



STEVE CRANE JR. IS A HIGHLY EXPERIENCED, RESPECTED SUCCESSFUL PROBLEM-SOLVING LITIGATOR
Steve’s legal career and accomplishments have been one of continued outstanding success. He went to one of the nation’s finest law schools. A joint best lawyers/U.S. News ranking of law schools by law firm recruiters placed Michigan law in a fourth-place tie with Columbia, behind only Harvard, Stanford, and Yale.
Steve enjoyed prized judicial clerkships. Michigan supreme court and the United States Court of Appeals for the 3rd Circuit in Philadelphia, PA. Steve was a noted trial attorney in an international law firm before he successfully built his boutique law practice. He builds long-term relationships with his business and personal clients and develops a deep understanding of their businesses and personal life to anticipate and satisfy their legal needs and well-being. He is passionate and outspoken, but always respectful of the law when fighting for his clients. Steve is highly respected by clients, attorneys, and judges.

UM Law

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USSC Appeals

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BU 1

Texas

AAJ

Michigan Supreme Court

State Bar Michigan

MJIL

STEVE CRANE JR’S LEGAL CAREER FROM THE OUTSET HAS BEEN NOTEWORTHY
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.
MICHIGAN COLLABORATIONS & BENCHMARKS
Steve worked with Stephen A. Crane Sr., Esq., now retired, in winning a wrongful death action in Ottawa County Circuit Court, Michigan.
Steve and Shawn Patrick Smith, Esq. successfully collaborated with other counsel in winning millions in wrongful death cases in Michigan and Nevada.
Steve and Shawn further successfully collaborated recently in a sexual abuse case where the victim’s girlfriend was beaten up and disfigured by her boyfriend. They achieved for her the substantial financial recovery she deserved, and they gave her the closure and hope to move forward with her life.
Steve successfully represented individual homeowners versus West Bloomfield Twp. Michigan in the State Tax Tribunal, Circuit Court, and Michigan Court of Appeals recovering hundreds of thousands of dollars for a defective special assessment.
Steve Crane worked with Stephen A. Crane Sr., Esq., now retired, in winning complex commercial dispute involving Ford Motor Company, Franklin Life Insurance Co., Western Reserve Life, Maple Village Shopping Center, the United States Football League, Miss Michigan USA, and Miss USA Pageants, Enterprise Car Rental, and Cobo Hall Detroit Michigan.