We are Growing!
Our law firm is pleased to announce that our team has grown with the addition of our newest talent. Dr. Stephen Asperheim brings huge potential to the firm in his role as paralegal, and we are blessed to have his expertise in our legal and general research department. We offer him a big welcome to the CRM family, and we give each of you the following introduction:
Personal Experience
Stephen Asperheim brings to Cox, Rodman & Middleton extensive experience in critical analysis, problem-solving, and service to others. He was born and raised in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. A proud graduate of the Milwaukee Public School system, Stephen fell in love with history thanks to the encouragement of a great teacher. He attended Macalester College, a small liberal arts school in St. Paul, Minnesota, where he was a member of its nationally-renowned debate team. His positive experiences with his professors reinforced his desire to pursue an advanced degree in History. He graduated with a double major in History and Geography after completing an honors project on an obscure border dispute between the United States and Canada.
Stephen was accepted into the History graduate program at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. His major field was Colonial America and Early National U.S., with minor fields in Modern U.S. and Modern Britain. He was a teaching assistant for fifteen semesters, instructing undergraduates in American and European history. He twice appeared on the university’s “Incomplete List of Excellent Teachers.” He successfully defended his doctoral dissertation, an exploration of the intersection between nationalism and regionalism in the new Republic with a focus on Kentucky, the first Western state. To conduct his research he spent over a year living in this beautiful state, in both Lexington and Louisville. His work was facilitated by a fellowship from the Filson Historical Society in Louisville.
Immediately upon graduating Stephen took a position as Assistant Professor at Savannah State University, beginning his long association with the Lowcountry. During the course of his ten years with SSU he was the head of the History program and a faculty senator. He taught classes in American, European, and Latin American history, and consistently received good or excellent teaching evaluations. By far his most rewarding experiences involved working one-on-one with students in a tutorial capacity. He was the faculty advisor to the student History Club and met with prospective students on High School Visitation Day. He was tenured in 2009.
Legal Experience
A career transition to the paralegal field was a logical extension of Stephen’s work in higher education, as it enabled him to apply his professional training in research, writing, and oral communication to the legal arena. It also granted him the privilege of continuing to help others achieve their goals. He attended South University in Savannah, an ABA-approved program, where his courses included Criminal Law, Civil Litigation, Business Law, and Legal Research and Writing. As part of his education he served as an intern with Donald L. Montgomery of Scheer, Montgomery & Call. Under his aegis Stephen adopted the case filing system for the new office of the Bryan County Solicitor General; assisted in drafting motions and client letters; and attended court in Chatham County, Bryan County, and Garden City. He obtained his Associate Degree in Paralegal Studies from South University in 2017, graduating with a 4.0 grade point average.
Activities and Outreach
Stephen has lived in Savannah for over 15 years. As professor at Savannah State University his service to the community included consulting the Ossabaw Island Foundation and the Owens-Thomas House in downtown Savannah. He served on a panel at the Fourth Savannah Symposium of the Architectural History Department of the Savannah College of Art and Design in 2005. He is a member of the South Eastern Association of Legal Assistants (SEALA). He is dedicated to lifelong professional development as a paralegal and understands the responsibility of public service.
Stephen’s big passion outside the workplace is birding, a hobby which frequently requires him to wake up at 4 a.m. to visit wildlife refuges, the Tybee beach, central Georgia sod farms, and mosquito-infested trails in the Florida Everglades. His lifetime goal is to see 500 North American birds. He is thrilled to have recently become an uncle.
