Our Attorneys

James B. Steward

Mr. Steward has over 35 years’ experience in handling probate and estate planning issues. He is certified as an Elder Law attorney by the National Elder Law Foundation (as accredited by the American Bar Association). He was the first Certified Elder Law Attorney in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, and the second attorney in the State of Michigan to be certified as an Elder Law attorney. He is the past Chair of the State Bar of Michigan Probate and Estate Planning Section Council, and also a past member of the Elder Law and Disability Rights Section Council. He continues to serve on several committees for both of those organizations. His practice emphasis is on Elder Law, which deals with such matters as Estate Planning (including both revocable and irrevocable Trusts), nursing home issues, Medicaid applications, asset protection (including special needs Trusts), Estate and Gift Tax planning, probate administration, Trust administration and guardianship/conservatorship questions. However, he also handles estate planning for younger clients, including those with young children. He is a graduate of the University of Michigan Law School. He is a member of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys, the Probate and Trust Law Section of the State Bar of Michigan, and is a past chairperson of the State Bar Awards Committee, having served three years in that capacity. He is also a past President of the Marquette County Bar Association. He was one of the original members of the Commission on Aging for the City of Negaunee, and served on that Commission for 12 years (and was elected chairperson several times). He also served on the Marquette County Commission on Aging for six years.

In 2019 Attorneys James Steward and Angela Hentkowski, both of Steward & Sheridan, PLC, obtained a decision from the Michigan Supreme Court overruling a Medicaid policy adopted by Michigan in 2014. This victory helps couples obtain Medicaid coverage when one spouse requires nursing home care. Attorneys Steward & Hentkowski have both been included on the annual Michigan Super Lawyers listings for many years (such selection is through peer nomination & evaluation, plus independent research by the Super Lawyers rating criteria).

Brian D. Sheridan

A graduate of the University of Michigan and the University of Michigan Law School, Mr. Sheridan practices in the areas of real estate transactions, real estate litigation, bank representation, commercial transactions and litigation, creditor representation in bankruptcy, and other general civil matters and litigation. He is a member of the State Bar of Michigan, where he belongs to the Sections on Business Law, Consumer Law, Real Property Law, and Insurance and Indemnity Law. He is a past President of the Marquette County Bar Association,and has published two articles in the Michigan Bar Journal. He is a member of the Board of Directors of the West End Health Foundation, an immediate past Board member of the Greater Ishpeming Negaunee Area Chamber of Commerce, and was instrumental in the formation of LARC (Living as A Real Community), a 501(c)(3) non-profit dedicated to creating a community of supported living homes for adults with developmental disabilities in Marquette County.

Robbie L. Powelson

A graduate of the Valparaiso University School of Law, and a native of Ishpeming, Mr. Powelson practices in the areas of criminal defense, drunk driving, adoptions, divorce and domestic relations, juvenile and delinquency proceedings, real estate, debt collection, landlord/tenant and guardianships and conservatorships. He is a Registered Direct Placement Adoption attorney, a former elected member of the Council of the Children’s Law Section of the State Bar of Michigan, and is a member of the State Bar of Michigan and the Marquette County Bar Association.

Angela M. Hentkowski

A native of Ishpeming, Mrs. Hentkowski is a graduate of the Thomas M. Cooley Law School, and earned a Master of Laws degree in Taxation from Thomas M. Cooley Law School as well, and a Master of Law degree in Elder Law from Stetson University. She is a Certified Elder Law Attorney by the National Elder Law Foundation (as accredited by the American Bar Association). She practices primarily in the areas of estate planning (including asset protection and special needs planning), probate and trust administration, and nursing home issues. An active member of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys, Mrs. Hentkowski is a past President of the Michigan chapter. She is an Accredited Attorney through the Department of Veterans Affairs, Office of General Counsel. She is also serving on the Council for the Elder and Disability Rights Section and Probate and Estate Planning Section of the State Bar of Michigan.

Peter J. Sikorsky

Mr. Sikorsky is from L’Anse and a graduate of the University of North Carolina at Charlotte and the Georgia State University College of Law in Atlanta, GA. He is a member of the State Bar of Georgia. He supports Mr. Sheridan in his practice in the areas of real estate transactions, real estate litigation, bank representation, commercial transactions and litigation, creditor representation in bankruptcy, and other general civil matters and litigation as a paralegal. Mr. Sikorsky has worked closely with local charitable organizations and public interest groups, advising them on how to obtain their objectives. 
His application to the State Bar of Michigan is pending.

Stephanie J. Quinnell

A recent transplant to the U.P., Mrs. Quinnell graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Finance from Florida State University, and graduated Magna Cum Laude from Mississippi College School of Law. She practices primarily in the areas of elder law, estate planning, and probate/trust administration. Mrs. Quinnell practiced in Florida for seven years prior to joining the firm and remains licensed there. She is licensed in Alabama as well.