About Stephen John Petras
Stephen John Petras Jr. began his academic journey in the sciences. He earned a B.A. in physics from Wittenberg University in 1974 and went on to receive a J.D. from Case Western Reserve University School of Law in 1979. Those years shaped a methodical approach to legal problems and an interest in international matters.
He practices law in Ohio and is admitted in that jurisdiction. Over a multi-decade career he has combined private practice with organizational leadership. He served as president of the Greater Cleveland International Lawyers Group from 1996 to 2004 and later chaired the Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association’s International Law Section from 2006 to 2008. Those roles kept him close to cross-border practice and the practical issues that arise when businesses operate beyond U.S. borders.
Petras’s involvement in export and international business groups is long-standing. He has been a member of the Northern Ohio District Export Council since 2003 and helped found the Northeast Ohio International Business Network in 2004, where he continues to serve on the board. In 2013 he joined the executive committee of the Canada–United States Law Institute, an appointment that reflects his sustained interest in international legal connections between the two countries. In 2014 he added a board membership with the World Affairs Councils of America.
His civic work reaches back further. He served as chair of the Metro West Kiwanis Charitable Foundation in 1984 and later chaired the Cleveland Council on World Affairs in 2009. Those positions are part of a pattern of leadership in organizations that intersect international affairs, education and community engagement. He has balanced institutional governance with hands-on legal work throughout his career.
In 2012 he returned to Case Western Reserve University School of Law as an adjunct professor. He taught that year, sharing practical experience with students and maintaining ties to legal education. Teaching has been one of several ways he has remained active in the legal community beyond client work.
His practice in Ohio focuses on international business, trade and export matters. He continues to advise clients and participate in professional groups that address legal issues tied to cross-border commerce, regulatory compliance and international relations.
