In addition to his law practice, Mr. Stern is involved in community activities, such as B'nai B'rith International, where he serves on the Executive Committee and Board of Governors. In his capacity as a Board member, Mr. Stern serves on various committees, attends embassy and U.N. events, meets with government and community leaders, and attends policy conferences.
Stephen Stern is a partner in the firm’s employment, insurance, and commercial litigation practices.
In connection with his employment practice, Mr. Stern helps employers minimize exposure to liability by developing and implementing effective employment policies and practices. In this regard, he advises employers on strategic matters, such as trade secret protection programs, non-compete, non-solicitation and confidentiality agreements, wage and hour practices, privacy issues, independent contractor arrangements, employee handbooks, and document retention practices. In addition, he advises employers on issues that arise on a day-to-day basis, such as leave requests, employee discipline, accommodations for individuals with disabilities, and termination decisions. Mr. Stern also conducts training seminars and investigations into allegations of misconduct. When litigation has been required, Mr. Stern has successfully represented clients in federal and state courts and before federal, state, and local administrative agencies, including the EEOC and Department of Labor. His cases have involved claims under Title VII, ADEA, ADA, FLSA, FMLA, SOX, and similar state statutes. In addition, he has litigated numerous trade secret claims and cases involving non-compete, non-solicitation, and confidentiality agreements, and related tort claims.
With respect to his insurance practice, Mr. Stern advises insurers on coverage issues involving commercial general liability policies, directors and officers liability policies, employment practices liability policies, errors and omissions liability policies, excess liability policies, and umbrella policies. In addition, he has represented insurers in federal and state courts in connection with breach of contract actions, allegations of bad faith, and alleged violations of unfair and deceptive trade practices acts. He also has defended insurers against tortious conspiracy allegations and denying coverage on discriminatory grounds, among other types of claims.
As for commercial litigation, in addition to the employment and insurance disputes described above, Mr. Stern litigates a variety of other contract, tort, and statutory claims. In this regard, Mr. Stern has litigated matters involving consumer protection claims, bank loans, real estate disputes, ownership interests in privately-held companies, unfair competition, fraud, commercial contracts, mass torts, professional discipline, false imprisonment, and civil rights violations.
Mr. Stern graduated from Cornell University’s School of Industrial and Labor Relations and he received his law degree from George Washington University Law School. He is admitted to practice in the courts of Maryland, Virginia, and the District of Columbia. In addition, he is admitted to practice before the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland, U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia, U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit, U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit, and U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit.
Representative Cases
Connolly v. Mills Corp., Case No. 1:06CV179 (E.D. Va. 2006) obtained jury verdict defending company against allegations that senior executives terminated a former vice president due to his age
Grissom v. Mills Corp., 549 F.3d 313 (4th Cir. 2008) defended and resolved SOX whistleblower claim, then prevailed on appeal to vacate trial court’s award of attorneys’ fees and costs to the plaintiff
Sharabaika v. HCPM, Inc., et al., Civil Action No. 1:09-CV-02200 (D.D.C. June 14, 2010) obtained consent decree that protected confidential information and enforcement of a confidentiality and non-solicitation agreement
Doe v. North River Ins. Co., 719 F. Supp. 2d 1352 (M.D. Fla. 2010) obtained summary judgment for an insurer where the plaintiff in the underlying action sought coverage for a judgment in excess of $1.1 million
Kerrigan v. landerson61@rocketmail.com, Civ. No. 314625V (Mont. County Cir. Ct. Md. Dec. 10, 2009) obtained identity of anonymous blogger in defamation case filed by start-up company and its founders
Snowder v. District of Columbia, 949 A.2d 590 (D.C. 2008) prevailed on appeal defending tow truck operator in a purported class action under the consumer protection act where the plaintiffs did not establish the tow operators had a duty to notify vehicle owners their cars were towed
