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Steven M. Sitek
Shareholder
Steven M. Sitek
Shareholder
Trust and Estate Litigation, Business and Commercial Litigation, Lawyers Professional Liability, Construction, Real Estate
Overview
Steve Sitek is an aggressive, efficient and ethical trial attorney with more than 25 years of experience representing clients in trust and estate disputes, commercial and business litigation, fiduciary litigation, legal malpractice defense, and construction and real estate disputes.
He has successfully tried dozens of cases in state and federal courts across the country and is a Minnesota State Bar Association Civil Trial Specialist, a certification awarded to less than 3% of trial attorneys in Minnesota. Steve relies on his experience and expertise to effectively represent his client’s interests in a collaborative manner to achieve their ultimate goals for a fair price and in the most efficient manner possible. He is co-chair of Bassford Remele's Trust and Estate Litigation Practice Group.
EDUCATION & ADMISSIONS
Education
- Hamline University School of Law, J.D., magna cum laude, 1999
- University of St. Thomas, B.A., 1996
Bar Admissions
- U.S. Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit
- U.S. District Court, District of Minnesota
- U.S. District Court, District of Nebraska
- U.S. District Court, District of South Dakota
- U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Arkansas
- U.S. District Court, Western District of Arkansas
- U.S. District Court, Western District of Washington
- U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Wisconsin
- U.S. District Court, Western District of Wisconsin
- U.S. Court of Federal Claims
- Minnesota
- Washington
- North Dakota
- South Dakota
- Wisconsin
Certifications
- Minnesota State Bar Association Board Certified Civil Trial Specialist
EXPERIENCE
Representative Cases
Successfully negotiated a favorable settlement of a complex gas explosion case involving a small fraction of $22 million in damages sought by plaintiffs.
Negotiated favorable settlements for plaintiffs in a breach of fiduciary duty matter against a trustee in Florida.
Obtained a jury defense verdict representing trustees accused of breach of fiduciary duties while simultaneously obtaining a judgment against the plaintiff for civil theft of and misappropriation of estate funds.
Successfully negotiated major settlement in favor of disputed trust beneficiaries involving a $60 million North Dakota Trust involving land and mining rights.
Obtained multimillion-dollar settlement for plaintiff in fraud, civil theft, and tortious interference claims involving diversion of investment accounts and real estate.
Negotiated significant and favorable settlements for plaintiffs in two separate disputes involving prenuptial agreements involving payment of trust assets.
Obtained favorable result for clients in case involving substantial property damage resulting from construction work.
Obtained appellate victory on behalf of clients seeking indemnification and advancement of attorney fees from limited liability corporation.
Obtained summary judgment in favor of client contesting a will and antenuptial agreement.
Obtained successful decision in a court trial in favor of clients who contested several trust iterations on the basis of undue influence resulting in the shift of more than $2 million in assets.
Obtained summary judgment in favor of trustee in case involving allegations of breach of fiduciary duties.
Obtained favorable settlement for clients in breach of contract case involving mining exploration.
Obtained victory at trial for an airplane engine manufacturer in dispute regarding defective engine component parts.
NEWS & EVENTS
Bassford Brief: Identifying and Addressing Conflicts of Interest
The Bassford Brief: Legal Issues for Lawyers | Attorney at Law Magazine | Vol. 13, No. 6 | June...
Thirty Attorneys Selected to Super Lawyers Lists; Lew Remele is Top Vote-Getter
Bassford Remele is pleased to announce that Lewis Remele is the top vote-getter in the 2024...
Bassford Brief: Why Spring Cleaning Should Extend to a Lawyer's Wellbeing
The Bassford Brief: Legal Issues for Lawyers | Attorney at Law Magazine | Vol. 13, No. 5 | May...
Steve Sitek and Kiralyn Locke to Present at Minnesota Probate Seminar
Bassford Remele Shareholder Steve Sitek and Attorney Kiralyn Locke will co-present "Ethics" at the...
Fourteen Attorneys Selected to The Best Lawyers in America
Bassford Remele is pleased to announce that fourteen lawyers have been included in the 2024 Edition...
Sixteen Attorneys Selected to Super Lawyers Lists; Lew Remele is Top Vote-Getter
Bassford Remele is pleased to announce that Lewis Remele is the top vote-getter in the 2023...
Trust and Litigation Seminar featuring Amy Morris Hess on January 24, 2023
The Bassford Remele Trust and Estates Litigation Practice Group will host a lunch, seminar, and...
Bassford Brief: Assessing Capacity
The Bassford Brief: Legal Issues for Lawyers | Attorney at Law Magazine | Vol. 12, No. 10 | October...
Steven Sitek is Certified as a Civil Trial Law Specialist by the Minnesota State Bar Association
Steven Sitek has fulfilled the requirements of the Minnesota State Bar Association’s (MSBA)...
PROFESSIONAL & CIVIC
Bar Associations
- Minnesota State Bar Association
- Assembly, 2019-2020
- Probate and Trust Law Section
- Litigation Committee Section
- Civil Litigation Section
- South Dakota State Bar Association
- State Bar Association of North Dakota
- State Bar of Wisconsin
- Washington State Bar Association
- Hennepin County Bar Association
Professional Associations
- International Association of Defense Counsel, past member
- Business Litigation Committee Vice Chair of Communications, 2014-2019
- Professional Liability Defense Federation
- Defense Research Institute
- Minnesota Defense Lawyers Association, past member
- Immediate Past President, 2019-2020
- President, 2018-2019
- Vice President, 2017-2018
- Treasurer, 2016-2017
- Secretary, 2015-2016
- Board of Directors, 2010-2021
- Construction Section, Board Liaison, 2017-2020; Chair 2006-2009
- Product Liability Section, Board Liaison, 2012-2017
- Construction Law Section Chair, 2006-2009
Civic Involvement
- Advocates for Human Rights, Volunteer Attorney, Asylum Project
- Tubman Safety Project, Volunteer Attorney
- St. Paul Lacrosse, Board of Directors
- St. Paul Capitals, Hockey Coach
- Highland Little League, Baseball Coach
- Prodeo Academy, former tutor
ACCOLADES
Honors & Awards
- The Best Lawyers in America©, Insurance Law and Litigation-Trusts and Estates, 2021-present
- Top Lawyers list, Trusts and Estates Litigation, Minnesota Monthly, 2022 and 2023
- North Star Lawyer, Minnesota State Bar Association, 2019 and 2020
- Minnesota Super Lawyers list, Super Lawyers, 2013-present
- Minnesota Rising Stars list, Super Lawyers, 2006-2012
- Up and Coming Attorney, Minnesota Lawyer, 2010
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Publications
Mr. Sitek was interviewed by Super Lawyers:
- Carrying the Burden: Steven Sitek is willing to settle, until his opponents aren't, Minnesota Rising Stars Magazine, January 2010
Publications:
- Identifying and Addressing Conflicts of Interest, co-author, Attorney at Law, June 2024
- Assessing Capacity: A Requirement that Extends Beyond Estate Planners, co-author, Attorney at Law, October 2023
- Remodeling the Relationship: Modifying the Tripartite Relationship between Insurer, Insured, and the Insured’s Attorney, co-author, International Association of Defense Counsel, Construction Law and Litigation Committee Newsletter, January 2013
- Claims for Contribution and Indemnity after Weston v. McWilliams: Where do the Claims Start and Where do the Claims Stop?, co-author, Minnesota Defense, Fall 2006
- Public Policy Considerations for Exculpatory and Indemnification Clauses, co-author, 32 Wm. Mitchell L. Rev. 1315 (2006)
Seminars
- Ethics, co-presenter with K. Locke, Minnesota Probate Process from Start to Finish Seminar, May 29, 2024
- Collaborative Trial Practice, presenter, Academy of Certified Trial Lawyers of Minnesota 2023 Spring Meeting, May 4, 2023
- Trustee Removals and Trust Modifications, co-presenter with Amy Morris Hess, Bassford Remele A Loss of Trust: What Trust and Estate Litigators Think Estate Planners Need to Know, January 24, 2023
- Succession Planning: Practical and Ethical Considerations to Ensure the Future Success of Your Legal Organization, presenter, International Association of Defense Counsel, November 2022
- Putting on the Greatest Show on Earth (Without Looking Like a Clown), presenter, International Association of Defense Counsel Midyear Meeting, February 26, 2020
- Trust & Estate Risks and Pitfalls for Attorneys, presenter, Minnesota Lawyers Mutual, July 17, 2019
- Legal Update: Payment of Fiduciary Attorneys’ Fees, presenter, Minnesota Lawyers Mutual, May 2, 2018
- Claims Handling for Minnesota Cases, presenter, private insurance company, September 26, 2017
- Litigating Under Minnesota’s Uniform Trust Code, presenter, U.S. Bank, January 27, 2016
- Settling Trust and Estate Disputes Without Litigation, presenter, National Business Institute, January 21, 2016
- Recent Cases, presenter, Minnesota State Bar Association Probate and Trust Section Annual Meeting, December 4, 2015
- Minnesota’s New Uniform Trust Code, presenter, Minnesota Continuing Legal Education, November 2015
- Mom Always Liked You Best – Trust and Estate Litigation and the New Minnesota UTC, presenter, Bremer Wealth Management, November 9, 2015
- Litigating Under Minnesota’s Uniform Trust Code, presenter, Minnesota Continuing Legal Education, October 28, 2015
- Updates, Reallocation, Experts, Duty to Defend and Collateral Sources, presenter, private insurance company, November 11, 2014
- Claims Handling for Minnesota Cases: Directors and Officers, presenter, private insurance company, March 18, 2014
- Claims Handling for Minnesota Cases: Tenders of Defense, Indemnification, and Additional Insured Status, presenter, private insurance company, November 5, 2013
- Claims Handling for Minnesota Cases: First-Party Bad Faith, Premises Liability, Product Liability and No-Fault Arbitration, presenter, private insurance company, March 7, 2013
- Home Warranty Statute Changes: What Contractors Need to Know, presenter, Bassford Remele public seminar, July 27, 2011