“When a person is seriously injured, they can’t replace their injured body. They’re going to have to figure out how to live inside that body with all the limitations and impairments they’re now suffering from following that injury. As an attorney, I can’t fix my clients’ injured bodies, but what I can do is help them with their legal rights so that life is somehow easier going forward” – Steve Sinas
Stephen H. Sinas
Fighting for Justice, Protecting the Injured
Steve is a partner at the Sinas Dramis Law Firm, which was founded in 1951 by his grandfather, Thomas Sinas, and his friend, Lee Dramis. Proud to call himself a civil trial lawyer, Steve focuses on what’s commonly known as personal injury law. While the field often suffers from negative stereotypes due to misleading advertising and media portrayals, Steve embraces the honorable duty of personal injury trial lawyers: advocating for people who have been seriously injured or harmed by the wrongful actions of others.
He views this work as both a responsibility and a privilege. Steve puts in the time, energy, and preparation needed to tell his clients’ stories effectively and fight for their rights under the law.
Teaching and Thought Leadership
In addition to practicing law, Steve is an Adjunct Professor at Michigan State University College of Law, where he teaches Michigan Auto No-Fault Insurance Law. He enjoys this role because it allows him to share knowledge in an academic setting, discuss Michigan’s complex no-fault system, and stay sharp on the latest legal developments that affect his clients.
Beyond the classroom, Steve frequently lectures on personal injury and civil justice issues and has published a variety of articles (see more below).
Personal Injury Representation
- Auto Accident Cases: One of Steve’s main areas of focus is representing people injured or killed in auto accidents. This includes cases involving cars, semi-trucks, motorcycles, and bicycles. He works to hold at-fault drivers accountable while helping his clients recover the damages they need to move forward.
- Auto Insurance Disputes: Steve also takes on insurance companies that wrongly deny no-fault benefits to crash survivors. His extensive litigation experience includes cases where catastrophically injured individuals were unfairly denied the care and support they deserved.
- Other Personal Injury Cases: Outside of auto-related matters, Steve represents clients in a wide range of personal injury cases. These include premises liability, dog bites, sexual assault cases, and more.
- Civil Rights and Police Misconduct: Steve has also represented individuals harmed by police misconduct, including cases where people were wrongfully shot and killed by law enforcement. While these cases are deeply tragic, Steve believes they highlight an important balance: supporting and protecting law enforcement while ensuring accountability so that no one is above the law and human life is safeguarded.
Life Outside the Law
Steve lives in East Lansing with his spouse and two sons. Curious by nature, he loves to read and learn as much as possible in his free time. He has a passion for music and enjoys listening across all genres.
Physical fitness is another important part of Steve’s life. He has completed several endurance events, including multiple marathons. To him, exercise is not only vital for physical health but also for mental well-being. This dedication gives him perspective on the struggles injured clients face, deepening his ability to advocate for them with empathy and understanding.
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Education
- B.A.. University of Michigan (2004) – Economics (major), English Literature Language (major), Modern Greek Language and Culture (minor)
- J.D., Wayne State University Law School (2007)
Professional Associations
- Ingham County Bar Association – Immediate Past President (2024-2025); President (2023-2024); Vice President (2022-2023); Treasurer (2021-2022); Secretary (2020-2021); Board Member (2016-2025).
- Michigan Associate for Justice – Executive Board Member (2010-present), General Member (2007-present).
- Michigan Associate for Justice – Executive Board Member (2010-present), General Member (2007-present).
- Michigan Brain Injury Provider Council (MBIPC) – Immediate Past President (2024-present); President (2022-2024); Board Member (2016-present).
- American Association for Justice – General Member (2007-present).
- Academy of Truck Accident Attorneys – General member (2021-present).
- Fellow with the Ingham County Bar Foundation.
- State Bar of Michigan Character & Fitness District E Committee Member (2012-2018).
Awards & Recognition
- Recognized by Best Lawyers in America in the field of Plaintiff’s Personal Injury Law – 2024, 2025
- Recognized as a Michigan Super Lawyer in the field of Plaintiff’s Personal Injury Law (2013-present)
- Recognized as a Leading Lawyers in the field Plaintiff’s Personal Injury Law (2018-present)
- Selected as an Ingham County Bar Foundation Fellow, a distinction given to only 5% of attorneys practicing in Ingham County Michigan
- Won the 2019 Western Michigan Thomas M. Cooley Law Review Distinguished Brief Award for the best civil law brief filed in the Michigan Supreme Court (2019)
- Selected as an Ingham County “Top 5 Under 35” attorney (2013)
- Won the Michigan State Bar Negligence Section Law School Writing Competition (2007)
Noteworthy Cases
$7,775,000 – Settlement of multi-plaintiff auto negligence case which resulted in the death of one plaintiff and serious physical injuries to the other plaintiffs.
$4,500,000 – Settlement of a multi-plaintiff case against a Canadian semi-truck company
$3,000,000 – Settlement of wrongful death case involving the death of a 56-year-old man who was wrongfully shot and killed in his own home by a police officer.
$3,000,000 – Settlement of a multi-plaintiff case against a school in relation to the sexual assault of several students that occurred within the school.
$2,900,000 – Judgement against a no-fault insurance company following a jury verdict in which the jury found against the insurance company’s decision to deny coverage to the injured person.
$2,500,000 – Settlement of Lansing semi-truck accident involving the severe injuries suffered a 19-year-old resident of Greater Lansing.
$1,500,000 – Settlement of an automobile negligence case involving a serious brain injury suffered by an Eaton Rapids resident.
$1,450,000 – Settlement of an automobile negligence case involving a serious brain injury suffered by a Lansing resident.
$1,250,000 – Settlement of wrongful death claim involving the death of Chinese foreign exchange student and that included issues of disputed liability.
$1,250,000 – Judicial award of attorney fee sanctions under the Michigan No-Fault Act in relation to a no-fault insurer’s unreasonable denial of no-fault benefits.
$1,100,000 – Settlement of an automobile negligence case involving a serious brain injury suffered by a resident of Greater Lansing.
$1,000,000 – Settlement of auto negligence case involving a serious brain injury suffered by a Macomb County resident. Liability was contested as the injured person was struck at nighttime while jaywalking and wearing dark clothing.
$950,000 – Underinsured motorist settlement recovery on behalf of the estate of a Michigan resident killed in a motor vehicle crash that occurred in Florida. The liability of the at-fault driver was contested, as the driver appeared to be having an emergency medical event at the time of the crash, which could have negated his liability entirely.
$950,000 – Jury verdict in a case involving a broken femur bone. The verdict was 9x higher than the insurance company’s last settlement offer before trial.
$873,353.57 – Recovery of Michigan no-fault benefits for his client, a Lansing man injured in an automobile crash who sustained a serious brain injury.
$537,000 – Jury verdict in a case involving a broken foot. The verdict was 5x higher than the insurance company’s last settlement offer before trial.
These are just a few of Steve’s results on behalf of his clients. More of the firm’s results can be found here.
Testimonials
Steve and his staff at Sinas Dramis, were diligent, kind, and thorough. Communication was fantastic from start to finish. Because of their efforts, my mother has the resources that she needs to get the care that she deserves. We are so very thankful. – Nathan, Google
Steve Sinas’s presentation of me at trial was winning in a style that was believable, honest, thorough, and won with the jury. Everyone at his firm was genuinely helpful and kind. I felt like I’d stepped back a hundred years to a kinder, gentler time in America. My life is forever touched and enriched and my belief in the goodness of humanity is strengthened by Mr. Sinas and his firm! – Anonymous
Mr. Sinas is a real attorney. One that will, and does, fight for his clients and goes the extra mile. Simply put (and biased, by my fantastic experience) he is the best at what he does. He gets the job done and he helps the people. I highly recommend Mr. Sinas to anyone and everyone in Michigan that needs help. – Robert, avvo.com
A Trusted Legal Voice in Michigan Media
As part of the firm’s mission to help Michigan residents understand the legal system, Steve Sinas is s regularly called upon to help explain a person’s rights regarding personal injury law, auto accidents, and the auto no-fault law. His ability to break down complex legal topics into clear, accessible explanations makes him a trusted resource – not just for clients and colleagues, but also for the general public.
To help educate Michigan residents about their legal rights, Steve regularly appears on “The Legal Answer,” a show that airs bi-monthly on WILX Studio 10, in hopes of engaging with the public about the realm of personal injury law, answering questions, and providing helpful information that is good for everyone to know about Michigan laws.
To explore the full “The Legal Answer” episode archive, click here.
- Experts say Michigan’s “bipartisan success” on no-fault reform is really a “bipartisan failure,” as people lose care – A recent NPR article covers the current struggle that Michigan auto accident survivors are facing due to the 2019 no-fault reforms.
- No-fault Reform Continues Impact on Families – In an article on InsuranceNewsNet.com, Steve was featured in explaining some of the history and political influence in the passing of the 2019 Michigan auto no-fault reforms.
- Duggan Warns Detroiters: ‘Act for Yourself’ or Pay High Auto Insurance Premiums (2020) – interview for Detroit News article regarding a June 2020 town hall hosted by Mayor Duggan explaining new auto insurance consumer choices.
- Cut-Rate Insurance (2020) – interview by DBusiness Journal regarding whether or not Michiganders will really receive the auto insurance premium rate reduction they were promised as Michigan’s no-fault reform comes into full effect July 1, 2020.
- Lawmakers to Committee: Residents Demand Major No-Fault Fix (2019) – Crain’s Detroit quoted Steve in an article regarding the demand of Michigan residents to fix the no-fault system and provide rate relief.
- Motorcyclists Worry Insurance Reform Law Leaves Them Vulnerable (2019) – interview by The Detroit News to describe the apparent motorcyclist loophole created by the auto no-fault reform.
- No-Fault Supports Say Capping Medical Benefits Hurts Consumers, Does Little to Bring Down Cost (2019) – a conversation with Stateside by Michigan Radio regarding the state’s recent passage of the no-fault reform legislation.
- Great Lakes Restoration Plan; Michigan Murder Mystery; Auto No-Fault Reform Pushback (2019) – interview by Michigan Radio to discuss the pushback to no-fault reform efforts.
- Off the Record Interviews (2019) – Steve discussed the no-fault reform issues with Bill Ballenger, Emily Lawler, Jonathan Oosting, and capitol correspondent Tim Skubick
- Whitmer Signs Historic No-Fault Auto Insurance Reform Bill (2019) – The Detroit News interviewed Steve, who describes the signing of the new no-fault legislation by Gov. Whitmer a “very sad day.”
- MDOT Considers Improvements to US-127/I-496 Interchange (2018) – Steve discussed his concerns with this stretch of dangerous highway as a commuter who travels it every day with WLNS 6.
- What Are Your Rights As An Airline Passenger? (2017) – spoke with Lansing’s WILX Channel 10 about airline passenger rights, in light of a United Airlines incident where a passenger was forcibly removed from an overbooked flight.
Speaking Engagements
2020 - Present
- “UM/UIM Claims” – MAJ No-Fault Institute, October 2021
- Changes to Auto No-Fault Practice – Detroit Bar Association, March 2021
- Right to Recover Medical Expenses in Auto Tort Cases – MBIPC’s 5th Annual Auto No-Fault Boot Camp for Medical Providers, January 2021
- New Auto No-Fault Reform – People’s Law School, October 2020
- No-Fault Reform – virtual presentation with Lansing Regional Chamber of Commerce, June 2020
- Michigan’s New Auto No-Fault Presentation, East Lansing Kiwanis, March 2020
- No-Fault Town Hall, Detroit, February 2020
- “The New Auto No-Fault Law”, University Club and Conference Center, January 2020
- No-Fault Town Hall, Livingston County, January 2020
2015 - 2019
- No-Fault Presentation, Council of Black Baptist Pastors, December 2019
- PIP Choice Options and Opt-Outs – VTC Insurance Group, October 2019
- Auto No-Fault Presentation – Therapeutic Rehabilitation and Vocational Training Centers, October 2019
- “The New PIP Choice Options” No-Fault Institute XVI, October 2019
- No-Fault Presentation for Mary Free Bed at Sparrow Hospital, September 2019
- Michigan Auto Insurance Promise Rally – sponsored by CPAN, rally on Michigan’s capitol building regarding the 2019 no-fault reform, September 2019
- Michigan No-Fault Reform: Understanding the Controversy – People’s Law School, September 2019
- BIAMI Annual Fall Conference – spoke with George Sinas and Thomas Sinas regarding the no-fault reform, September 2019
- Judicial Update, MBIPC Luncheon, 2019
- Judicial Update, MBIPC Luncheon, 2018
- “The State of No-Fault Insurance in Michigan” – Michigan Lawyers Weekly live webinar, July 2017
- “Auto No-Fault 101” Town Hall, May 2017
- Evidentiary Hurdles in Traumatic Brain Injury Cases – 4th Annual No-Fault Summit (ICLE), April 2017
- The Continuing Evolution of No-Fault Causation Law: PIP and Tort Cases – MAJ No-Fault Institute, September 2016
- To Deny or Not Deny Attorney Fees: What Is Reasonable? – 3rd Annual No-Fault Summit (ICLE), April 2016
- Auto No-Fault Update for Trauma Surgeons – Michigan College of Trauma Surgeons, November 2015
- Auto No-Fault Update – CPAN Town Hall – Detroit, November 2015
- Michigan Auto No-Fault Update for Medical Professionals – Mary Free Bed Spinal Cord Injury Symposium, October 2015
- Overview of the Affordable Care Act and its Intersection with the Michigan No-Fault Law – People’s Law School, Lansing, October 2015
- The Current Status of PIP Causation Law – MAJ No-Fault Institute, September 2015
- Michigan No-Fault Update – ICLE On-Demand Seminar, September 2015
- Panelist – Auto No-Fault Town Hall (organized by Michigan State Rep. Henry Yanez), September 2015
- Auto No-Fault for Nursing Professionals – Michigan Nurses Association, September 2015
- Auto No-Fault Update – CPAN Town Hall, Livonia, Michigan, August 2015
- Depositions for Medical Professionals – Brain Injury Association of Michigan Legal Conference, June 2015
- Overview of the Michigan No-Fault System – Michigan Association of Neurological Surgeons Annual Meeting, May 2015
- Third-Party Auto Threshold Update – MAJ Rapid Fire Seminar, May 2015
- Social Media for Practicing Attorneys – ICLE On-Demand Seminar, April 2015
- Damages in PIP Cases: Understanding the Reasonable Charge Requirement – ICLE No-Fault Summit, April 2015
- Auto No-Fault Update, CPAN Town Hall – Grand Rapids, Michigan, April 2015
- In-Service Training – Hope Network, April 2015
- The Admire Problem – STRIVE Recreational Therapy In-Service Seminar, April 2015
- Auto No-Fault 101 for Lawyers – Ingham County Bar Association Young Lawyers Section, Expand Your Practice series, February 2015
- Auto No-Fault Law for Legal Assistants and Paralegals – National Association of Legal Secretaries, February 2015
- Understanding the Auto No-Fault World – Arcadia Home Health Care In-Service Seminar, January 2015
- Understanding the Auto No-Fault World – Ambrose Rehabilitation Consultants In-Service Seminar, January 2015
2010-2014
- The Affordable Care Act and Its Implications – People’s Law School, East Lansing, 2014
- Allowable Expense Benefits: Understanding §3107(1)(a) – Coalition for Protecting Auto No-Fault’s “Admire Workshop III”, 2014
- Auto No-Fault First-Party Update On-Demand Webinar (Panelist) – Institute for Continuing Legal Education, 2014
- Admire v AutoOwners, Supreme Court Summer Seminar, 2013
- Price v High-Pointe Oil Company – State Bar of Michigan Negligence Section’s Supreme Court Summer Seminar, 2013
- Health Care Law Basics and the Affordable Care Act – People’s Law School, East Lansing, 2013
- First-Party No-Fault Update 2013 – On Demand Seminars, 2013
- Affordable Care Act Basics for Auto No-Fault Attorneys – No-Fault Institute X, 2013
- Tort Liens & Subrogation – Intersection: The Michigan No-Fault Law & The Federal Affordable Care Act, 2013
- Beyond Admire: Recent Court of Appeals Cases Regarding the Everyday Living Needs of the Catastrophically Injured – CPAN Admire Workshop, 2013
- Constitutional Law & Civil Rights Litigation – People’s Law School, East Lansing, 2012
- Johnson v Recca – Michigan Association for Justice’s “No-Fault Institute”, 2012
- No-Fault Law Update – Upper Michigan Legal Institute, 2011
- No-Fault PIP Causation Law – Michigan Association for Justice Seminar in the Snow, 2011
- No-Fault PIP Causation Jury Instructions – Michigan Association for Justice’s “No-Fault Institute”, 2010.
Publications
- “Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Claims – Strategies and Case Law Update” – Michigan Association for Justice, No-Fault Institute 2025.
- Co-author of academic textbook “Motor Vehicle No-Fault Law in Michigan – Revised” 2025 Edition. This 2025 edition of the textbook was issued in a “pre-publication” format to be used for law school classes in 2025 and will eventually be formally published in 2026.
- Co-lead editor and multiple chapter author of “Introducing Evidence at Trial – 4th Edition” – Institute for Continuing Legal Education, 2024.
- Lead editor of academic site regarding Michigan Auto No-Fault Law, www.autonofaultlaw.com.
- “Making Smart Choices: A Guide to Buying Insurance Under Michigan’s No-Fault Law“ – Sinas Dramis Law Firm 2025 (co-author).
- “Causing Controversy: The Current State of the Law Regarding Allowable Expense Medical Causation” – Institute for Continuing Legal Education, No-Fault Summit 2025.
- “Protecting the Injured: A Summary Guide to the New Auto No-Fault Law” – Sinas Dramis Law Firm 2023 (co-author).
- “Stuth v Home-Owners: MSC Denies Leave, but Justice Cavanagh’s Dissent May Help Steer No-Fault Motorcycle Swerve Cases in a Better Direction” – Ingham County Bar Association Briefs, May 2024.
- “Injured Pedestrians and Bicyclists Subject to a Michigan No-Fault ‘Medicare Opt-out’ or ‘Health Insurance Exclusion’ Should be Able to Recover Allowable Expense Benefits Through the Assigned Claims Plan” – Ingham County Bar Association Briefs, December 2023.
- “A Michigan Auto No-Fault Case that Family Law Attorneys Should Know About” – Ingham County Bar Association Briefs, May 2022.
- “The Andary Case: Civil Justice for Some of Michigan’s Most Vulnerable” – Michigan Association for Justice Quarterly, Fall 2022 (co-author).
- “An Update Regarding Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Claims” – Michigan Association for Justice, No-Fault Institute 2021.
- “Understanding the New Statutory Right to Recover Medical Expenses in Auto Tort Cases” – Michigan Association for Justice Quarterly, Spring 2021.
- “Tort Becomes PIP: The New Right to Recover Excess “Allowable Expenses” from At-Fault Drivers” – Sinas Dramis Law Firm 2021.
- “A Different State of Affairs: Identifying the Rights and Benefits of Michigan Residents Injured in Out-of-State Auto Crashes and Out-of-State Residents Injured in Michigan Auto Crashes” – Institute for Continuing Legal Education No-Fault Summit 2019.
- “Flawed No-Fault Reforms and Flawed Autonomous Vehicles Laws: Justice is at Stake for Auto Accident Victims” -Michigan Association for Justice Quarterly, Spring 2019.
- “Navigating the Chaos: The New No-Fault Legislation” – Sinas Dramis Law Firm 2019 (co-author).
- “Michigan Has Work to Do to Make Its Auto Laws as Smart as Its Autonomous Cars” – Detroit Legal News 2018.
- “A Chronological Summary of Michigan Enacted Laws Regarding Autonomous Vehicles” – Institute for Continuing Legal Education No-Fault Summit 2018.
- “Autonomous Vehicles and the Future of Tort Liability in Michigan” – Michigan Association for Justice No-Fault Institute 2018.
- “State’s 44 Year Old No-Fault Law Best for Michigan’s Driving Future” – Detroit Legal News, January 2018.
- “Extending the One-Year-Back Rule Will Decrease Litigation and Benefit Everyone” – Michigan Lawyers Weekly, February 2017.
- “The Continuing Evolution of No-Fault Causation: PIP and Tort Cases” – Michigan Association for Justice No-Fault Institute 2016.
- “The Intersection of the Affordable Care Act and the Michigan No-Fault Automobile Insurance Act,” Michigan State Bar Health Law Section. Published in special whitepaper compilation entitled: “Troubleshooting the Affordable Care Act,” Summer 2015.
- “Moody v Home-Owners: What Does This Case Mean for Medical Providers?” – Michigan Association for Justice Quarterly Journal, Spring 2014.
- “Medical Providers and the Reasonable Charge Requirement” – Michigan Association for Justice No-Fault Institute
- “Deciphering Two Related Concepts: No-Fault PIP Causation Law and the Decision in Griffith v State Farm” – Thomas M. Cooley Law Review, 2010 (co-author).
- “Fischer v Blankenship & the Seriousness of Permanent Disfigurement” – Michigan Association for Justice, November 2009 Advance Sheet.
- “The Legal Rights of Michigan Citizens Have Been Limited by Recent Decisions of the Michigan Supreme Court” – State Bar of Michigan Negligence Section Quarterly Newsletter, Summer 2007.