Industries
Education
Valparaiso University School of Law, J.D., 1978
Calvin College, B.A., 1974
Bar Admissions
- Michigan
Court Admissions
U.S. Supreme Court
U.S. Courts of Appeals
- Sixth Circuit
- Eleventh Circuit
U.S. District Courts
- Western District of Michigan
- Eastern District of Michigan
- Northern District of Alabama
Stan Stek focuses on general commercial litigation and eminent domain, with special experience in condemnation and land use litigation, ERISA litigation (fiduciary and benefit claims), commercial litigation, municipal litigation, zoning, public liability, negligence and personal injury.
Through his efforts, he has helped his clients save millions of dollars and avert bankruptcy or outright dissolution. Stan is also experienced in personal injury and tort litigation, and product liability cases.
Representative Matters
Stan has tried condemnation cases where he achieved excellent results in complicated takings for multiple public and private parties including the cities of Grand Rapids, Kentwood, Hudsonville, Cedar Springs, South Haven, Wayland and Portage.
Successfully defended a regional bank from claims of fraudulent activity on the purchase and application of title insurance which resulted in a complete exculpation of the client bank and an award of all attorney fees incurred in defending the bank.
Tried to the court a complicated UFTA claim against individuals, an insurance agency and law firm obtaining an award of more than $3.0 million cumulatively which included awards for contempt of court.
Successfully tried claims against financing bank for the cost to complete a multifaceted construction project after the owner defaulted allowing the client general contractor to be made whole.
Spartan Stores’ favorable result in preserving a long-term lease arrangement by establishing, after a lengthy trial, the right to a late notice of intent to exercise an option renewal. This allowed the client to retain an extremely viable location with projected sales of more than $1 billion.
A complete dismissal of all claims after a four-week trial for a municipal authority in response to claims of PCB contamination liability. The loss of the case would certainly have resulted in the bankruptcy or dissolution of three municipal entities.
A complete recovery after a lengthy commercial arbitration hearing for the seller of a tool and die company who had been advised that the purchase price was being cut by nearly $1 million.
Authority for the city of Sparta, Mich., to re-establish control over the Sparta City Airport from its prior manager, after a lengthy trial established that the existing management had materially breached the terms of its long-term management agreement.
Honors
State Bar of Michigan Pro Bono Honor Roll, 2020-present
Best Lawyers in America:
2019 & 2022 Grand Rapids Personal Injury Litigation – Defendants Lawyer of the Year
2014, 2017 & 2018 Grand Rapids Municipal Litigation Lawyer of the Year
2015 Grand Rapids Banking and Finance Litigation Lawyer of the Year
Commercial Litigation, Eminent Domain and Condemnation Law, Banking & Finance Litigation, Construction Litigation, Municipal Litigation, and Personal Injury Litigation – Defendants, 2012-present
Leading Lawyers, Commercial Litigation; Land Use, Zoning & Condemnation; Personal Injury Defense: General, 2022-present
Grand Rapids Magazine, Top Lawyers, Personal Injury, 2019; Land Use and Zoning, 2022
Michael S. Barnes Award in Recognition of Pro Bono Service, Legal Aid of Western Michigan, 2017
National Association of Distinguished Counsel (Top 1 Percent), 2015
Leading Lawyers in Michigan, 2014-present
Michigan Super Lawyers, Litigation, 2006-present
City of Walker's "Person of the Year" Award, 2007
Valparaiso University School of Law, Law Review, 1976-77, Editor-in-Chief, 1977-78
Professional Activities
American Bar Association
State Bar of Michigan, Public Law Section; Negligence Law Section
Grand Rapids Bar Association, Past Chairman, Lawyers Referral and Information Services Committee; Litigation Section; Family Law Section
Federal Bar Association, Western District of Michigan
Michigan Defense Lawyers' Association
Defense Research Institute
International Right-of-Way Association
Civic, Cultural & Social Activities
Kent County Board of Commissioners, Chair, 2022-Present; Member, 2015-Present
Association for Public Justice, National Board Member, 1989-92
State Court Mediator
Grandville Christian School, Board Member, 1999-2002
Jubilee Jobs (Nonprofit agency working with the chronically unemployed), Founding Member; Board Member, Treasurer, 1994
Kent County Action Corp (nonprofit housing action agency), Board Member, 1982-87
Classis Grand Rapids East, Social Justice Committee, 1987
Home Repair Service of Kent County (Nonprofit housing action group), Founding Board Member 1979; Board President, 1982-94; Board Secretary, 1994-98; Capital Campaign Executive Committee, 1998-00
Wedgwood Christian Youth and Family Services, Board Member, 2000-present; Board Chairperson, 2005-Present
Association of Walker Neighborhoods, Inc. (Community neighborhood association), Board Member and Founder, 2002-Present
Walker Police and Fire Association, Board Member, 2004-Present
Edison House Foundation, Board Member and Founder, 2005-Present
Walker Historical Commission, Chairperson
Integrity Educational Services, Chairperson Board of Directors
Network180, Board Member, 2015-Present
SUD Overnight Policy Board, 2015-Present
Senior Millage Advisory Board, 2015-Present
Millennium Park Advisory Board, 2015-Present
Legislative and Human Resources Committee, 2015-Present
Standing Rules Committee, 2015-Present
Lakeshore Regional Entity, Chairperson, 2016-Present
Teaching
Institute for Paralegal Studies, Taught Torts, Civil Procedure, and Legal Research, 1980-90
Calvin College, Interim Guest Lecturer on Litigation Practice 2014, 2015
Speeches
"Integration in Public Health," Grand Valley Health Forum, 2016
Calvin College Guest Lecture on Litigation Practice, 2014, 2015
"Current Issues in Condemnation," International Right of Way Association, Michigan Chapter 7, Grand Rapids, Michigan, May 12, 2011
"Litigating the Right to Die," Institute of Continuing Legal Education, 1994
"Dispositive Motions," National Business Institute, 1993
"Use of Demonstrative Aids in Trial," Grand Rapids Bar Association, 1985
Publications
"Michigan Real Estate Litigation Practice Guide" (co-author), Laches, Lexis Nexis, 2016
"Paralegals or Legal Assistants?" Nota Bene, 1983
"FTC Preservation of Consumer Claims and Defenses: Consumer Security or Consumer Fraud," 11 Val. U. Law Rev. (1978)