Michael R. Stiff is an associate with the firm and is a lifelong resident of Will County. He is a 1984 graduate off Lewis University in Romeoville, Illinois, where he was inducted as a charter member of the Lewis Honor Society. He received his law degree from Loyola University School of Law in 1988.

Prior to joining Spesia, Ayers & Ardaugh in October 2007, Mr. Stiff practiced in the Joliet office of a national law firm and then with a small general litigation firm in Geneva, Illinois. He has handled a wide range of litigation matters, including the defense of hospitals and doctors in complex medical cases, serious construction injuries and all types of premises liability claims.

At Spesia, Ayers & Ardaugh, Mr. Stiff concentrates his practice on litigation matters involving all aspects of case management, from investigation through trial, including appellate work. Mr. Stiff has tried both personal injury and non-injury cases in many Illinois state courts, and regularly appears before the Circuit Courts of Will, Kankakee, LaSalle, Grundy, Cook and DuPage counties. He also has handled cases in Iroquis, Kendall, Kane and Winnebago counties.

Mr. Stiff is admitted to practice before all Illinois courts. As part of his practice of defending municipalities in various employment and Civil Rights cases, Mr. Stiff appears before the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois.

Mr. Stiff is a past member of the St. Paul the Apostle School Board and is actively involved in planning and working in various community and school events. He also has been a working professional magician and illusionist for many years, and continues to devote his time in entertaining children and adults alike at fundraising and charitable events in the Joliet area.