Michael R. Stiff

Joliet, Illinois
Associate
phone (815) 726-4311
fax 815-846-2410
email Michael

Michael R. Stiff is an associate with the firm and is a lifelong resident of Will County. He is a 1984 graduate of 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 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, 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. His current practice includes representation of school districts and other businesses in litigation and other commercial matters.

Mr. Stiff is admitted to practice before all Illinois courts. As part of his practice of defending municipalities and employers in various employment and civil rights cases, Mr. Stiff appears before the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, the EEOC, and other state regulatory agencies.

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.

Areas of Practice:
   30% Catastrophic Injury Cases
   50% Commercial and General Litigation
   20% Corporate Counsel

Litigation Percentage:
   80% of Practice Devoted to Litigation

Certification/Specialties:
   Arbitration Panelist, Will County

Bar Admissions:
   Illinois, 1988
   U.S. District Court Northern District of Illinois, 1988

Education:
   Loyola University Chicago School of Law, Chicago, Illinois, 1988 - J.D

   Lewis University, Romeoville, IL - B.A.
   Honors: Lewis Honor Society
   Honors: Deans' List
   Honors: Editor-in-Chief of the Lewis Flyer (School Newspaper)
   Major: Journalism/English

Professional Associations and Memberships:
   Will County Bar Association - Member

Past Employment Positions:
   Tribler & Orpett, Associate

   Rooks Pitts, Joliet, Partner

   Adams Swatek LLC, Geneva, Partner