Jeffrey Raymond Portko
Lawyer, Polish community leader
Born Mar. 26, 1954, Grand Rapids (MI), U.S.; son of Raymond and Susan (Pacewicz); married Sandra (Bartz); children: Christine, Timothy, Martin, Andrew, Caitlin.
Education: Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) (in economy), Grand Valley State University, Allendale (MI), 1976; Juris Doctor (J.D.), Wayne State University, Detroit (MI), 1980; Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.), University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, 1985.
Career: law clerk, Becker & Van Cleef, PC, Detroit, 1979-80, 3rd Circult Court Wayne County (MI), 1980-81; in Grand Rapids - associate, Lawson Law Offices, 1981-83, partner, Lawson Marcus & Portko, 1983-86, owner, Portko Law Offices, 1986 -, chairman, Grand Rapids Board of Review, 1986 -; satellite law office, Bielsko-Biala (Poland).
Author: articles in: Property Tax Assessment Appeals Process, 1987 -, and Polish Heritage Society Bulletin, 1988-92; reporter, Swiat Polski.
Member of: board directors executive, National Advocates Society, 1990; State Bar of Michigan; Grand Rapids Bar Foundation; Kent County Republican Executive Committee; Polish American Lawyers; trustee, Novi Township Board, 1978-80; chairman, Dozynki - Polish Harvest Festivals, 1984-91; Orchard Lake Ambassadors, Orchard Lake Schools, 1989; vice president, John Ball Park Community Association, Grand Rapids, 1992; Polish Heritage Society (secretary, 1983-87, president, 1987-91); president, Pulaski Days Patriotic Committee; chairman, Paczki Days celebration; founder, Executive Boxing Club; section, Bielsko-Biala Polish Sister City Committee for Grand Rapids City; Polish American Congress (P.A.C.); City International Relations Committee, Grand Rapids.
Honors: Outstanding Community Service award, Kent County Council, 1989; Pulaski Cross of Merit, Polish Heritage Society, 1991.
Affiliation: Republican. Roman Catholic.
Languages: English, German, Polish.
Hobbies: politics, boxing, Polish - American history.
Office: Portko Law Offices, 121 Michigan Street NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49504.
From: "Who's Who in Polish America" 1st Edition 1996-1997, Boleslaw Wierzbianski editor; Bicentennial Publishing Corporation,
New York, NY, 1996.