Michael L. Stefani
About Mike
Michael Stefani earned a Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration from the University of Notre Dame, Cum Laude, a Juris Doctrate from the University of Michigan, Cum Laude, and a Masters of Law in Taxation from Wayne State University. After obtaining his Juris Doctrate, he served as a Special Agent with the F.B.I. for three years. Mike credits his years with the F.B.I. for his appreciation of the importance of knowing the facts and for his ability to investigate those facts. Because most law schools understandably emphasize the law in resolving problems, often, lawyers concentrate almost entirely on the legal issues of a transaction or dispute, overlooking the importance of facts involved. Mike attributes his success in negotiations and litigation to investigating and knowing the facts better than the opposition.During his nearly forty years of practice, Mike has helped clients with a myriad of business related issues involving contracts law, employment law, tax law and real estate law. He has helped clients form new businesses, purchase existing businesses, sell their businesses, and reorganize their businesses through mergers, spin-offs and joint ventures. He has handled purchases and sales from as little as $20,000 to as large as $95 million.Whether the transaction is small or large, Mike gives each client the best service he is capable of delivering. He knows that the purchase of a small business for $20,000 by a new entrepreneur may be just as important to that new business person as the purchase of a large business for millions of dollars is to the well-established business buyer.One of the most rewarding aspects of practicing business law for Mike is the opportunity to work with business owners over an extended period of time, assisting them with a variety of every day legal problems such as purchasing real estate for a new plant or office, negotiating supply and sales contracts and assisting with the resolution of a wide variety of personnel issues. Representing a client on a continuing basis allows the lawyer to know the unique aspects of that client's business and family situation so that the lawyer can better serve the client with the everyday legal problems as well as the more unique opportunities such as business planning, succession planning and estate planning.In addition to his business law practice, Mike has developed a unique niche in the area of whistleblower litigation. Mike developed this subspecialty as the result of his law enforcement background, which includes, in addition to the F.B.I., Mike was a Detroit Police narcotics officer, and a police chief of a small Oakland County community.
This law enforcement background has proven invaluable in representing whistleblowers.
Writing and Teaching
- Lectured at CLE Seminars for lawyers and accountants.
- Guest speaker at rotary groups, paralegal groups, Michigan Council of Private Investigators, Macomb County Police Academy, Oakland Police Academy, Detroit Police Academy, numerous law enforcement agencies.
Publications:
- Several articles on taxation in bar journals and business publications
- A monograph on incorporating law firms
- A monograph on laws of arrest, search and seizure, interrogations and line-ups
Organizations
- Society of Former Agents of FBI
- Michigan Bar Association
- Oakland Bar Association
- Stryker Bar Association
- Michigan Association for Justice
- Detroit Police Lieutenants and Sergeants Association
Honors and Awards
- Named Michigan Super Lawyer 2006, 2007 and 2008 by Law & Politics
- Named Lawyer of the Year 2007 by Michigan Lawyers Weekly
- Recipient of Top Cop Award in White House ceremony 1999
- Recipient of Detroit Police Department Medal of Valor and Wound Medal 1997
Bar Admissions
- All Michigan State Courts
- U.S. District Court - Eastern District of Michigan
- U.S. District Court - Western District of Michigan
- U.S. District Court - Southern District of Florida
- U.S. District Court – Eastern District of Virginia
- U.S. Tax Court
- U.S. 6th Circuit Court of Appeals
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