About Stoa
Work directly with
the person building it
I'm Stephen Stanwood, a lawyer and developer in Campbell, California. Stoa is my practice for building better websites and public software.
You work directly with me, from the first conversation through design, development, launch, and ongoing care.
See the client work
Public work is personal
A school website helps a family decide where to send a child. A church site helps someone walk through the door for the first time. A public portal helps a resident get something done and get on with their day. Those are the people I want the work to serve.
I studied public policy at the University of Chicago, earned my JD from Santa Clara, and spent years at law firms and in government. That background helps me work with the practical constraints around public projects: procurement, accessibility, records, and decisions that need to be explained.
I use modern tools, including AI, to help with research, development, and testing. I stay responsible for the decisions and the finished work. Keeping the practice small means the person who hears what you need is the person building it.
How we work together
A few things you can count on
You own the work
Your code, content, accounts, and documentation belong to you. Continued support should be useful enough to keep, and straightforward to leave.
Accessibility belongs in the build
Keyboard navigation, readable contrast, clear forms, and assistive technology are part of the design and testing process. WCAG 2.2 AA is the standard we work toward.
A clear scope and a fixed price
We agree on the work, the timeline, and the fee before the project begins. If the scope changes, we discuss it in writing.
Your time matters
Most work can move forward by email or in your existing shared workspace. Calls are there when they help; standing meetings are optional.
The name
An open place for public life
In ancient Greece, a stoa was a covered colonnade at the edge of the agora. A practical, open place where people could meet, trade, and do the city's business.
That's a useful ambition for public software: welcoming, easy to use, and built to hold up. The beam over our wordmark is a small nod to that architecture.
Ready for public work
Stoa Works LLC is based in Campbell, California, and works with local governments and nonprofits across the country. We respond to RFPs and RFQs and can work within an agency's procurement and payment requirements.
If your process allows a direct engagement, a short email is a good place to start. We can provide a written scope, references, a W-9, and insurance documentation as needed.
See services and pricingYour next project
What would make your website more useful?
Tell us who it serves, what's getting in the way, and when you need it. A paragraph is enough to start.