Michael L. Stoker, May 19, 1956 – June 1, 2011
Remembering Michael Stoker …
When big time mediators came from Los Angeles to Wisconsin to resolve a “big time case,” they were handed a 35-page document written by attorney Michael Stoker.
Those mediators said they had never received a better-prepared packet of materials. As a result, mediation resulted in lifetime support for a client who was permanently disabled in an on the job injury.
“Michael’s work was spectacular,” said attorney Terence Collins.
Stoker, 55, died June 1 of injuries he sustained after being hit by a car as he was crossing West Avenue in La Crosse. He had practiced for 22 years at Johns, Flaherty & Collins.
“What everybody talks about is his intellect and his excellent written communication skills,” said Attorney Brent Smith. “But he had a big heart for everybody, especially his wife and daughters.”
Stoker also was a technological fix-it guy, one who could be called at night or even on Thanksgiving morning to fix computers or televisions on the fritz.
He was an insatiable researcher, particularly in complex legal cases. Once he had the materials he analyzed them creatively, producing brilliant legal arguments.
“He also was hilarious,” Smith said, referring to emails that he sent to colleagues on their birthdays and other special occasions.
Attorney Maureen Kinney knew to turn over “oddball cases” to Stoker because he was relentless in pursuit of information. “Michael loved to do research and he could find things so easily.”
But what also impressed Kinney was his eagerness to know what was going on in the lives of his colleagues. He asked her questions about her runs and even provided support – the sag wagon – to the La Crosse Running Club on its long training runs.
In his obituary, his family wrote: “Michael had a tremendous intellect and sense of humor, as well as an unyielding inability to say no. His great personal weakness — not being able to say no, and always wanting to please — was fun to take advantage of, was aggravating, and most of all, was ever selfless.”
Stoker personified the firm’s “Good Neighbors … Great Lawyers” philosophy. He is missed.
A look at Michael’s work
A company that thumbed its nose at Wisconsin’s Unfair Sales Act likely regretted doing so after attorney Michael Stoker identified a pattern of failing to meet the act’s minimum markup requirements.
“It went from a small claims court to Circuit Court,” said attorney Joe Veenstra who worked with Stoker on the case. Had that company just filed simple “meet competition” documents, it would have been protected.
When told that violations had been identified, the company sent a fax that said, “This is government crow.”
That was the “smoking gun” proof the company knew it was not following the law. A judge agreed, ordering the company to pay $600,000 plus legal fees.
Before the Court of Appeals, Stoker gave a “brilliant oral argument; the best I have ever witnessed,” Veenstra said. “It was one of his shining moments as a lawyer.”