Keith R. Stachowiak

Background Since joining Murphy & Prachthauser in 1983, Keith has been involved in the planning, development, and trial of cases, and, if necessary, their appeal. His partners and clients trust that he will open any door and take on any obstacle to obtain the best outcome and that he will do so with respect for the client, the law, and the opponent. Where others see obstacles, Keith looks for possibilities, consistently turning limitations into advantages in ways our clients and partners might never have imagined.

About his profession, Keith writes, ”Credibility is the key to success. There is a lot of distrust of the legal profession, and some of that is justified in my opinion by the actions of a few lawyers. I cringe when I read the same stories, and I want it to stop. And I think that judges, colleagues, and others involved in the legal system are better today at recognizing these tactics and punishing those that practice them. In addition to credibility, putting the interests of your clients first is equally important. My responsibility is to have a clear understanding of what my client wants and then to maneuver the available resources in order to provide the most satisfying result.“

Personal Comments Grade school education is a priority of Keith’s, and he has taken up this cause in his volunteer work. He was one of the three founding members of the St. Gerard fund, a scholarship fund established in 1997 that has assisted families in paying for a Catholic education in an area around his former school. It awards scholarships amounting to approximately $60,000 per year. He continues serving on the board of that organization and reviewing applications on a yearly basis.

He is the president of the Parkview Parochial League, an association of 23 area Catholic grade schools that offer basketball and volleyball programs. These programs focus on the educational value of these sports rather than winning at all costs. The goal is to teach the value of teamwork, dedication, personal consequences, and dozens of valuable life lessons.