Photo of Stanley J. Stek

Stanley J. Stek

Senior Counsel

Office

T:
+1.616.776.6324
O:
+1.616.454.8656
F:
+1.616.776.6322
LinkedIn
Share

Industries

Education

Valparaiso University School of Law, J.D., 1978

Calvin College, B.A., 1974

Bar Admissions

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.

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)