“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 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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Connect with Stephen Sinas
Email: stevesinas@sinasdramis.com
Phone: 517-394-7500
Toll Free: 866-758-0031
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
- President, Board Member, former Secretary, former Treasurer, Former Vice President of Ingham County Bar Association
- President of the Board, Michigan Brain Injury Provider Council (MBIPC).
- Member of the Michigan Association for Justice (MAJ) Executive Board.
- Legal Counsel for the Coalition for Protecting Auto No-Fault (CPAN).
- Fellow with the Ingham County Bar Foundation.
- Former Member of the State Bar of Michigan’s Character & Fitness Committee (District E) (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)
Practice Areas
Noteworthy Cases
$7,775,000 – Steve advocated and helped achieve a settlement for one Michigan family in the aftermath of a catastrophic auto accident which resulted in serious physical injuries, emotional and psychological trauma, and the untimely death of a loved one.
$3,000,000 – Settlement for the wrongful death of a 56-year-old man resulting from police misconduct/unjustified use of lethal force.
$2,500,000 – Lansing semi-truck accident catastrophically injuring a 19-year-old woman who sustained a traumatic brain injury, multiple facial, neck, and leg fractures.
$1,000,000 – Macomb County motor vehicle/pedestrian collision resulting in brain injury and other injuries. Liability was contested as the client-pedestrian 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 recovery also included compensation for the person’s wife, who sustained minor injuries in the crash. The couple was insured under a policy that included $1 million UIM benefits. 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.
$873,353.57 – Recovery of Michigan no-fault benefits for his client, a Lansing man injured in an automobile accident who sustained a serious brain injury.
$600,000 – Motorcyclist was struck by a turning vehicle and hit head-on. Sustained multiple right upper extremity injuries.
$536,857 – With a settlement offer vastly insufficient for compensating Steve’s client for his serious injuries, Steve and his client proceeded to trial where the jury awarded a verdict nearly five times the amount offered by the insurance company.
$500,000 – Policy limit settlement for 26-year-old Lansing woman violently attacked by a dog while working for lawn care service; sustained fractures, scarring, and psychological injury.
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
- “Tort Becomes PIP: The New Right to Recover Excess “Allowable Expenses” from At-Fault Drivers” – This article authored by Steve covers the right for injured persons to recover medical expenses from at-fault parties in auto tort cases.
- “Protecting the Injured: A Summary Guide to the New Auto No-Fault Law” – co-authored with George and Thomas Sinas, this brochure is an essential resource to those injured in Michigan motor vehicle accidents regarding their rights under the recently reformed no-fault law. “Protecting the Injured” replaces our former publication known as the “Rights and Benefits” brochure, which has been widely used throughout Michigan by injured people and the medical teams that provide them care.
- “Making Smart Choices: A Guide to Buying Insurance Under Michigan’s No-Fault Law“ – co-authored with George Sinas and Thomas Sinas, an in-depth guide to consumer choices under the 2019 reformed auto no-fault law
- “Navigating the Chaos: the New No-Fault Legislation” – a thorough summary of the new auto no-fault legislation following its 2019 reform, co-authors George Sinas and Tom Sinas
- “Flawed No-Fault Reforms and Flawed Autonomous Vehicles Laws: Justice is at Stake for Auto Accident Victims” Published article in Michigan Association for Justice Quarterly, Spring 2019
- “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” Published written materials for the 2019 Institute for Continuing Legal Education No-Fault Summit.
- “Autonomous Vehicles and the Future of Tort Liability in Michigan” Published written materials for the 2018 Michigan Association for Justice No-Fault Institute.
- “Michigan Has Work to Do to Make Its Auto Laws as Smart as Its Autonomous Cars” – Opinion article, Detroit Legal News, May 2018
- “Patient Assignments: Should Providers Use Them in This Post-Covenant Auto No-Fault World?” – Legal analysis co-authored with George Sinas and Tom Sinas
- “Extending the One-Year Back Rule Will Decrease No-Fault Litigation and Benefit Everyone” Published article in Detroit Legal News, January 2017
- “The Continuing Evolution of No-Fault Causation: PIP and Tort Cases” Published written materials for the 2016 Michigan Association for Justice No-Fault Institute
- “Medical Providers and the Reasonable Charge Requirement” Published written materials for the 2014 Michigan Association for Justice No-Fault Institute
- “The Intersection of the Affordable Care Act and the Michigan No-Fault Automobile Insurance Act” – article published as part of a compilation titled “Troubleshooting the Affordable Care Act,” State Bar of Michigan Health Care Law Section, 2015
- “Moody v Home-Owners: What Does This Case Mean for Medical Providers?” – Michigan Association for Justice Quarterly Journal, Spring 2014
- “Deciphering Two Related Concepts: No-Fault PIP Causation Law and the Decision in Griffith v State Farm” – published in the 2010 Thomas M. Cooley Law Review Symposium
- “Fischer v Blankenship & the Seriousness of Permanent Disfigurement” – Michigan Association for Justice, Nov. 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
- Co-Creator and editor of autonofaultlaw.com, a website dedicated to covering all appellate decisions regarding the Michigan Auto No-Fault Law