Following his education at the University of Michigan Law School and his coveted high court judicial clerkship appointments on the Michigan Supreme Court and the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit in Philadelphia PA, Steve became a highly respected trial associate at an international law firm where he achieved economic justice for a major US-Canada business enterprise in litigation against the Province of Ontario and State of Michigan involving sales and fuel taxes. Next came his representation of the State of Michigan in the largest bankruptcy in the history of Canada, in which he achieved successful progress following more than 10 years of others’ frustration.

Steve collaborated with Lisa Chou Hwang in Shanghai, S.A.R., China in which he, as corporate counsel, structured the presence of a Chinese manufacturing giant in the United States for wind-energy development and generation.

Steve negotiated and structured complex commercial contracts involving: the multi-million dollar acquisition of industrial facility by his client for salvage purposes; a 1031 property exchange involving a noted former manufacturing facility; and a multitude of re-zoning matters, municipal and governmental hearings, successfully seeking approvals for business and property use variances and licensing, respectively, prefatorily required and necessary to the origination of businesses, hybrid enterprises, and real estate developments.

Steve created a domestic securities syndication in which negotiated and drafted contracts with foreign and domestic corporations relative to his client’s multi-million dollar acquisition of real estate, incremental leasing of provincially owned land, and development and operation of a luxury hotel in a foreign location.

Steve was involved in the creation of cross-border entities; assessment and implementation of practices relative to foreign and domestic taxes and other liability concerns; and the ongoing use of the various foreign and domestic business entities in full compliance with respective requirements, including annual reporting. The business required initial analysis of projected cash flow relative to debt and equity needs, ongoing legal and business oversight, and counseling.

Steve successfully litigated against two municipalities concerning a defective special assessment district (aka “SAD”). The case originated in both the state tax tribunal and county circuit court. The successful verdict has had positive ramifications state-wide in how townships and municipalities give residents notice that a SAD is being established.

Steve has continuously and successfully defended persons charged with embezzlement, fraud, misrepresentation, and extortion.

Steve recently represented a consortium of related entertainment enterprises, which were collectively charged with substantial employment compliance issues and violations cited by the U.S. Department of Labor, claiming millions in violations and fines. The investigation and claims were dismissed following the extensive discovery.