Carolyn Sullivan, pictured with daughter Emma and husband Michael, was recently elected to serve as president for the Grand Rapids Bar Association’s Young Lawyers Section.
Carolyn Sullivan, pictured with daughter Emma, is a labor and employment and employee benefits attorney in Varnum’s Grand Rapids office.
By Julie Freer
Legal News
Carolyn Sullivan first became involved with the Grand Rapids Bar Association in 2021, then joined the Young Lawyers Section in 2022. Over the past few years, she has served the Young Lawyers Section as its treasurer and vice president.
It is a natural progression, then, that Sullivan was recently elected to serve as 2025-26 president for the YLS.
“From nearly the beginning, I had the intent to serve in the president role at some point because this organization is important to me and to our legal community,” said Sullivan, a labor and employment and employee benefits attorney in Varnum’s Grand Rapids office. “I’m grateful that my colleagues had confidence in me for this role.”
A graduate of Michigan State University College of Law, Sullivan was getting her legal career started when the COVID-19 pandemic hit. The YLS and GRBA helped Sullivan grow her legal network and find opportunities to connect with different areas of the legal and broader Grand Rapids community.
“The best part of the Young Lawyers Section is the networking and community it provides for newly practicing lawyers,” said Sullivan.
The YLS is for attorneys age 36 and younger, as well as attorneys who have been practicing for five or fewer years in the Grand Rapids area.
“I hope to provide opportunities for new lawyers to connect, share experiences, and form relationships that help us all succeed in our careers and serve as lasting friendships,” said Sullivan. “So many GRBA members have told me that the YLS events have had a lifelong impact on them and that some of their closest friends have come from this group, and I want to help perpetuate that legacy.”
The inspiration to go into law
Sullivan grew up on the northeast side of Grand Rapids with her older brother and mom, who worked as the controller of a family-owned company and also taught English classes at a university. When she was in high school, Sullivan thought she wanted to be a lawyer, then decided she was interested in the medical field.
“It did not take me long in college at [Grand Valley State University] to realize that I had gotten it right the first time and law was my true interest,” said Sullivan.
Her mom, Antoinette Surbeck, served as a role model and taught her to be an advocate for herself and others and to speak up when she felt something was not right.
“She also taught me how to listen and hold my thoughts in reserve until I understood and processed what I heard or saw,” said Sullivan. “This skill has been a major necessity in my career, allowing me to determine what questions need to be asked to approach the root of a problem after processing all information.”
Education and experiences
Sullivan earned her bachelor’s degree in English language and literature in 2016 at GVSU, where she also met her husband, Michael Sullivan, now the Elections Director for Kent County.
During her junior year at GVSU, Sullivan participated in a study abroad trip in Ormskirk, United Kingdom for a month studying literature with a small group of students.
“I am a huge Brit-lit fan, so taking a weekend trip to Haworth to visit the Bronte parsonage was a beautiful experience for me,” said Sullivan.
While at MSU Law, Sullivan spent time in the Chance at Childhood Clinic, a certificate program offered jointly by the MSU School of Social Work and the MSU College of Law. It is intended to cross-train law and social work students interested in legal advocacy on behalf of children and families.
“While I do not practice family law, this clinic was unique and allowed me to work with an MSW student and review custody and guardianship arrangements, testify in court, provide self-help services at the courthouse, and provide supervised parenting time,” said Sullivan. “This gave me opportunities I would not have otherwise had and exposure to different communities and needs, and helped me navigate difficult conversations and situations with families of different shapes and sizes.”
Work, play and volunteerism
Sullivan began working at Varnum in 2023, and within the Labor & Employment group, enjoys advising clients on compliance issues and conducting workplace investigations. In the Employee Benefits realm, she enjoys working through novel research issues under federal laws such as ERISA and advising on Affordable Care Act compliance.
“My favorite thing about working at Varnum overall is the people I work with,” said Sullivan. “The most challenging thing is staying apprised of the ever-changing legal landscape in both areas of my practice – it requires a strong dedication and regular attention to reviewing articles, statutes, proposed rules, and guidance. However, this is also one of the things that makes my job so interesting.”
Sullivan and her husband are the proud parents of 10-month-old Emma. The family makes their home in Grandville, with their yellow Labrador named Locke.
“I love spending time with my family, going to Frederik Meijer Gardens, hiking, traveling, and reading,” said Sullivan. “One of my favorite things right now is watching my daughter try new foods!”
Sullivan also serves on the Board for Directors for Habitat for Humanity - Kent County, which she’s found to be an incredible experience.
“This organization does fantastic work in the community, and touches many more people’s lives than many of us realize,” said Sullivan.
She also serves as secretary for the Women Lawyers Association of Michigan, Western Region.
“There is no substitute for having the friends and contacts I’ve made through serving on the YLS board and the WLAM Region board, and there is no substitute for the learning experiences and community connection I feel as a result of serving on the Habitat Board,” said Sullivan. “These experiences are entirely different, and having a variety of experiences is important to me as a lifelong Grand Rapids-area resident and for developing my career here.”
Legal News
Carolyn Sullivan first became involved with the Grand Rapids Bar Association in 2021, then joined the Young Lawyers Section in 2022. Over the past few years, she has served the Young Lawyers Section as its treasurer and vice president.
It is a natural progression, then, that Sullivan was recently elected to serve as 2025-26 president for the YLS.
“From nearly the beginning, I had the intent to serve in the president role at some point because this organization is important to me and to our legal community,” said Sullivan, a labor and employment and employee benefits attorney in Varnum’s Grand Rapids office. “I’m grateful that my colleagues had confidence in me for this role.”
A graduate of Michigan State University College of Law, Sullivan was getting her legal career started when the COVID-19 pandemic hit. The YLS and GRBA helped Sullivan grow her legal network and find opportunities to connect with different areas of the legal and broader Grand Rapids community.
“The best part of the Young Lawyers Section is the networking and community it provides for newly practicing lawyers,” said Sullivan.
The YLS is for attorneys age 36 and younger, as well as attorneys who have been practicing for five or fewer years in the Grand Rapids area.
“I hope to provide opportunities for new lawyers to connect, share experiences, and form relationships that help us all succeed in our careers and serve as lasting friendships,” said Sullivan. “So many GRBA members have told me that the YLS events have had a lifelong impact on them and that some of their closest friends have come from this group, and I want to help perpetuate that legacy.”
The inspiration to go into law
Sullivan grew up on the northeast side of Grand Rapids with her older brother and mom, who worked as the controller of a family-owned company and also taught English classes at a university. When she was in high school, Sullivan thought she wanted to be a lawyer, then decided she was interested in the medical field.
“It did not take me long in college at [Grand Valley State University] to realize that I had gotten it right the first time and law was my true interest,” said Sullivan.
Her mom, Antoinette Surbeck, served as a role model and taught her to be an advocate for herself and others and to speak up when she felt something was not right.
“She also taught me how to listen and hold my thoughts in reserve until I understood and processed what I heard or saw,” said Sullivan. “This skill has been a major necessity in my career, allowing me to determine what questions need to be asked to approach the root of a problem after processing all information.”
Education and experiences
Sullivan earned her bachelor’s degree in English language and literature in 2016 at GVSU, where she also met her husband, Michael Sullivan, now the Elections Director for Kent County.
During her junior year at GVSU, Sullivan participated in a study abroad trip in Ormskirk, United Kingdom for a month studying literature with a small group of students.
“I am a huge Brit-lit fan, so taking a weekend trip to Haworth to visit the Bronte parsonage was a beautiful experience for me,” said Sullivan.
While at MSU Law, Sullivan spent time in the Chance at Childhood Clinic, a certificate program offered jointly by the MSU School of Social Work and the MSU College of Law. It is intended to cross-train law and social work students interested in legal advocacy on behalf of children and families.
“While I do not practice family law, this clinic was unique and allowed me to work with an MSW student and review custody and guardianship arrangements, testify in court, provide self-help services at the courthouse, and provide supervised parenting time,” said Sullivan. “This gave me opportunities I would not have otherwise had and exposure to different communities and needs, and helped me navigate difficult conversations and situations with families of different shapes and sizes.”
Work, play and volunteerism
Sullivan began working at Varnum in 2023, and within the Labor & Employment group, enjoys advising clients on compliance issues and conducting workplace investigations. In the Employee Benefits realm, she enjoys working through novel research issues under federal laws such as ERISA and advising on Affordable Care Act compliance.
“My favorite thing about working at Varnum overall is the people I work with,” said Sullivan. “The most challenging thing is staying apprised of the ever-changing legal landscape in both areas of my practice – it requires a strong dedication and regular attention to reviewing articles, statutes, proposed rules, and guidance. However, this is also one of the things that makes my job so interesting.”
Sullivan and her husband are the proud parents of 10-month-old Emma. The family makes their home in Grandville, with their yellow Labrador named Locke.
“I love spending time with my family, going to Frederik Meijer Gardens, hiking, traveling, and reading,” said Sullivan. “One of my favorite things right now is watching my daughter try new foods!”
Sullivan also serves on the Board for Directors for Habitat for Humanity - Kent County, which she’s found to be an incredible experience.
“This organization does fantastic work in the community, and touches many more people’s lives than many of us realize,” said Sullivan.
She also serves as secretary for the Women Lawyers Association of Michigan, Western Region.
“There is no substitute for having the friends and contacts I’ve made through serving on the YLS board and the WLAM Region board, and there is no substitute for the learning experiences and community connection I feel as a result of serving on the Habitat Board,” said Sullivan. “These experiences are entirely different, and having a variety of experiences is important to me as a lifelong Grand Rapids-area resident and for developing my career here.”
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