Varnum is pleased to announce that Scott Dienes has joined the firm’s Real Estate Practice Team as a partner in its Grand Rapids office.

Dienes’ practice focuses on complex real estate projects spanning commercial, industrial, and residential properties that require sophisticated tax, financing, environmental, and municipal components. Over his 30-year career, he has represented a diverse range of clients, including private developers, corporate sponsors, development authorities, school districts, water and sewer authorities, drain commissioners, libraries, and police and fire departments in a variety of real estate and public finance matters – including as bond counsel in MEDC and USDA projects. His recent experience includes significant wind farms, data storage facilities, and EV battery production facilities. He joins the firm from Barnes & Thornburg LLP.

“We are excited to welcome Scott to the Real Estate Practice Team at Varnum,” said Peter Schmidt, partner and leader of the Real Estate Practice Team. “His practical and seasoned approach from his deep experience in real estate focused on land use, government incentives, and financing matters is a value add to our clients, and we look forward to the success he will bring to the firm.”

Dienes has earned widespread recognition for his accomplishments, including being listed in The Best Lawyers in America for Land Use and Zoning since 2021, being named a Top Lawyer by Grand Rapids Magazine from 2021 to 2024, and achieving an AV Preeminent rating from Martindale-Hubbell from 2009.

Outside his practice, Dienes is actively involved in his community and serves on several boards and committees, including the Lake Michigan College Foundation and the City of East Grand Rapids Zoning Board of Appeals.

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