Foster Swift expands west Michigan presence

The Michigan law firm of Foster Swift Collins & Smith PC has added six attorneys and one office location (Holland) to its letterhead. Jack Siebers, Paul Yared, Jennifer Van Regenmorter, Ryan Lamb and Mindi Johnson, formerly of the West Michigan law firm Siebers Mohney PLC join the firm.

With the addition of these individuals, Foster Swift counts 21 attorneys in West Michigan and a total of 105 attorneys in its six offices. (Lansing, Grand Rapids, Farmington Hills, Detroit, Marquette and Holland)

“Expanding our presence in west Michigan is part of our strategic plan” states Gary McRay, Foster Swift President. “Foster Swift opened its first office in Grand Rapids in 2005 with seven attorneys. Just five years later, we have 21 lawyers and have added an office in Holland.”

Everyone involved is excited at the opportunities this new relationship brings. “We are looking forward to being able to provide broader legal resources to our clients with the same high level of personal service” commented Jack Siebers, formerly the managing partner at Siebers Mohney. McRay follows, “The practice areas of the attorneys joining us match up nicely and enhance our capabilities to meet the varying legal needs of West Michigan businesses, local governments and individuals.”

Jack Siebers, Ryan Lamb and Paul Yared join Foster Swift’s Business and Corporate Group and practice in the Grand Rapids office; Jennifer Van Regenmorter and Mindi Johnson join the firm’s Healthcare Practice Group and work in the Holland office while Thomas TerMaat joins the General Litigation Group and is based in Grand Rapids office.

Jack Siebers gained extensive business experience during his 15 years as Vice President, General Counsel, and Secretary of Foremost Corporation of America in Grand Rapids prior to entering private practice. Siebers is a member of the Board of Directors of Fremont Insurance Company. He represented them in a demutualization, converting them to stock-based ownership followed by an initial public offering of stock. Additionally, he possesses unique expertise in Franchise Law representing franchisors, as well as franchisees. He received his undergraduate degree from Hope College, summa cum laude, and earned his law degree from the University of Michigan, with distinction.

Paul Yared’s widespread business experience was gained while serving as counsel for Foremost Corporation of America, a publicly-held insurance holding company, for more than 25 years, with the last 14 years as Senior Vice President, Secretary and General Counsel. Yared has significant experience in general corporate legal and management skills of benefit to most businesses. Yared helped to establish the first privately-insured, manufactured housing pass-through security. He has widespread securities experience having represented clients with several public stock offerings and on-going regulatory compliance. He also represented a publicly traded company in a demutualization, converting the insurer to stock-based ownership where he then represented the stock insurer in an $815 million sale of their business. Yared received his undergraduate degree from Michigan State University and earned his law degree from the University of Denver.

Jennifer Van Regenmorter’s experience covers a wide range of business disciplines, with a particular expertise in health law. She has many years of practice spent representing providers with emphasis in the areas of physicians, hospice, homecare, and long term care, including one of the country’s largest long-term care organizations. She serves on the Board of Directors for the Michigan Hospice and Palliative Care Organization. Van Regenmorter is also knowledgeable in the areas of real estate and estate planning. She is a member of the Real Property Law, Elder Law and Health Care Law Sections of the Michigan State Bar Association; is a member of the Aging Services of Michigan, the Health Care Association of Michigan; the Holland Area Chamber of Commerce, and a member of the American Health Lawyers Association. Van Regenmorter attained her undergraduate degree from Calvin College and received her law degree from Loyola University - Chicago.

Thomas TerMaat practices in the areas of Commercial Litigation, general civil litigation, Transportation and Trucking Law and Premises Liability. TerMaat is also recognized as one of the leading experts in Michigan No-Fault Automobile Insurance Law. He regularly presents seminars to clients on No-Fault issues and is the author of the annually-updated Michigan No-Fault Insurance Outline, First-Party Claims. In 1999, Michigan Lawyers Weekly named one of TerMaat’s cases as one of the most important decisions of the year. He earned his undergraduate degree from Hope College and his law degree from Indiana University.

Ryan Lamb represents a variety of businesses in corporate, general operation, acquisitions, real estate and tax matters. He also advises domestic and foreign clients in both business and personal immigration matters, providing services to domestic corporations, employers of foreign national employees, executives, and individuals. Lamb attained his undergraduate degree in finance at Michigan State University and his law degree from the University of Notre Dame Law School.

Mindi Johnson’s experience covers, in particular, the representation of health care organizations. She assists one of nation’s largest long-term care organizations with regulatory, compliance and contract matters. She earned her undergraduate degree at Calvin College and her law degree at St. Louis University School of Law.

Siebers Mohney’s Grand Rapids office will move into Foster Swift’s newly renovated offices also in Grand Rapids. The Holland location will remain the same, with new signage identifying it as a Foster Swift office.