BACKGROUND

Stephen joined The Sam Bernstein Law Firm in 2016 in the firm’s Grand Rapids office.

Stephen never had any aspirations of becoming an attorney, even when he was in college.  He graduated from Michigan State University with a criminal justice degree and attended Western Michigan Cooley Law School with the intention of eventually working for the FBI. It wasn’t until he competed in Moot Court and Mock Trial Competitions that he realized his enjoyment for speaking in front of others and decided to pursue a career as a lawyer.

Stephen taught both Pre-trial Skills and Trial Skills classes as an adjunct professor at Cooley Law School for about 10 years.  During the first 13 years of his career he worked on the defense side of personal injury cases. While working for Travelers Insurance, Stephen was one of the youngest attorneys approved to handle Major Case Unit litigation as Trial Counsel. Additionally, he taught a 3-day class for Travelers Insurance’s attorneys called “Advanced Direct and Cross Examination of Expert Witnesses.”

Over the past 10 years with the Sam Bernstein Law Firm, Stephen has fought for multiple multi-million dollar recoveries for his clients.  In 2025, he obtained 2 of the 8 largest motor vehicle injury settlements in the State of Michigan as reported to Michigan Lawyers Weekly ($7.25 million and $4.4 million).  Over the past few years he has also been recognized by Grand Rapids Magazine as a Top Lawyer in Plaintiff’s Personal Injury Law.

Outside of the office, Stephen enjoys spending time with his family. He loves traveling and hiking in our National Parks, which he tries to do at least twice a year. When not on the move, Stephen enjoys spending time watching movies, Michigan State athletics, (trying to) play the guitar, and hanging out with his dog.