Varnum attorney Jamie Downes named to Humane Society of West Michigan board of directors

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Grand Rapids, MI  August, 2015 –  Varnum estate planning attorney Jamie A. Downes was recently elected to the board of directors for Humane Society of West Michigan. Her three-year term begins this month.

Downes is a member of Varnum's Estate Planning group, assisting clients in family and individual wealth and estate planning. She has a strong background in tax planning and compliance issues, and provided private client tax services at a major accounting firm prior to joining Varnum. Downes formerly lived and worked in the Chicago area for several years, where she was active in the community by serving as a fundraiser for Susan G. Komen for the Cure and PAWS Chicago.

After attending Michigan State University where she received her B.A. in Finance with honors, Downes went to Chicago-Kent College of Law for her J.D.

She is a member of the Western Michigan Estate Planning Council.

The mission of the HSWM is to promote the humane treatment and responsible care of animals in West Michigan through education, example, placement and protection. The Society is more than 130 years old, having first been organized in 1883 by a group of citizens who housed the animals in private homes and veterinarian clinics.

The shelter is currently located at 3077 Wilson Drive NW and serves about 8,000 animals annually. It is a limited admission shelter, which means that the number of animals it takes in is restricted —  based solely on space capacity — in order to continue providing the best care and shelter.

HSWM is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization and is 100% donor funded.