Lea Ann Sterling

Lea Ann Sterling

5.0
Rating: 8.7

Licensed for 44 years

Family Lawyer at Traverse City, MI
Practice Areas: Family, Divorce & Separation, Child Custody ... +2 more

13919 S West Bay Shore Dr Ste 209, Traverse City, MI

About Lea Ann

Biography

Practice Areas

5

Practice Areas

Child Custody 30%

Sterling Law attorneys are dedicated to helping clients understand the legal aspects of child custody. We educate clients on their rights and options to help them make informed decisions about their cases. Sterling Law attorneys are experienced in family court and aggressively pursue a resolution that best suits your specific situation and the well-being of your children.

45 years

30%
Divorce and Separation 30%

Going through a divorce can be a difficult and highly emotional endeavor. Sterling Law attorneys are experienced and dedicated to vigorously standing up for our male and female clients and their rights throughout the course of a divorce. We have over 50 years of combined experience handling family law matters. Sterling Law lawyers are skilled individuals who know the judges, understand the processes of divorce court, and will guide you through the system.

45 years

30%
Family 30%

Sterling Law ably handles most family law matters on behalf of both women and men, married and unmarried, including divorce, separation, custody, parenting time, paternity, pre-nuptial agreements, and personal protection orders.

45 years

30%
Estate Planning 5%

At Sterling Law, we have experience in guiding you through the probate court and in creating plans for individuals, couples, and families of all sorts. At Sterling Law, there is no "one size fits all."

45 years

5%
Real Estate 5%

Real property can be a complicated area of law. Mistakes can be unforgiving or difficult (expensive) to fix. Sterling Law advises any individual transferring real property to first consult with an experienced real property attorney.

15 years

5%

Fees and Rates

We have not found any cost information for this lawyer


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Licenses

Licensed in Michigan for 27 years

State: Michigan

Acquired: 1998

Active in Good Standing

No misconduct found

Licensed in Ohio for 44 years

State: Ohio

Acquired: 1981

Inactive

No misconduct found

Location

Sterling Law Office, PLLC

13919 S West Bay Shore Dr Ste 209, Traverse City, MI, 49684

Gaylord Office

100 W. 1st Street, Gaylord, MI, 49735

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Lea Ann Sterling's Reviews

Avvo Review Score

5.0 /5.0

5 Client Reviews

Filter Avvo Reviews (5) Refine reviews to match your needs. Use the filters to quickly surface reviews that align with your case or priorities.
Star rating
5 stars 5
4 stars 0
3 stars 0
2 stars 0
1 star 0

Showing 1 - 5 of 5 reviews

Posted by anonymous | June 12, 2015 | Child Custody

child custody

I went to lea ann for help getting my boys into a better situation than they were in. lea ann and her team did a great job in helping me with my situation.

Posted by Anne-Marie | June 12, 2015 | Estate Planning

Estate Planning Master

Lea Ann helped my husband and I do our estate planning after we had put it off for over five years because it just seemed too overwhelming. She was patient, caring, asked thoughtful questions we had not considered, helped us articulate our wishes in proper legal format, and anticipated a complicated... family situation. Further, she was clear on how to proceed after the actual documents were drawn.

Posted by Dean | June 11, 2015 | Child Custody

One of the best in the business.

Lea Ann took my custody case and for three years she showed so much tenacity and care for my case. After plenty of bumps along the way, she finally won the case and I was able to bring my son home with me where he has flourished both as a person and a student. I don't know what I would have done if s...he would have given up, like I was ready to do plenty of times. Thank you Lea Ann for everything you have done for me and my family

Posted by Hans. | June 04, 2015 | Divorce & Separation

Out of state child custody

My son's mother left Georgia to help her brother in Michigan, but after 6 months set up residency and filed for divorce. Ms. Sterling educated me about my legal rights in Michigan ( every state is different ), which required a lot of knowledge and patience on her part. She is highly organized and was... always well prepared in court. Child custody cases can be very emotional, but her professionalism resulted in my son returning home to live with me in Georgia.

Posted by anonymous | June 01, 2015 | Real Estate

Business Legal Services

Lea Ann provided legal assistance in re-drafting a comprehensive set of by-laws and covenants/restrictions for my real estate development as well as establishing two Limited Liability Companies with full documentation for me. Her work was performed in a timely fashion and her experience/knowledge b...ase eliminated hours of research...keeping fees under control. She also helped to identify some potential tax issues and provided referrals to specialists she felt comfortable in providing counsel to me. I continue referring friends to her when they need the services of an attorney.

See All Client Reviews

Lea Ann Sterling's Lawyer Endorsements

Endorse Lea Ann
Jennifer Duitsman Coy headshot
Jennifer Coy

Family lawyer | Dec 29

Relationship: Worked for lawyer

"I endorse this lawyer. Lea Ann is easily able to make sense of a large volume of information, cutting directly to the chase to determine the best course of action to help clients to best achieve their legal goals. Lea Ann's knowledge of the law allows her to think creatively to find solutions to unique problems and unexpected curveballs. Lea Ann has excellent communication with her clients, responding to all client contacts as soon as possible, and she communicates with her clients in such a way that they understand the complexities of the law and their options and potential outcomes. Lea Ann also holds herself, her firm, and the rest of the legal community to a high ethical standard."

Lawrence R. Lasusa headshot
Lawrence Lasusa

Family lawyer | Jul 28

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Lea Ann is a multi-talented attorney who is passionate about the legal profession and compassionate toward her clients and their needs."

Deborah L. Rysso headshot
Deborah Rysso

Family lawyer | Jul 27

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer. Lea Ann is a hard-working, smart, caring attorney. I would feel confident recommending her to anyone."

Lee Hornberger headshot
Lee Hornberger

Family lawyer | Jul 24

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Lea Ann Sterling is an outstanding Northern Michigan attorney. She is the consummate professional who always treats everyone, including court personnel, staff, clients, and others, with courtesy, dignity, and respect. She is highly respected for her very successful representation of clients concerning domestic relations, employment, and immigration matters. In addition, she is active with Bar Association and other activities, including being a member of the State Bar's Representative Assembly."

View All Endorsements
Agnes Jury headshot
Agnes Jury

Family lawyer

Jennifer Duitsman Coy headshot
Jennifer Coy

Family lawyer

Experience

Rating:  8.7 (Excellent)

Honors

2021

Distinguished, Martindale-Hubbell

2020

Distinguished, Martindale-Hubbell

2016

BV, Martindale-Hubbell

2001

Best Books of 2001, Governor of Michigan

2000

Public Education and Awareness Award, Ohio Historical Society

2000

Honoree, Ohioana Library

1996

Civil Liberties Award, Ohio American Civil Liberties Union

1976

summa cum laude, Ball State University

Work Experience

2001 - Present

Founding Attorney, Sterling Law Office

1999 - 2005

Zoning Administrator, Village of Empire, Michigan

1986 - 1997

Staff Attorney, Legal Aid Society of Columbus, Ohio

1981 - 1986

Associate Attorney, Spater, Gittes & Terzian

Associations

2015 - Present

Stonewall Bar Association

Member

2008 - Present

American Divorce Association for Men (ADAM)

Northern Michigan Affiliate

2001 - Present

Institute for Continuing Legal Education

Member

1998 - Present

State Bar of Michigan

Representative Assembly

1998 - Present

Grand Traverse-Leelanau-Antrim Bar Association

SBM Representative Assembly Delegate

2004 - 2008

American Immigration Lawyers Association

Member

2004 - 2009

Michigan Association for Justice

Member

2003 - 2008

American Civil Liberties Union

Northwestern Michigan Chapter Board Member

1990 - 1991

Women Lawyers of Franklin County (Ohio)

Chair, Community Service Committee

1986 - 1998

Columbus Bar Association

Member

1977 - 1985

The Federation of Ohio River Cooperatives

World Food Hunger Committee, Corporate President, Legal Counsel

1974 - 1974

U.N. World Population Conference, Bucharest, Romania

Press Corps

Sample of Legal Cases

Stevens & Beaverson v. Breyers

The parental rights of the other party were eventually terminated.

Baldwin v. Baldwin

Our client was permitted to move with his child from Michigan to Idaho.

Albright v. Donaldson

Our client the father was awarded primary residential custody of son.

Hickman v. Hickman

We achieved termination of spousal support award on behalf of our client so that he could peacefully retire.

Kancik v. Greenwood Township

In favor of our disabled worker plaintiff

Acosta v. Murray

A favorable settlement for our female client.

In re Miranda-Hernandez

Removal from the USA cancelled. Eleven years later client writes "Thank you for giving me the opportunity to see my kids growing up. I will never forget about you.

Police Officers for Equal Rights vs. City of Colmbus, Ohio

For Plaintiffs

See More Legal Cases

Education

1980

Ohio State University

JD - Juris Doctor

1976

Ball State University

BS - Bachelor of Science

Speaking Engagements

2008

Worksite Enforcement: I-9 Compliance Seminars

Immigration

2008

The Immigration Debate: The Northwest Michigan Experience

Immigration

Publications

2013

Paternity Action Team Pamphlet Children Have a Right to Time with Both Parents, Married or Unmarried

2012

GTLA Bar Association Newsletter "Unmarried Dads DIY Custody Complaint"

2011

Families First "Unmarried Dads"

2011

SBM Bar Journal "Practice Management Up North"

2008

GTLA Bar Association Newsletter "Local Citizens Spur MSC Election Reform"

2001

Historic Cottages of Mackinac Island Historic Cottages of Mackinac Island

1999

Historic Homes of Olde Towne East Historic Homes of Olde Towne East

Languages

English

Activity

Avvo Rating

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