Education

University of Detroit School of Law, J.D., 1991, cum laude

Michigan State University, B.A., 1987

Bar and Court Admissions

Michigan

U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan

U.S. District Court for the Western District of Michigan

Andrew C. Vredenburg
Shareholder
T: 616.726.2234
Photo of Andrew C. Vredenburg Photo of Andrew C. Vredenburg
Grand Rapids
1700 East Beltline, N.E.
,
Suite 200
Grand Rapids, MI 49525-7044
T: 616.726.2234
F: 616.726.6834

Andrew C. Vredenburg

Shareholder

Andy joined the firm in 2006 after spending 15 years in private practice, including 6 years as in-house counsel for a Grand Rapids family-owned company. His current practice focuses on assisting small to mid-size businesses ($2 million to $50 million dollar annual revenue range).  Andy is the current chair of the Commercial Litigation practice group.  He handles just about any facet of what it takes to run a business profitably from day to day.  Legal matters that Andy routinely handles for his clients include:

  • Business disputes, involving contracts, partnerships and shareholders agreements, employee non-competes, settlement agreements and claims made by private and public entities against his clients.
  • Real estate and environmental law, including all aspects of the sale and purchase of real property for both commercial and residential land.  Over the years, Andy has supervised environmental assessments, due diligence and remediation activities involving wetlands, landfills and contaminated properties.  He is actively involved in the representation of two Michigan landfills.
  • Collection and commercial ligation, including pursuing lawsuits and judgments on behalf of his business clients.  Andy has experience with the recovery of property, post-judgment collection activities, claims for failure to pay on contracts and defending commercial claims against his clients. 
  • Construction litigation and development, including business planning for contractors and developers.  Andy has prepared contracts, construction liens and pursued foreclosure actions, for his many construction clients.
  • Corporate counsel, which involves assisting business clients with business planning and the growth of their businesses.  He has prepared corporate documents and contracts, handled mergers and acquisitions and has helped obtain real and personal business property for his clients.  Often, he offers counsel for both personal and business matters when asked by business owners. 

“I bring a broad background in the law to my clients,” Andy explains, “with a common sense approach to resolving problems. I also do this in a cost effective manner.”

Andy is also a sought after speaker.  He has spoken on a variety of complex and diverse business issues, including the “Consumer Protection Act and Automobile Dealership Requirements,” “Regulation and Development of Wetlands for the Commercial Real Estate Developer and Contractor,” and “Bankruptcy, From A Creditor’s Perspective.”

Representative Matters

  • After a restaurant fire in GreekTown, Michigan, a subcontractor was accused of improperly constructing an exhaust vent for an oven.  Andy successfully defended the sub, minimizing their exposure and liability to the owner of the building and its insurer.
  • In 1999, he successfully had an employment discrimination case against Pitsch Companies in Grand Rapids, Michigan dismissed under Michigan’s Elliot Larsen Act. 
  • He successfully defended at trial a Grand Rapids business accused of violating the Michigan Trade Secret Act and a Covenant Not to Compete. 
  • In 2008, he represented a large West Michigan company in a merger with another large West Michigan company involving assets that exceeded $50 million.
  • He has successfully tried more than 25 cases to verdict before both juries and judges involving contract and business claims.
  • In 2010, he successfully argued a motion for summary disposition and was granted a dismissal of a $2.4 million conversion claim brought against a business client.
  • In 2010, he obtained a verdict of "no-cause of action" following a two day bench trial on a sales commission claim brought by a former sales representative against a business client.  He was also awarded attorney fees in that case.

News

Speaking Engagements

Publications

Memberships & Affiliations

Legal Affiliations:
  • American Bar Association
  • State Bar of Michigan
  • Grand Rapids Bar Association
  • American Inns of Court
Community Involvement:
  • Cannon Township
    • Planning Commission Member and Vice Chair
    • Cannon Township, Zoning Board of Appeals Chair
    • Cannon Township Recreation, Committee Member
  • Metro Hospital Institutional Review Board Member 
  • YMCA, Lowell Branch, Former Board Member 
  • Schrems West Michigan Trout Unlimited, Former Board Member