Stanley J. Stek

Experience

Stan obtained a favorable result for Spartan Stores 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.

In other cases, Stan obtained:

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.

“I have tried condemnation cases where I 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.”

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

Honors + Awards

• Valparaiso University School of Law, Law Review, 1976-77, Editor-in-Chief, 1977-78
• Best Lawyers in America, Commercial Litigation 2007-2009
• Michigan Super Lawyers, Litigation 2006-2008
• City of Walker's "Person of the Year" Award 2007

Civic, Cultural + Social Activities

• 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 Houser Foundation, Board Member and Founder, 2005-present

Religious Activities

• Fuller Avenue Christian Reformed Church, Deacon and President of Deacons, 1987-90
• First Reformed Church of Grandville, Michigan, Long-range Planning Committee, 1997-00

Teaching Experience

• Institute for Paralegal Studies, Taught Torts, Civil Procedure, and Legal Research, 1980-90

Publications

"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)

Speeches

"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