Atty. Robert R. Stead

Atty. Robert R. Stead

Bob is committed to making a difference for those he serves. Applying his deep tax background and education, Bob represents buyers and sellers in merger, acquisition and disposition transactions, and provides comprehensive counsel pertaining to business and partnership tax matters.

Grand Rapids Grand Rapids 42 yrs experience 42 year
Call (616) 742-3930 Book Appointment

Profile Summary

About Robert R. Stead at a glance

Robert R. Stead is a business, tax, m&a, and securities attorney based in Grand Rapids, Michigan, practicing at Barnes & Thornburg LLP. They have 42+ years of legal experience, licensed to practice since 1984. Admitted to practice in Michigan (1984). Educated at New York University (LL.M., 1986) and Wayne State University (J.D., 1984). Recognitions include Best Lawyers in America — Business Organizations (including LLCs and Partnerships) (2026), Best Lawyers in America — Corporate Law (2026), and Best Lawyers in America — Mergers and Acquisitions Law (2026). Serands clients in Grand Rapids, MI and the surrounding metropolitan area.

Verified attorney profile · Updated June 2026

About

  • Bob is committed to making a difference for those he serves
  • Applying his deep tax background and education, Bob represents buyers and sellers in merger, acquisition and disposition transactions, and provides comprehensive counsel pertaining to business and partnership tax matters
  • He also advises start-up companies and established businesses alike interested in pursuing capital sources from the private equity market to raise capital for a number of diverse enterprises
  • Bob’s industry experience is diverse and includes the oil and gas exploration, energy conservation, bio fuels, furniture manufacturing, distribution and automotive industries
  • A personable and versatile attorney, Bob co-chairs both the Agriculture and Food and General Counsel Services practice groups
  • He also has front-line chief legal officer experience, having served as general counsel to a multibillion dollar foodservice distribution business with operations in the U.S. and Canada
  • Bob is a frequent author on tax and business issues pertaining to entity formation, conversions of C corporations to S corporations, joint venture formations, and S corporation acquisitions

Practice Areas Explained

Robert R. Stead's Areas of Practice

Each practice area below reflects the types of cases Robert R. Stead handles, with a brief overview of what that area of law covers.

Business & Corporate Law

Business attorneys advise founders and growing companies on entity formation, contracts, financing, M&A, and dispute resolution.

Robert R. Stead is one of 501,317 business attorneys indexed nationally. Browse business attorneys in Michigan →

Tax Law

Tax attorneys handle IRS audits, tax debt, international tax, estate planning, and tax court litigation.

Robert R. Stead is one of 85,302 tax attorneys indexed nationally. Browse tax attorneys in Michigan →

Mergers & Acquisitions

Robert R. Stead is one of 49,731 m&a attorneys indexed nationally. Browse m&a attorneys in Michigan →

Securities Law

Robert R. Stead is one of 64,529 securities attorneys indexed nationally. Browse securities attorneys in Michigan →

Jurisdictional Context

Why local counsel matters in Michigan

Practicing law in Michigan. Legal matters in Michigan are governed by state-specific rules of civil and criminal procedure, statutes of limitations, and substantive law. Cases originating in Grand Rapids are typically filed in the local municipal court or the appropriate Michigan state district court, depending on subject matter and amount in controversy. An attorney licensed in Michigan brings working knowledge of local procedural deadlines, judicial practices in this andnue, and the substantive law that applies to cases brought here. Out-of-state attorneys generally cannot represent clients in Michigan courts without local counsel or pro hac vice admission.

Looking for additional Michigan attorneys? Browse all attorneys in Grand Rapids or all attorneys in Michigan.

Frequently Asked

Common questions about Robert R. Stead

Where is Robert R. Stead's law office located?
Robert R. Stead's law practice is located in Grand Rapids, Michigan. The firm is Barnes & Thornburg LLP. You can contact the office directly through this profile page.
What practice areas does Robert R. Stead handle?
Robert R. Stead focuses on business, tax, m&a, securities. Each practice area listed reflects experience handling cases of that type in Michigan.
How long has Robert R. Stead practiced law?
Robert R. Stead has 42+ years of legal experience and has been licensed since 1984.
Where did Robert R. Stead go to law school?
Robert R. Stead earned their education at (LL.M., 1986); (J.D., 1984); (B.B.A., 1980).
How can I contact Robert R. Stead for a consultation?
You can contact Robert R. Stead directly through this profile page. Click "Ask the Attorney" to submit a question, or "Schedule a Consultation" to book a meeting. Most claimed-profile attorneys respond within one business day.
What awards or recognition has Robert R. Stead received?
Robert R. Stead's notable recognition includes: Best Lawyers in America — Business Organizations (including LLCs and Partnerships); Best Lawyers in America — Corporate Law; Best Lawyers in America — Mergers and Acquisitions Law; Best Lawyers in America — Securities / Capital Markets Law; Best Lawyers in America — Securitization and Structured Finance Law.

Education

LL.M.
New York University
- 1986
J.D.
Wayne State University
- 1984
B.B.A.
University of Michigan
- 1980

Awards

Best Lawyers in America — Business Organizations (including LLCs and Partnerships)
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Corporate Law
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Mergers and Acquisitions Law
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Securities / Capital Markets Law
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Securitization and Structured Finance Law
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Tax Law
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Additional Areas of Practice:
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Private Funds / Hedge Funds Law
- 2026
Lawyer of the Year — Business Organizations (including LLCs and Partnerships) (Grand Rapids)
- 2025
Lawyer of the Year — Tax Law (Grand Rapids)
- 2025
Lawyer of the Year — Mergers and Acquisitions Law (Grand Rapids)
- 2022
Lawyer of the Year — Mergers and Acquisitions Law (Grand Rapids)
- 2017

Bar Admissions

Michigan
Admitted: 1984

Reviews

These reviews belong to platform users; they do not constitute advertisement or promotion for the attorney. Opinions are published for informational purposes only.

No reviews yet.