Our Experience

Headshot of Hilger Hammond Lawyer Jon Vanderploeg

Jon D. VanderPloeg

Appellate Attorney – Of Counsel 

Email

616-450-0952

616-284-3067

V-Card

Danielle Mier, Paralegal

Email

616-726-0952

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

      Recent publications from the Hilger Hammond Blog:

      New Legal Challenges to FTC Non-Compete Ban

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      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

      Hilger Hammond Attorneys Ben Hammond, Ron Reynolds, Aileen Leipprandt, Jill Miller, and Stacey Knowles pose together at the State Bar of Michigan's Reap Property Law Section (RPLS) 2024 summer conference where attorney Ron Reynolds won a prestigious award recognizing his many years of service in Michigan property and eminent domain law.

      Michigan Real Property Law Section: Summer Conference – 2024

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      The State Bar of Michigan Real Property Law Section (RPLS) Summer Conference was held July 17-20 at the Grand Traverse Resort. Hundreds of lawyers from across the state met at the annual conference to discuss significant legal issues including 5 attorneys from Hilger Hammond: Ben Hammond, Aileen Leipprandt, Stacey

      A man is slipping and falling near a 'caution: wet floor' sign

      Michigan Overturns Open & Obvious Law

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      New changes to the Michigan Open & Obvious Law leave Michigan property owners open to more liability lawsuits. Learn more about the comparative fault doctrine and how to protect your business.