Steve focuses his practice on general civil and commercial litigation.  He has successfully litigated numerous contractual and business disputes and has significant experience in the litigation of complex shareholder/member disputes.  In addition, Steve’s experience includes the litigation of major personal injury, divorce, and collection-of-debt actions, as well as assisting in estate planning, business formation, and real estate matters.  He has practiced in both state and federal courts throughout Michigan, arguing numerous dispositive motions as well as conducting both bench and jury trials. 

Representative Experience

• Member of trial team that recovered $8 million jury verdict for client in commercial litigation/business tort lawsuit.  The verdict was the highest reported verdict in Michigan for 2010, and believed to be the highest in Kent County Circuit Court history  [Ward v. Idsinga]
• Assisted in obtaining unanimous Michigan Supreme Court decision invalidating parental pre-injury waivers, permitting client’s child to recover for injuries sustained at the defendant’s establishment [Woodman v. Kera d/b/a Bounce Party]
• Obtained dismissal of complaint for client sued under the Uniform Commercial Code in a case arising out of the sale of a recreational vehicle [HRL v. Terry Town]
• Arbitrated breach of contract dispute and obtained award for full amount of damages sustained by client

• Represented agent in sales commission dispute, obtaining favorable six-figure settlement of claim under Michigan’s Sales Representative Act

Honors and Awards

• Selected for inclusion in Michigan Super Lawyers – Rising Stars in the business litigation field, a designation given to less than 2.5 percent of the lawyers in the state
• Valparaiso University School of Law: Law Review member, graduate of Honors Program (full-ride scholarship and advanced course requirements), Class Honors in Civil Procedure, Uniform Commercial Code: Sales and Secured Transactions, Medical Malpractice, and Legal Process
• Hope College: Phi Beta Kappa, George F. Baker Scholar, Washington D.C. Honors Semester participant, Dean’s List every semester

Professional and Community Associations

• Grand Rapids Bar Association
• State Bar of Michigan

Bar Admission

Michigan
Illinois

Education

Valparaiso University School of Law, Juris Doctor, summa cum laude, 2006
Hope College, Bachelor of the Arts - Business Management, summa cum laude, 2003

 

Email
Direct 616.233.5155
vCard