Steve Cernak is a respected leader in the international antitrust and competition law community. He served as in-house antitrust counsel for General Motors for more than 20 years, ultimately becoming responsible for global antitrust compliance, merger reviews, and litigation. After leaving GM, Steve spent 7 years in the Ann Arbor office of Schiff Hardin, serving clients big and small both inside and outside the automotive community. Steve now assists clients on a broad array of competition and consumer protection matters including compliance programs, joint efforts with competitors, pricing and distribution strategies, and merger reviews. Steve is a prolific writer and is the author of Antitrust Simulations published by West Academic and Antitrust in Distribution and Franchising published by Lexis. He is also comments frequently on antitrust matters in various publications and blogs including The Antitrust Attorney Blog and AntitrustConnect. Steve also is a regular adjunct professor on various antitrust classes at the University of Michigan Law School and in the Corporate and Finance LLM Program at the WMU Cooley Law School. Further details can be found at the Bona Law PC website.
Lawyer Profile

Steven J. Cernak
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Recognized Since:2020
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Recognized in:Antitrust Law
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Law School:University of Michigan - Ann Arbor
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Website:
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Languages:English
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Location:28175 Haggerty RoadNovi, MI 48377
Steve Cernak is a respected leader in the international antitrust and competition law community. He served as in-house antitrust counsel for General Motors for more than 20 years, ultimately becoming responsible for global antitrust compliance, merger reviews, and litigation. After leaving GM, Steve spent 7 years in the Ann Arbor office of Schiff Hardin, serving clients big and small both inside and outside the automotive community. Steve now assists clients on a broad array of competition and consumer protection matters including compliance programs, joint efforts with competitors, pricing and distribution strategies, and merger reviews. Steve is a prolific writer and is the author of Antitrust Simulations published by West Academic and Antitrust in Distribution and Franchising published by Lexis. He is also comments frequently on antitrust matters in various publications and blogs including The Antitrust Attorney Blog and AntitrustConnect. Steve also is a regular adjunct professor on various antitrust classes at the University of Michigan Law School and in the Corporate and Finance LLM Program at the WMU Cooley Law School. Further details can be found at the Bona Law PC website.
Lawyer Bio
Education:
- University of Michigan - Ann Arbor, MA, graduated 1989
- University of Michigan - Ann Arbor, JD, graduated 1989
- University of Michigan - Ann Arbor, AB, graduated 1986
Bar Admissions:
- Michigan, 1989
Affiliations:
- ABA Antitrust Law Section - Marketing Officer
- State Bar of Michigan - Member
- University of Michigan Law School - Adjunct Professor
- WMU Cooley Law School LLM Program - Adjunct Professor
Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America for work in:
- Antitrust Law
Awards:
- State Bar of Michigan John W. Cummiskey Award (Pro Bono Lawyer of Year) 2001
Q&A
Tell us a little bit about your practice and what makes it unique.
- I spent decades in-house, so I understand how fast-paced business can be and why clients need timely and actionable advice. Having taught for more than ten years, I can explain complicated antitrust concepts in easy-to-understand language. Writing two books and frequently commenting on today's hottest antitrust topics means I can keep up the most complicated concepts and debates.
What common questions are you asked by clients, and what are your answers?
- How do the antitrust laws affect the way that I want to buy, sell, and distribute my goods and services? Of course, the easy answer is "it depends" but my knowledge of business and antitrust law allows me to answer that question with specific, actionable advice.
Describe one of your most interesting or memorable cases in the past year.
- One of the more frequent questions that I've answered this year is how the US antitrust laws affect how companies can impose and implement minimum advertised pricing programs.
What is most challenging about your area(s) of expertise?
- In antitrust, it is helpful to know the history of the law and business practices but you also must keep up with latest in economic theory and business developments.
Were there any particular inspirations (people or events) that spurred your interest in your practice area(s)?
- Because I was studying for my masters in applied economics at the same time I was in law school, antitrust was a natural practice for me, especially when I began at General Motors. I found that I enjoyed it and haven't left.
Lawyer Practice Areas
Key:
Awarded in Best Lawyers
Not Currently Awarded for this Area in Best Lawyers
Firm Details
Bona Law PC
https://www.businessjustice.co...
Headquarters
4275 Executive Square, Suite 200
La Jolla, CA 92037
(858) 964.4589
2
Office Locations
in 1
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