Kelly M. Stec, former chief of staff and legislative director at the Michigan Legislature and current Mayor Pro Tempore of the city of Wyandotte, recently joined Plunkett Cooney as a client advisor in the firm’s Government Relations, Public Policy and Regulatory Practice Group.

With nearly a decade of experience in Michigan politics, Stec, who prefers the gender-neutral pronoun they/them, has built extensive relationships with stakeholders, constituents and coalitions, which helps them to achieve the public policy goals of clients and to ensure clients remain compliant with state regulations. Stec works in both the firm’s Detroit and downtown Lansing offices.

Starting their political career in 2017, Stec first served as a legislative director to Kevin Hertel of the Michigan House of Representatives where they developed and analyzed proposals for legislation to bring them from concept to law. Stec then turned their sights to the education and nonprofit sectors working as a program manager promoting protective policy for the Michigan Organization on Adolescent Sexual Health as well as a project coordinator for the Center for Healthy Communities for the Michigan Public Health Institute. Stec returned to government service serving as Senator Hertel’s Chief of Staff and Legislative Director in the Michigan Senate where they researched and developed new legislation and studied laws, statutes and bills referred to committees.

Prior to joining the firm, Stec worked as the assessment coordinator for the Wyandotte Public Schools. In this role, they ensured district-level compliance with state and federal law regarding special education evaluation and assessment. Stec also gained experience as a project manager for Research to Practice Consulting, managing projects to ensure each were completed timely and on budget.

Stec is a member of the board for the Wyandotte Public Schools Scholarship Foundation, the Michigan Organization on Adolescent Sexual Health Action Fund and the Michigan Organization on Adolescent Sexual Health. They serves as chaplain of the Veterans of Foreign Wars 1136 Auxiliary and as vice president of the Wyandotte Jaycees. Stec received her undergraduate degree from Michigan State University in 2014.

Established in 1913, Plunkett Cooney, which is one of the Midwest’s oldest and most accomplished law firms, is a leading provider of business and litigation services to clients in the private and public sectors. The firm employs attorneys in eight Michigan cities, two Ohio cities, Chicago, Illinois and Indianapolis, Indiana.

Plunkett Cooney’s Government Relations, Public Policy and Regulatory Practice Group provides numerous services, including policy development, strategic collaboration, coalition and relationship building, legislation monitoring and bill tracking. The firm works with clients in numerous industries to develop creative and proactive solutions designed to meet the challenges of dealing with local, county and state government.

Plunkett Cooney has achieved the highest rating (AV) awarded by Martindale-Hubbell, a leading, international directory of law firms as well as recognition by Best Lawyers as one of the nation’s leading law firms since the honor’s inception in 2010.

For more information about Kelly Stec joining Plunkett Cooney’s Government Relations, Public Policy and Regulatory Practice Group, contact John Cornwell of Plunkett Cooney’s Practice Development Department at (248) 901-4008; jcornwell@plunkettcooney.com. 

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