Overview
Stephen is a shareholder, a member of the Firm’s Litigation Department, and previously served as the assistant chair for the Litigation Department. He is a highly-experienced appellate attorney, which has translated into consistent success for Stephen and his clients. Stephen has litigated and argued four cases before the Ninth Circuit – all resulting in victories – on complex takings, land use, and constitutional law issues. In addition, Stephen has argued numerous cases in the California Court of Appeal across a broad range of constitutional, land use, CEQA, and takings issues – all resulting in victories. Most recently, Stephen has been admitted to practice before the U.S. Supreme Court and successfully opposed a Petition for Writ of Certiorari.
In addition to providing comprehensive and successful litigation counsel on matters from their inception at trial court through their final adjudication on appeal, Stephen has extensive experience at the administrative level in advising clients on minimizing risks and liabilities and building cases and defenses prior to the commencement of litigation. This work has included briefing and oral argument at administrative hearings and the preparation and revision of resolutions, staff reports, Environmental Impact Reports, Statements of Overriding Consideration, and responses to comment letters.
Stephen is also adept at resolving cases, having successfully briefed and argued in mediation and other settlement proceedings that have resulted in favorable outcomes for Stephen’s clients. This has included resolutions in which Stephen has been able to reduce an opposing litigant’s claims of over $4.3 million in damages to only $400,000 despite a client’s clear liability.
Work for Clients
Stephen has represented the cities of Agoura Hills, Beverly Hills, Brea, Buena Park, Calimesa, Compton, Hawthorne, Highland, Indio, Manhattan Beach, Newport Beach, Oceanside, Pasadena, Rancho Cucamonga, San Marino, Seal Beach, Temecula, Upland, and Whittier.
Professional Experience
Prior to joining Richards, Watson & Gershon, from 2011 to 2013, Stephen clerked for the Honorable Ann I. Jones and thereafter, the Honorable Luis A. Lavin in the Writs and Receivers Department of the Los Angeles Superior Court. Judge Lavin has since been appointed as an Associate Justice to Division 3 of the Court of Appeal, and Judge Jones has sat as a Justice Pro-Tem in Division 3 of the Court of Appeal. As one of only three writ of mandate law clerks in the entire LA County, Stephen assisted in adjudicating hundreds of complex writs of mandate, receivership, and injunctive relief cases filed by and against cities, public entities, administrative agencies, and private parties throughout California.
Professional and Community Affiliations
Member, Los Angeles County Bar Association
Practice Areas
Focus Areas
Education
J.D., Vanderbilt University Law School
B.A., magna cum laude, Georgetown University
