By Stacy Rupprecht Butler

 

Steve Portell has been selected as the Outstanding

Pro Bono Attorney of the Month for February.  Mr.

Portell was selected for his work on a recent housing

case.  His client was forced to vacate her apartment due to a rat and insect

infestation.  The client became ill as a result of the problems in the apartment,

incurred medical costs, and filed a lawsuit against the apartment complex in

Pima County Consolidated Justice Court.  When Mr. Portell took the case, the

defendant was in the process of having the case dismissed due to the client’s

lack of disclosures and for a lack of compliance with the Arizona Rules of Civil

Procedure. Within a matter of weeks, Mr. Portell interviewed the client and

witnesses and prepared a comprehensive Disclosure Statement which changed

the tenor of the case.  Mr. Portell was able to obtain expert testimony to support

the client’s claim.  After Mr. Portell prepared a comprehensive disclosure and

made a demand for payment, the defendant agreed to pay $4,600.00 to the

client to resolve all claims.  Mr. Portell dedicated 45 hours to this matter.  The

VLP’s monthly award is a distinct honor: of the 1220 attorneys who volunteer

their time with VLP, only 12 receive the VLP’s Outstanding Pro Bono Attorney

award each year. 

 

Q & A with Steve Portell:

 

Where are you from?

Detroit, Michigan.  I went to the University of Detroit for undergrad and Wayne

State University for law school.  And, yes, I am still a Lions fan despite their

latest 0‑16 season.

 

What is the history of your practice of law?

I spent my first three years defending criminal cases with Steve Sherick who

taught me, by example and advice, how to be a compassionate and responsible

advocate for our clients.  After that I defended commercial litigation matters

(mainly products cases) with Pat Broom who was, at that time, a partner at

Snell & Wilmer.  He taught me that you should always work harder (and be

more creative) than your opponent.  I am now celebrating my sixth anniversary

at Quarles & Brady where I am a partner in the Products Group.  I continue to

litigate cases ranging from complex products liability matters to general

commercial litigation.

 

Anyone you would like to acknowledge for contributing to your legal

career / pro bono service?

My wife Melissa is my rock.  She is my best friend and helps me keep

everything in perspective.  She was there when I was studying for the bar

exam, patiently quizzing me from the BarBri materials.  And she stands by

me everytime I have a difficult case.  Without her, I would be lost.

 

One reason you would encourage attorneys to volunteer with VLP ?