Stephanie Service is one of those rare people lucky enough to love their job. She loves getting to know her clients. She loves the challenge of turning a difficult situation into a rewarding one. And more than anything, she loves the adrenaline rush that comes with winning.
In fact, there aren’t many things about this job that Stephanie doesn’t love. That’s part of what makes her such a good lawyer – she loves practicing the law. Although if you go back in time a little, she didn’t always want to be an attorney…
During a family reunion dinner sometime in 2005, Stephanie was enjoying a club sandwich, when her Grandpa leaned over and asked her what she wanted to do with her life. Her answer? “The usual – get a job, get married, have kids.” His response? “You should think about law school.” Her answer: “Wait, what?”
Although she thought the idea was somewhat ridiculous at the time, Stephanie made a promise that day. She promised her grandpa that she would at least think about it. And one of the many things about Stephanie that makes her such a reliable and steadfast person it the fact that she keeps her promises. And so she did – she thought it over, and the more she thought about it, the more it seemed like a good idea. Which actually doesn’t begin to cover it – it was a fantastic idea!
But after finishing her undergraduate degree at Grand Valley State University, Stephanie made good on her promise to her Grandpa. She thought about law school. And she decided that he just may be onto something….. So she enrolled at Western Michigan University’s Cooley Law School. As it turns out, Stephanie’s grandpa was right. She finished in the top 5% of her class, which is proof of her dedication once she commits to something. Because if you could sum Stephanie up in five words, they would be, “Never quits, no matter what!”
But the law isn’t all Stephanie loves in life. Give her a day off from work and she’ll spend it with her husband and toddler son, and if a few cousins, uncles and aunts are available, she’d want to hang out with them too. Family is very important to her. And for someone who wasn’t certain she wanted kids to begin with, having her son was a life-changing event for Stephanie. How? Well, if you’re a parent you’ll understand – having a child puts the rest of the world into perspective. In fact, ask Stephanie and she’ll tell you, motherhood helps her relate to her clients on a more personal level.
Being a parent helps you understand the struggles that clients endure when their own families are threatened. Stephanie says it gives her with a unique perspective into the fears they face, and helps her empathize with their individual situations. Stephanie understands the fears, uncertainty and fright that people feel when they’ve been accused of child abuse or some crime and are fighting to clear their name. That’s why she’s is so dedicated to her clients. She understands their struggles, feels their pain, and knows personally how hard this process can be. But it’s also why she fights so hard, and gives every case she takes on her unyielding dedication. Because people and families are important, and she loves helping people protect their own.
While the sad truth is that many lawyers have a reputation as being pompous and aggressive, Stephanie couldn’t be less like the stereotype! She is compassionate, caring, a good listener, and a truly dedicated advocate. Add those qualities to the fact that she has an unflappable demeanor and a hefty dose of loyalty, and you have the perfect combination for practicing family and CPS defense law. Stephanie approaches each case as if it were her own family she is fighting for. She advocates for each client as if her family’s future depended on it. Because that’s how she views clients – as people with families who deserve loyalty, compassion and a chance to be together!