Education
Steven Stawski graduated from Princeton University, the University of Michigan, and the Michigan State University College of Law–receiving multiple Jurisprudence Achievement Awards.
He served as an Extern for the Hon. David McKeague in the United States Federal District Court for the Western District of Michigan and clerk for the Hon. David Jordon in Michigan’s 54-B District Court.
In New York City at a securities law moot court competition his team won “Best Brief” and advanced to the final round before a panel led by the Hon. Richard Posner of the United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit. The next year Mr. Stawski became the executive director of the law school’s moot court program.
Over the years, those teammates became a judge, the general counsel to the Michigan Supreme Court, and the founders of two law firms.
First Decade
Out of law school, Steven Stawski was hired into one of Michigan’s premier law firms where he became an equity shareholder.
Mr. Stawski developed skillsets in business law, real property law, and litigation by actively collaborating with the firm’s leading business, real property, and litigation lawyers–for a decade.
As routine as a cup of coffee, Mr. Stawski structured transactions, credit facilities, and corporations in the morning and appeared for motions on commercial, real property, and construction law matters in the afternoon.
It was this first decade of large-firm training the prepared Mr. Stawski for the next two decades of practice-and his continued commitment to “give back” to the profession such as his mentor, the namesake of one of Michigan’s most highly-regarded large firms.
Second Decade
In his second decade of practice, Mr. Stawski founded a boutique law office that focuses on closely-held business owners, professionals, and families.
While he enjoyed success with high-profile cases involving the design and construction of the University of Michigan football stadium, the Bridgewater Towers, and representation of regional banking institutions on large-scale projects throughout West Michigan–he most enjoys helping others to achieve their goals in starting and operating local and regional business.
Equally comfortable in the boardroom and the courtroom, Mr. Stawski counsels from experience and delivers practical advice. He understands business from the ground up. Small businesses drive the economy and serve as the pillars for local communities.
Third Decade
Now in his third decade of practice, Steven Stawski enjoys interacting with community leaders, providing counsel on governance matters, and advising on projects that benefit local communities.
For example, Mr. Stawski led the contracting for two major bond-funded expansions of an assisted living community on the campus of a former hospital: one for a new resident wing, restaurant, auditorium, and skilled nursing center, and the other for the development of a new independent living building.
Leadership
As a member of the State Bar of Michigan’s Standing Committee on Civil Procedure and the Courts, Mr. Stawski enjoys collaborating with judges, administrators, and practitioners from across the State of Michigan. He tracks “Best Practices” nationwide.
Recently, he served on a committee with members of the bench, bar, and academia to evaluate proposed amendments to MRE 702 and 703, the Michigan Rules of Evidence governing expert witnesses. The rules were amended effective January 1, 2024.
Steven Stawski is a past president of the Gerald R. Ford Chapter of the American Inns of Court and a past committee co-chair of a State Bar Section.
He volunteered for many years as an expert witness for the Hillman Advocacy Program, inspired by federal judges and leading practitioners who instruct the craft of advocacy with precision year after year.
Mr. Stawski also serves as a court-approved civil mediator.
Steven Stawski, Esq.
Serving Professionals, Business Owners, and Families
Since 1837, Mr. Stawski’s family has been dedicated to public service in Michigan. Over 185 years later, Mr. Stawski is still doing what his family does best: serving others.
