Education
University of Michigan Law School, J.D., 1982
Kalamazoo College, A.B., 1978
Bar Admissions
- Indiana
- Michigan
Steve Stankewicz's practice centers on business and real estate transactions, focusing primarily on the sale, purchase or leasing of property by businesses, universities, hospitals and governmental bodies.
He is also experienced in mergers, acquisitions and other transactions involving the sale or acquisition of businesses, with participation in over 250 transactions ranging in size from $250,000 to $580 million. Steve also has expertise in corporate securities, banking and lending, shareholder disputes, investment advisors, high-tech ventures, and university law.
Representative Matters
University Law
- Purchase, sale, lease and development of business, commercial and residential properties for universities
- Release of legislative restrictions on property
- Public/private partnerships for dormitories
- Property tax exemptions
- Foundation and endowment issues
Merger and Acquisition Transactions
- Acquisition/sale of several automobile parts suppliers
- Charter school wind-down
- Acquisition/sale of marinas
- Acquisition of bank branches
- Acquisition/sale of a civil engineering firm, veterinary practice, and physician and dental practices
- Acquisition/sale of retail businesses, restaurant/bars, hair salon and athletic club
- Acquisition/sale of radio stations
- Acquisition/sale of paper companies, including out of bankruptcy proceedings
- Acquisition/sale of tool & die/metal fabricating businesses
- Acquisition/sale of gas stations
- Acquisition/sale of funeral homes
- Acquisition/sale of fruit tree nursery and farms
Real Estate Transactions
- 1031 Exchanges
- Buying/selling commercial real estate
- Buying/selling residential and vacation properties
- Sale of 60+ multi-state commercial properties in single transaction
Lending Transactions
- Numerous loan transactions on behalf of banks and borrowers
- 50+ opinion letters for financing and acquisitions in Michigan, Indiana and Ohio
- 20+ subordinated debt financings
- 18+ venture capital financing and startup financings
Shareholder Dispute Representation
- Appraisal remedy action on behalf of forced out shareholder
- Arbitration of physician/shareholder separation from large practice group
- Numerous shareholder disputes and separations
In a complicated and innovative transaction, led an interdisciplinary team to create a new medical school in Michigan. The project involved forming a not for profit corporation involving a university, two hospitals, and a privately funded donation of $100 million.
Honors
Best Lawyers in America, Real Estate, 2012-present; 2014 Kalamazoo Real Estate Lawyer of the Year
University of Michigan Law School, Managing Editor, Journal of Law Reform Note: Implied Private Rights of Action under the Securities Act of 1933, Section 17(a), 14 U.Mich. J.L. Ref. 563 (1981)
Professional Activities
American Bar Association, Business Law Section
State Bar of Michigan, 1986-present; Corporation & Business Law Section; Real Property Law Section
State Bar of Indiana, 1982-present
Kalamazoo Bar Association
Civic, Cultural & Social Activities
Former Little League baseball, youth basketball and youth hockey coach
Kalamazoo Hospital Hospitality House, Former Director
Junior Achievement/Kalamazoo & Van Buren Counties, Former Director
Friends of Western Michigan University
Publications
"Introduction to Shareholders' Agreements and Management Control Issues," Coauthor, ICLE Course Handbook, November 1993
"Formation and Operation of a BIDCO," Coauthor, 69:1 Michigan Bar Journal 26, January 1990
"Comparison of Liability and Indemnification of Directors, Officers, and others under Delaware Law, Prior Michigan Law, and the Recently Adopted Amendment to Michigan Law," Coauthor, 9 Journal 102 (Fall 1986) (State Bar Corporation Finance and Business Law Section)
"Charting the Antitrust Minefields," May 1984 (Materials used at hospital law seminar).
