Steve litigates on behalf of limited liability companies, corporations, partnerships, government contractors, estates, and other law firms in federal courts, state courts, and alternative dispute resolution settings. He regularly handles commercial litigation, such as shareholder disputes, LLC member disputes, breach of contract claims, non-compete disputes, and dissolution-related disputes. 

Steve also drafts and negotiates contracts, including teaming agreements, non-disclosure agreements, subcontracts, consulting agreements, license agreements, and non-compete agreements.

While Steve’s civil litigation practice is diverse, he spends much of his time litigating breach of contract claims, shareholder disputes, LLC member disputes, and similar commercial disputes, including the following cases:

Breach of contract

Steve, in a reported June, 2015 opinion, argued and won a case in the Supreme Court of Virginia wherein the Court unanimously ruled in favor of Steve’s clients (two limited partnerships) in a breach of contract case. See, Spectra-4, LLP, et al. v. Uniwest Commercial Realty, Inc., 290 Va. 36, 772 S.E.2d 290 (2015).

In November, 2015, Steve filed a lawsuit on behalf of a major airline manufacturer that resulted in the defendant making an immediate half-million dollar concession in exchange for dismissal of the lawsuit. 

Judicial dissolution

Steve, in November, 2017, in a case wherein he was representing the minority member of a Delaware limited liability company and was admitted to practice in the Delaware Court of Chancery, obtained the judicial dissolution of the Delaware limited liability company.

Steve, in an April, 2017 trial in Fairfax County Circuit Court, successfully defended a corporation against a shareholder’s claims of judicial dissolution, breach of contract, and conversion.

Business torts

Steve, in July, 2017, obtained a favorable result for two executives and shareholders of a government contractor sued by their company for business torts, including breach of fiduciary duty and conspiracy. Despite being sued for millions of dollars, Steve’s clients, after filing counterclaims and obtaining favorable preliminary rulings from the Court, received a seven-figure settlement in their favor.

In June, 2015, Steve filed suit on behalf of a Delaware LLC against seven defendants alleging, among other counts, breach of fiduciary duty under Delaware law and conspiracy. The Court denied the defendants’ challenge to seventeen of the counts against them, and the case subsequently settled.

Steve, in November, 2014, obtained the dismissal of all claims against the majority shareholders of a District of Columbia corporation, see, Silberberg, et al. v. Becker, et al., 2014 D.C. Super. LEXIS 20, and, in subsequent proceedings, again obtained the dismissal of all claims against the majority shareholders. See, Silberberg, et al. v. Becker, et al., 2016 D.C. Super. LEXIS 7. Steve also obtained the dismissal of all claims against the majority shareholders in a separate case. See, Shenandoah Corporation v. Becker, et al., 2015 D.C. Super. LEXIS 1.

In December, 2014, Steve obtained the dismissal of all claims, including alleged breaches of fiduciary duties, brought against the owners of a registered investment advisor firm by a former member of the LLC. See, Preston Wealth Advisors LLC v. Bucevski, United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia, 1:14-cv-00445, Dkt. 45.

Computer crimes litigation

Steve is also experienced in civil claims arising from state and federal computer crime statutes, including the Computer Fraud & Abuse Act, the Stored Communications Act, and the Virginia Computer Crimes Act. In April, 2014, Steve obtained emergency injunctive relief in federal court on behalf of a limited liability company whose web site had been taken over without authority by a former member.

Government contracting

Steve has litigated on behalf of numerous government contractors. Steve, in 2012, obtained a summary judgment ruling on behalf of a corporation suing a government contractor. See, G4i Consulting, Inc. v. NANA Services, LLC, 2012 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 67293. Steve has filed multiple bid protests, including a September, 2017 bid protest regarding a $26,000,000 task order resulting in the government taking corrective action favorable to Steve’s clients. Steve also defended a government contractor sued under the False Claims Act in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Washington State.

Trusts and estates litigation

Steve also handles trust and estate litigation. Steve, in August, 2015, tried a case in Fairfax County Circuit Court on behalf of a trustee resulting in a favorable judgment for the trustee. Steve also resolved a will contest involving a Sharia will. In another estate case which was ultimately ruled upon by the Supreme Court of Virginia, Steve assisted in the successful representation of a client involved in a seven-figure estate-related dispute. See, Dolby v. Dolby, et al., 280 Va. 132 (2010).

Contract drafting and negotiation

Steve regularly negotiates contracts on behalf of corporate clients, such as a multi-million dollar contract between a consulting company and a union representing over one million members, and, separately, a funding agreement involving a major automobile manufacturer.