STEVE CRANE JR’S LEGAL CAREER FROM THE OUTSET HAS BEEN NOTEWORTHY
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.
MICHIGAN COLLABORATIONS & BENCHMARKS
Steve worked with Stephen A. Crane Sr., Esq., now retired, in winning a major personal injury (“fallen object”) action against the Michigan Department of Transportation and the City of Detroit when the concrete underside of the Piquette Street overpass fell, crushing a motorist on northbound I-75.
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 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.
Steve Crane is recognized and accorded the honor of being one of Michigan’s BEST LAWYERS
Only a few attorneys from each state are selected to the Best Lawyers designation for any given year. The multi-factor selection process includes independent research, peer nominations, and evaluations, as well as professional achievement in legal practice.
LICENSURES AND COLLABORATIONS
Steve is licensed in Michigan and Texas. He will collaborate, consult and work with local counsel, representing injured persons and businesses in civil matters and defending those whose liberty is in jeopardy in criminal cases throughout the United States. He is able to practice throughout the United States on a collaborative and consultation basis and by being admitted pro hac vice for appearance and conducting a trial in a particular case.
CURRICULA VITAE
Judicial Clerkships
Circuit Judge Max Rosenn
- United States Court of Appeals, Philadelphia, PA
Justice Dorothy Comstock Riley
- Michigan Supreme Court, Lansing, MI
Education
University of Michigan Law School
Juris Doctorate
- Associate Editor, Michigan Journal of International Law
Boston University
B.S. Business Administration and Management
- Graduated summa cum laude
- Lock Honorary Service Society
- Golden Key Honorary Service Society
Professional Affiliations
Licensures:
- State Bar of Michigan
- State Bar of Texas
Other:
- U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit
- MCR 2.411(F) Certified Civil Court Mediator – Michigan
- Graduate – Gerry Spence’s Trial Lawyers College Dubois, Wyoming
- Founder and Principal Director of FACTORS – Finding A Cure Through Our Resources – a 501(C)(3) organization
- Senior Faculty, AOT – Art of Trance Trial Practice Institute
- Co-Founder, Gold Medal Trial Skills Academy
Memberships:
- Member – Litigation Section, State Bar of Michigan
- Member – Litigation Section, State Bar of Texas
- Member – Oakland County Bar Association (OCBA)
- Member – Circuit Court Business Committee OCBA
- Member – American Association of Justice
- Member – Criminal Defense Attorneys of Michigan
