Attorney John Stephan became the sole owner of the Comstock Park Professional Building
Estate, family and criminal attorney enjoys small-town feel of Comstock Park.
John Stephan has been practicing law in Comstock Park for more than a decade and said he likes the “small town feel” of the area where he knows and recognizes the business and restaurant owners.
“Comstock Park is the perfect small town just outside the city,” Stephan said. “You don’t have to deal with traffic, parking, but you’re close to conveniences.”
He added that his clients “love the free parking” right in front of his office in the Comstock Park Professional Building at 3875 West River Drive. He also enjoys being able to walk across the street with his clients for lunch at the affordable restaurants.
Stephan mainly practices estate law such as wills, trusts, and helping clients with the probate process, but also practices family and criminal law. He said he knew he would “never get bored” practicing law.
“I really love it (lawyering),” he said. It’s a lot of fun. I love the people. But it takes a certain mindset.”
Stephan interned at the Kent County Prosecutor’s Office before graduating from Cooley Law School in 2007. After graduation he opened his own private practice. A short time later he ran into Attorney Craig Avery who he met during his internship. Avery co-owed and had his law practice in the Comstock Park Professional Building. Avery was getting ready to retire and Stephan purchased his law firm and officially took over Jan. 1, 2009. Avery retired several years later but remains of-counsel. Employees also include a full-time paralegal and a part-time legal secretary.
When the accountants in the firm he shared ownership of the building with retired, Stephan bought their remaining interest in November 2024 and is now sole owner the building. He said he is planning upgrades to the landscaping and the exterior. He said he’ll use a Comstock Park Development Authority Façade Improvement Grant available to businesses within the DDA district to help pay for the work. He still uses the round cannonball safe and night deposit drop chute left over from the bank that once occupied the building.
Stephan joined the DDA in 2022. He said being on the DDA Board is a way to help improve Comstock Park and “a way I can give back and help out the community.”
He sees the DDA as vital to the downtown area and its businesses in “generally promoting the community and (making) general improvements to the downtown area.” He added, “We’re (board members) here every day and see what needs to be done that government might not see.”
Stephan is originally from Louisville, Kentucky and grew up in the Lansing area. He graduated from high school at Great Lakes Adventist Academy in Cedar Lakes, Michigan and attended Andrews University in Berrien Springs, Michigan He and his wife live in Grand Rapids. They volunteer for Paws With a Cause fostering puppies for the program that trains service dogs to assist people with conditions affecting mobility or strength.
By Kathy Bush
in November 2024.