Jon D. VanderPloeg
Appellate Attorney – Of Counsel
Jennifer Smith, Paralegal
Jon VanderPloeg has nearly 50 years of legal experience. During his expansive career, he has concentrated on appellate practice in the Michigan Court of Appeals, the Michigan Supreme Court, and the Federal 6th Circuit Court of Appeals. Jon has handled hundreds of cases in those courts and has obtained numerous decisions of significance for Michigan jurisprudence.
Appellate work focuses on written and oral advocacy, and Jon has concentrated on those skills to be a persuasive advocate without hyperbole. His goal is to have judges respect the integrity of his presentation when urging the facts and the law, and for his arguments to be as persuasive as possible. His legal tactician and advocate skills have application throughout the legal landscape.
Jon and his wife Pam are regular teachers at the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI), hosted at Aquinas College. Jon has obsessively gathered a music record collection numbering in the thousands. He has lectured on the history of jazz, blues, rhythm and blues, gospel, soul, country, and rock and roll, and always within the context of music as a reflection and a shaper of societal attitudes. Jon’s other passion is residential remodeling and construction, including work on their home in Pentwater.
Education
Hope College
Bachelor of Arts, magna cum laude
Holland, MI
Indiana University
School of Law
J.D., magna cum laude
Bloomington, IN
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Bar Admissions
- Michigan
Court Admissions
- Western District Michigan Federal Court
- 6th Circuit Court of Appeals
- US Supreme Court
- Grand Rapids African American Museum and Archives, Former Vice President and Member of Board of Directors
- Oceana County Community Foundation, Board of Trustees
- Indiana University of Law Order of the Coif
- Indiana University School of Law, Journal Editor
Presentations
- “The Republican Home Front vs. Frank McKay – 30-Year Reign and Takedown of Michigan’s Most Notorious Political Boss,” Historical Society of Michigan, June 2024
- “The Republican Home Front vs. Frank McKay,” Grand Rapids Public Library History Detectives, January 2024
- “Emmett Bolden vs. Grand Rapids Operating Company (Keith Theatre)” Grand Rapids Public Library History Detectives, January 2023
Recent publications from the Hilger Hammond Blog:
New Clarity and Stricter Rules for MRTA Preservation
Governor Whitmer recently signed legislation amending the Michigan Marketable Record Title Act (MRTA). The amendment clarifies specific MRTA exceptions and provides property owners an extended deadline to record a "Notice of Claim” to retain property interests such as easements or restrictions that do not fall within the amendment’s exceptions.
Don’t Wake the Sleeping Dog of Repeat MIOSHA Citations
When an OTS ("Other-than-Serious") citation is issued, it can be tempting to view it as a cost of doing business and simply pay the relatively low penalty amount and move on. However, employers should always consider the merits of the citation and the likelihood your company could be cited
Why Workplace Safety Isn’t Just a Regulation, It’s a Business Imperative
In today’s dynamic business environment, prioritizing workplace safety is not just about adhering to regulations but also ensuring your employees avoid catastrophic injuries and make it home at the end of the day. Secondly, it is a fundamental aspect of responsible business operations and a crucial driver of long-term
Hilger Hammond Intern Tyler Penlerick
In the summer of 2025, we had the pleasure of welcoming a dynamite intern - Tyler Penlerick. Here is his "report" of how he spent his summer internship.
Top 2025 Michigan Lawyer Awards
We are honored to have had several Hilger Hammond attorneys receive some of the top Michigan awards recognizing legal excellence in 2025. Learn more about who won and for what here.
Court Pauses Michigan Energy Efficient Building Codes Amid Legal Challenge
On July 7, Judge James Robert Redford issued an Order staying implementation of the Residential Building Code and Michigan Uniform Energy Code updates. The proposed updates in question were aiming to increase energy efficiency in homes. Learn more about the allegations of improper "cost-effective" analysis and the implications it
Supreme Court Upholds Limitations on Michigan Short Term Rentals
On Wednesday, July 9, 2025 the Michigan Supreme Court affirmed the Michigan Court of Appeals’ ruling from July of 2023 “by equal division of the Court”, meaning that a majority of the Justices did not reach a common basis for resolution. This leaves the Court of Appeals decision intact
Senate Bill 49 creates more Ambiguity for the Timely Issuance of MIOSHA Citations
Proposed Senate Bill 49 revises various sections of the Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Act (Act), including §33, the section that addresses the time frame by which MIOSHA must issue a citation after an inspection. Unfortunately, SB 49, does nothing to nail down the outside limits of when
Corporate Transparency Act Updates – 2025
Changes to the enforceability and reporting requirements of the Corporate Transparency Act are evolving monthly! In this blog post, Hilger Hammond attorneys Jill Miller and Ron Reynolds track, evaluate, and explain these changes in real-time and provide legal insight into how they could affect your business operations.
New Legal Challenges to FTC Non-Compete Ban
On August 20, 2024, a federal district judge in Texas issued a ruling blocking implementation of the Federal Trade Commission's (FTC) Rule banning non-compete agreements on a nationwide basis; concluding that the FTC lacked statutory authority to promulgate the Rule. Learn more about what this ruling means for Michigan