Turnbull & Stark, P.C.

Law Office Mission Reginald H. Turnbull Stephen J. Stark Staff

Older Persons Baby Boomers Young Parents Persons with Disabilities & Their Families Financial & Healthcare Professionals Persons with Disputes Fiduciaries

Elder Law Estate Planning Special Needs Planning Estate Administration Mediation Collaborative Law Social Security Appeals

Links Power Point Presentations Schedule of Presentations Forms Newsletters Articles & Videos

Email Us Map & Directions

Stephen J. Stark was born in Bethany, Missouri in 1959, the oldest of eight children. As a child, he lived in several small towns in northern Missouri before going to college in St. Louis, Missouri.

EDUCATION. Stephen received his undergraduate degree in social work (B.S.S.W.) in 1981 from St. Louis University, his law (Juris Doctor-JD) degree in 1986 and his Master of Laws (LL.M.) degree in dispute resolution in 2000 - both from the University of Missouri-Columbia. He is conversant in Spanish having also participated in Spanish language programs in Madrid, Spain, and Guadalajara, Mexico.

EXPERIENCE. Stephen worked in the private practice in Hillsboro, MO, in 1986-1987. From 1987 to 1999, he served as a legal counsel to the Missouri Department of Insurance in Jefferson City, MO. After receiving his Master of Laws degree, he served as a hearing officer for the Department of Social Services in 2000 and as a mediator for the Missouri Division of Workers Compensation in 2001-2002. He returned to private practice as a sole practitioner in Jefferson City from 2002 to 2004 before joining Turnbull & Stark, P. C., in August 2004.

Stephen serves as a mediator in disputes about employment issues, family issues (divorce and child custody), business, private contract, and probate (e.g., disagreements among heirs). He has expanded his practice to the areas of estate planning (including special needs trusts), probate administration, Social Security and other disability law, elder law and guardianships-conservatorships.

Stephen is a mediator for the MARCH program (child-custody disputes) and a hearing officer for the Missouri Gaming Commission and the Local Government Employees Retirement System (LAGERS). Finally, his practice also includes business disputes and direct representation in divorce/child custody matters.

PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS. Stephen is a member of the following professional organizations: The Missouri Bar serving on its Alternative Dispute Resolution and Elder Law Committees; the Cole County Bar Association; the Association of Missouri Mediators, serving on its Board of Directors; and the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys, serving on the Board of Directors of its Missouri Chapter. He also serves as a lawyer for families referred through the Missouri Bar, Cole County Juvenile Court, and the Samaritan Center LegalCare program.

CIVIC ORGANIZATIONS. Stephen is a member of the Jefferson City Breakfast Rotary Club (having served as an officer and member of the Board of Directors); Historic City of Jefferson; and the Lewis & Clark Bicentennial Task Force. He also has participated in cultural exchange programs as a member of the Rotary International Group Study Exchange delegation to Kanagawa, Japan and as a member of the Sister City partnership between Jefferson City, MO, and Muenchberg, Germany.

FAMILY & PERSONAL. Stephen has been married to Sheila since 1992, and his hobbies (when he finds time for them) include stamp collecting, family genealogy research, and reading American history and exploring American historical sites.