Experience * Integrity * Compassion * Tenacity

   Offices in Empire and Gaylord Michigan

Experience:
We have a successful, winning track record with judicial and administrative cases in courts and agencies throughout all of northern lower Michigan and the eastern Upper Peninsula.  Our expertise has brought solid, desired results for our clients in the practice areas of family law, immigration, estate planning, real estate, business, probate, criminal, bankruptcy, personal injury, and Social Security disability.

Integrity:
Our sterling staff holds itself to the highest standards in all practices and dealings with our clients and other legal professionals, in and out of the courtroom.  We use scrupulous fairness in setting, explaining, and documenting fees to give our clients full value legal services.  We practice open, full, and timely communication on all issues of a client’s case and all questions that arise.

Compassion:
Whether seeking to draw up a Last Will and Testament, obtain a divorce, create a new business entity, defend a criminal charge, or purchase real estate, we understand that going to a lawyer often causes clients anxiety and uncertainty.  Our sterling staff takes each client’s goals and needs to heart and we will fight tenaciously to achieve results!  We work hard to negotiate settlements and resolve problems whenever possible without going to court, which, in return, saves our clients time, money, and stress.  If courtroom appearances are required, please rest assured that we have experience and will stand by your side throughout the entire process.

Firm History:
Sterling Law Office first opened its doors in March 2001 in a historic clapboard building that originally housed the Empire Village’s first general store.  Previously, Lea Ann Sterling practiced law for two decades in Columbus, Ohio, focusing her work largely on civil rights, social justice, and legal aid for low-income clients.  After moving with her family to Empire, she opened Sterling Law Office initially in partnership with renowned civil liberties attorney, Dean Robb.  Mr. Robb subsequently moved his primary office to his hometown of Suttons Bay and remains a mentor to Sterling Law Office.

Sterling Law Office has since grown to include attorney Wendy K. Bailey, attorney Steven W. Paciorka, a legal assistant, and an office manager.  David (Lanny) Sterling has served as the firm’s financial manager since its establishment.  Geographically, the firm’s caseload was initially drawn throughout Leelanau, Grand Traverse, Benzie and Wexford counties.  However, recent demand has expanded services throughout all of the Northern Michigan Region.  The northwest office located on downtown Empire’s main business street is furnished to give clients a warm, welcoming, comfortable setting in which to meet and collaborate with the very amiable staff.  Clients will find the same warm and friendly welcome at the northeast Michigan office, opened in February 2010 in a brand new commercial facility just north of downtown Gaylord.

Sterling Law Office has experience in cases involving the specialized areas of family law, immigration, estate planning, real estate, business, probate, criminal, bankruptcy, personal injury, and Social Security disability, and it is one of the few legal practices in northern Michigan handling immigration and citizenship cases.  The firm embodies a lifetime commitment to justice.  Our constant, primary goal is to achieve sterling results for our clients.