Steven D. Frenkil
Biography
Skillfully representing management in employment, education and health care law matters for over 40 years, Steve Frenkil has regularly been recognized in Chambers & Partners USA and Best Lawyers in America as a leading lawyer in education and labor and employment law in Maryland, including “Lawyer of the Year” for Labor Law – Management in Baltimore in 2021 by Best Lawyers.
A principal in the firm’s Baltimore and Washington, D.C. offices, Steve advises and defends employers on the full spectrum of employment matters. He counsels and advocates in an array of issues on behalf of educational institutions, and serves as outside general counsel to two of them. Issues on which he has recently advised education clients include faculty issues, Title IX, DEI, student conduct and discipline, cybersecurity and privacy, mental health, student recruitment and admissions, and similar issues, and defending schools in numerous lawsuits and investigations. He regularly represents health care clients in a variety of issues. He counsels clients in conducting internal investigations and in responding to government investigations.
Steve is ranked in the 2021-2025 editions of both Chambers & Partners USA and Best Lawyers as a leading lawyer in education law and labor and employment law in Maryland.
Employment Law
Steve has deep experience in advising and representing clients on the following matters: employment discrimination; sexual and racial harassment; non-competition, non-solicitation and non-disclosure agreements and disputes; trade secret protection; employment and severance agreements; employee performance and discipline; personnel practices and policies; reductions in force; confidential investigations of sensitive issues; wrongful discharge and whistleblower claims; defamation and other employment torts; ADA, FLSA, FMLA, OFCCP and OSHA compliance; and arbitration and mediation. And, when disputes arise, he represents employers before federal and state courts, administrative agencies and arbitrators throughout the country.
Education Law
Steve regularly counsels and defends colleges, universities, independent K-12 schools, public school districts, and for-profit educational entities in a broad array of issues and litigation involving faculty, staff and other employees, as well as student sexual and other misconduct, discipline, residence life, student affairs, compliance, internal and government investigations, litigation, administrative proceedings, risk mitigation, contracts and other matters.
Steve’s commitment to education extends beyond legal issues. He has focused his community service on helping schools, universities and alumni associations with outreach, growth and fundraising. He has served on boards, search committees, and advisory bodies of educational institutions, chaired local and national alumni associations, and has extensive involvement in the National Association of College and University Attorneys.
Click here to read more about Steve’s work in Education under Representative Matters.
Services
- ADA & FMLA Claims
- Class Actions
- Education Law
- Employment Discrimination Litigation
- Government Audits, Investigations & Compliance
- Health Care
- Human Resource Management
- Internal Investigations
- Investigations & Internal Compliance Audits
- Labor, Employment, Benefits & Immigration
- Litigation & Dispute Resolution
- Non-Competition Agreements & Trade Secrets
- Occupational Safety & Health
- Severance Agreements
- Traditional Labor Law
- Workforce Reduction, Plant Closings & WARN
- Appellate
Industries
Education
- University of Maryland School of Law (J.D., with honors, 1977)
- George Washington University (B.A., 1974)
- with Distinction
- Phi Beta Kappa
Bar Admissions
- District of Columbia, 1978
- Maryland, 1978
Professional Affiliations
- Associated Black Charities: Higher Education Public Policy Committee
- American Bar Association: Section on Employment and Labor Law
- Chesapeake Human Resources Association
- Howard County Human Resources Society: Board Member and Legislative Chair (2004-2008)
- Leadership Howard County: Class of 2002
- Maryland State Bar Association: Member; Section on Employment and Labor Law Council (2000-2010)
- National Association of College and University Attorneys: Annual Program Committee (2009); CLE Committee (2009-2014)
- Society for Human Resource Management
- Stevenson University: President's Advisory Council
Special Honors
- Chambers USA – America's Leading Lawyers for Business: Listed in the area of Labor & Employment-Maryland (2021-2025)
- Best Lawyers in America®: Selected for inclusion in the areas of Employment Law – Management and Labor Law - Management (2007-2026) and Litigation – Labor & Employment (2024-2026)
- Best Lawyers in America®: "Lawyer of the Year," Employment Law – Management, Baltimore (2017); Labor Law - Management, Baltimore (2021)
- Baltimore Magazine "Top Lawyer" for Education (2026)
- Friends School of Baltimore: Distinguished Alumni Award (2011)
- George Washington University Alumni Association: Alumni Outstanding Service Award (2010)
- Martindale-Hubbell Peer Review Rating: AV Preeminent® Rated
- Maryland Super Lawyers®: Selected for inclusion in the area of Employment & Labor, Schools & Education, Employment Litigation: Defense (2007-2013); Employment & Labor (2007-2021, 2024); Schools & Education (2025)
- Super Lawyers®:Corporate Counsel Edition: Listed in the area of Employment & Labor Law (2009-2012)
- Who's Who in American Law (2006-2014)
Community Activities
- Creative Alliance of Baltimore: Marquee Ball Honorary Chair (2016)
- Friends School of Baltimore: Finance Committee
- George Washington Alumni Association: President (2013-2015); President-Elect (2012-2013); Vice-President for Student-Alumni Initiatives (2008-2012)
- George Washington University: Search Committee for Dean of the Columbian College of Arts and Sciences (2013); Search Committee for the Associate Vice President of Alumni Relations (2015)
Court Admissions
- United States Supreme Court
- United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit
- United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit
- United States District Court for the District of Columbia
- United States District Court for the District of Maryland
