics to diverse professional organizations and enjoys training clients’ human resources teams.
Honors and Recognitions
Best Lawyers in America®, Immigration Law, 2025
A Lawyer Helps Pro Bono Honor Roll, State Bar of Michigan, Tier 2, 2020-21
Leading Lawyers Magazine Michigan – Immigration Law, 2021
Leading Lawyers Client Distinction Award – Immigration Law: Employment, 2017
Martindale-Hubbell® Client Satisfaction Award, 2013-2016
Top Michigan Lawyers – Immigration, Detroit News, 2006
Professional Affiliations
Michigan Health & Hospital Association, Human Resources and Workforce Council Member, present
American Immigration Lawyers Association, Michigan Chapter, Former Member of the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Liaison Committee; Mentor (2020-Present)
Board of Visitors, Ave Maria School of Law, Ann Arbor, Michigan (2000-2009)
Bay County Bar Association, Board of Directors (1998-2004); President (2002-2003)
Community Involvement
St. Boniface Catholic Church, Bay City, Michigan (1999-Present)
International Association of Lions Clubs, Bay City, Michigan (2008-Present)
New Dimensions, Board member (2007-Present)
Japanese Cultural Center, Tea House and Gardens of Saginaw, Board Member (2011-Present)
Knights of Columbus, Charter Member, St. Stanislaus Kostka Council 12423, Bay City, Michigan (1999-Present); Deputy Grand Knight (2000-2001); Color Corps Member, Bishop Murphy Assembly, Bay City, Michigan (2000-Present)
Great Lakes Bay Regional Alliance, Ambassador (2008-Present)
News and Insights
Amanda L. Hirt
Education
Davenport University
Grand Rapids, MI
Post-Baccalaureate Certificate, 2023
Grand Valley State University
Allendale, Michigan
B.S., 2014
Grand Rapids Community College
Grand Rapids, Michigan
A.A., 2010
Paralegal
Amanda is member of the firm’s Quality Control Team. She prepares matter intake reviews, provides conflict analysis and manages the file screening process when conflicts arise. She provides litigation support to the firm’s General Counsel and assists with file transfers. Amanda serves as an administrator and provides internal support for the firm’s cloud-based new business intake management system.
Amanda has a background in retail and service industries, performing a variety of research and analysis responsibilities.
News and Insights
Christopher J. Biggs
Practice Areas
Industries
Education
Stanford Law School
Palo Alto, California
J.D., 2020
Stanford Environmental Law Journal, Lead Article Editor
University of Michigan
Ann Arbor, Michigan
B.A., highest distinction, Honors English and Environmental Science & Policy, 2016
Phi Beta Kappa
Bar Admissions
Michigan
Court Admissions
All Michigan state courts
Environmental Attorney
C.J. is an associate attorney in the Environmental Practice. He supports members of the team with legal research on environmental and regulatory matters. He has covered Clean Water Act (CWA) and Clean Air Act (CAA) matters as well as PFAS contamination matters in his research and writing.
C.J. has a wide variety of additional experience in environmental and regulatory matters, including serving as a legal extern for the EPA Region 5 Air and Radiation Division. While in law school, he served a fellowship with the Center for Biological Diversity Oceans Program, where he provided research and litigation support. He also served as an intern for the California Department of Justice, Office of the Attorney General – Natural Resources Section, providing extensive legal research on environmental matters. He additionally served as an Environmental Law Clinic student attorney for the Mills Legal Clinic.
Professional Affiliations
Grand Rapids Bar Association
State Bar of Michigan
News and Insights
Francesca L. Parnham
Practice Areas
Education
Michigan State University College of Law
East Lansing, Michigan
J.D., magna cum laude, 2023
Law Review, Executive Board
University of Vermont
Burlington, Vermont
B.A., Business Administration, 2014
Bar Admissions
Michigan
Court Admissions
All Michigan state courts
Attorney
Francesca currently supports the litigation practice team. She is a skilled researcher and is experienced in a wide variety of complex litigation matters, including renewable energy disputes, land disputes, contract disputes and corporate governance/shareholder disputes. She is additionally experienced in labor and employment litigation, including before the National Labor Relations Board.
Francesca additionally has a background in corporate transaction work as well as employment and real estate matters.
Professional Affiliations
State Bar of Michigan
News and Insights
Shelby J. Martinie
Practice Areas
Industries
Education
Michigan State University College of Law
East Lansing, Michigan
J.D., summa cum laude, 2023
The Geoffrey Fieger Trial Practice Institute
University of Colorado
Colorado Springs, Colorado
B.A., magna cum laude, Sociology, 2015
Bar Admissions
Michigan
Court Admissions
All Michigan state courts
Litigation Attorney
Shelby supports Varnum’s Litigation and Trial Practice Team. She focuses on general civil litigation, complex commercial litigation, and criminal litigation. Shelby has experience in a variety of areas, including internal investigations, auto-supply disputes, property matters, and general contract disputes. Shelby has achieved successful results for clients on cases involving non-competition agreements, property disputes, arbitration awards, and defamation claims.
Professional Affiliations
State Bar of Michigan
News and Insights
Hannah A. Cone
Practice Areas
Education
Michigan State University College of Law
East Lansing, Michigan
J.D., magna cum laude, 2023
Law Review, Senior Articles Editor
University of Wisconsin
Madison, Wisconsin
M.B.A., magna cum laude, 2019
Michigan State University Eli Broad College of Business
East Lansing, Michigan
B.A., Human Resource Management, 2017
Bar Admissions
Michigan
Court Admissions
All Michigan state courts
Litigation Attorney
Hannah supports the corporate, labor and employment, and litigation practice teams. Her corporate work includes assisting in M&A transactions and drafting agreements. She supports the labor and employment practice on employment issues, counseling clients on a variety of matters affecting the workspace as well as union relations. Her litigation work focuses on commercial litigation matters.
Professional Affiliations
State Bar of Michigan
News and Insights
Michael P. Puro
Practice Areas
Education
Wayne State University Law School
Detroit, Michigan
J.D., cum laude, 2023
Wayne Law Review, Editor in Chief
Order of the Coif
University of Michigan
Flint, Michigan
B.A., Political Science, 2018
Bar Admissions
Michigan
Court Admissions
All Michigan state courts
Corporate Attorney
Michael is a member of the corporate team, focusing on business and transactional matters. He assists clients with mergers and acquisitions, corporate governance and structuring matters, and securities law compliance. He also advises private equity funds, venture capital firms, financial institutions, emerging companies, and publicly traded businesses at all stages of their development.
Professional Affiliations
State Bar of Michigan