Supporting Workforce Growth: Legal Expertise Helps Local Businesses Access and Retain Talent

Varnum LLP Partner Michael Wooley Supports Michigan Employers Through Strategic Counsel 

Michael E. Wooley, Partner at Varnum LLP, is helping employers across the Great Lakes Bay Region navigate the complex immigration pathways that allow businesses to legally employ non-U.S. citizens and retain top global talent.  

Wooley has practiced immigration law since 1996 and joined Varnum LLP in 2024, continuing his long-standing work advising employers on employment-based immigration, compliance, and long-term workforce planning. He has been recognized by Best Lawyers in America since 2025, along with additional acknowledgments from Grand Rapids Magazine, Martindale-Hubbell, Leading Lawyers Magazine, and Detroit News. 

Wooley actively serves employers throughout the Great Lakes Bay Region from his workspace at Central Michigan University Research Corporation (CMURC), a regional business accelerator and coworking hub. He has developed connections with local businesses, community partners, and workforce organizations seeking support in accessing and retaining skilled talent. 

CMURC’s entrepreneurial ecosystem is designed to connect local businesses with highly experienced professionals, such as Wooley. 

“Organizations often approach me about a physician or researcher finishing residency or a fellowship. From there, I balance three to five federal agencies within a single case. Sometimes the agencies cooperate, sometimes their rules collide, and I have to untangle the conflicts so the employer can lawfully hire the candidate,” said Wooley. “Most of these individuals want to stay in America, so I guide them through temporary status and then into permanent residency. Many return years later to work with me again on U.S. citizenship.” 

As one of the nation's top immigration lawyers, Wooley’s services help Michigan businesses to access and retain a diverse, global workforce.  

“One of CMURC’s core roles is connecting businesses with the expertise they need to grow,” said CMURC President + CEO Erin Strang. “Michael brings decades of highly specialized legal experience to our region, and that expertise strengthens our business ecosystem by helping employers access and retain the talent they need to compete.” 

Employers can schedule a consultation with Varnum LLP at varnumlaw.com or listen to the ELM podcast to hear Wooley discuss the importance of immigration law. Learn more about CMURC programs at cmurc.com.