Representative Matters
Representative Matters
Steve recently successfully defended a Maryland college and nine of its faculty and staff members named as defendants in an eleven count complaint filed by two students in federal court alleging discrimination, constitutional violations and tort and contract claims. The main plaintiff was a prolific litigator, having filed nearly two dozen lawsuits against various colleges, businesses, and government agencies. He tried to turn a simple grade dispute into complex litigation, challenging the core of the college’s commitment to fairness and non-discrimination in a massive complaint. After extensive briefing of the multifaceted motion to dismiss filed on behalf of the College, the district judge agreed to dismiss all claims with prejudice. The Fourth Circuit affirmed.
Steve served as lead counsel for a large employer in a non-solicitation and non-disclosure case filed against its largest competitor and two former employees, alleging unfair competition, breach of contract and tortious interference. The Court granted a preliminary injunction prohibiting the competitor and the former employees from soliciting certain customers and from using or disclosing our client's confidential information. Following discovery, the parties negotiated a final consent order enjoining the former employees from soliciting specified customers and employees and prohibiting the use or disclosure of confidential information.
Steve successfully defended a Maryland college in a lawsuit by a former assistant professor whose tenure application was rejected both by the college's president and the board of trustees. She alleged that the denial of tenure breached the college's contract with her. She challenged the school's assessment of her professional development and asserted that her tenure denial had been wrongful on both procedural and substantive grounds. After lengthy discovery, the court rejected all of her claims and granted the college's motion for summary judgment.
Steve guided a large university and a large manufacturer in two complex reductions in force, each involving multiple departments and decision-makers. Both RIFs included many employees with long-term service. The reductions and reorganizations were prepared to comply with all applicable laws and to assure that our clients were able to retain those employees critical to the future success of the organizations. Every employee terminated in the two RIFs signed a severance agreement waiving all claims, other than one employee already in a lawsuit against the employer at the time of the RIF.
Steve represents employers in numerous industries, including accounting, architecture, bioscience, consulting, education, financial services, fitness and health, foodservice distribution, manufacturing, milk and beverage processing, professional services, real estate brokerage, retail sales, technology, and telecommunications. He presents seminars and training sessions for clients and numerous industry groups and associations throughout the country.
Miles & Stockbridge provides employment law advice on an ongoing basis on an array of matters of importance to numerous colleges and universities, working closely with the General Counsel and other senior leaders. We advise them in employment law, faculty matters, sensitive employment issues, student issues, internal investigations, and numerous other areas.
We serve as outside general counsel to several independent schools. We provide ongoing legal advice to the schools on employment law, faculty issues and faculty contracts, student conduct issues, enrollment agreements and other contract matters, school policies, and numerous other areas.
Miles & Stockbridge conducts extensive training for management and employees on topics of harassment, FMLA, internal investigations and employment law for managers.
Miles & Stockbridge provides ongoing employment law advice to a large dairy processor and distributor in areas including employment law, employee discipline, counseling and management, ADA, FMLA, labor relations, harassment and other issues.
