John G. Stepanovich

Bio

JOHN G. STEPANOVICH

STEPANOVICH LAW, PLC

618 VILLAGE DRIVE, VIRGINIA BEACH, VA 23454

(O) 757-410-9696 ♦ (C) 757-343-3525

john@stepanovichlaw.com ♦ www.stepanovichlaw.com

Mr. Stepanovich has over 30 years of experience in courtrooms across the country including matters attracting national recognition and cases before the United States Supreme Court. A federal judge that he appeared before called him, a “trial lawyer with few peers.” Mr. Stepanovich concentrates his practice on litigation matters with a particular expertise in constitutional and civil rights litigation in federal courts, particularly in the Southern District of New York and the Eastern District of Virginia.

ADMISSIONS:

· United States Supreme Court

· United States Court for the Southern District of New York and Eastern District of Virginia

· United States Court of Appeals for the 2nd, 4th and 6th Circuits

· Virginia, New York and Ohio State Supreme Courts

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE:

3/09 to Present Stepanovich Law, PLC, Virginia Beach, VA

1/01 to 3/09 Lentz, Stepanovich & Bergethon, PLC, Virginia Beach, VA

1/92 to 12/00 American Center for Law and Justice, Virginia Beach, VA

· Co-counsel in five (5) cases before the United States Supreme Court, sitting “second chair” in March 2000, Sante Fe Independent School District v. Doe (No. 99-62)

· Litigated constitutional civil rights cases in state and federal courts throughout the country, responsible for all aspects of litigation

8/84 to 12/91 Chief Deputy, Office of Prosecuting Attorney, Jefferson County, OH

· Prosecuted hundreds of felony cases including capital murder, murder, rape and extortion jury trials

EDUCATION:

· Law, Juris Doctor, University of Akron, Akron, OH

· Political Science Bachelor of Science, Kent State University, Kent, OH

ACADEMIC POSITIONS:

· Adjunct Professor of Law, Regent University School of Law, Virginia Beach, VA (1995 to present)

o First Amendment Law

o Trial Practice

o Civil Pretrial Practice and Procedure

o Client Counseling

o Created and taught a Practicum (practical course for law students to gain experience in litigation through mock court trials)

PUBLICATIONS/LECTURES:

· Virginia State Bar Magazine: The Fundamentals of Litigating an RLUIPA Case

· Conference on Public Service and Law, University of Virginia School of Law

U.S. SUPREME COURT CASES:

•Please refer to website: www.stepanovichlaw.com “Portfolio/Supreme Court Cases” for a complete review of Mr. Stepanovich’s advocacy before the United States Supreme Court

VERDICTS/DECISIONS/SETTLEMENTS OF NOTE:

• Shetty vs. Logan, et.al, Norfolk, VA Circuit Court, $5.85 Million Jury Verdict, (Premise Liability Case-7th highest verdict in VA in 2010. See Lawyer’s Weekly, December 2010, 25 VLW 742)

• Castro vs. Moorman, Chesapeake VA Circuit Court (2012)-confidential settlement arising from traumatic injuries to 18 year old as a result of a emergency vehicle pursuit (ultimately causing change in city policy). See: www.stepanovichlaw.com.

•Congregation Mischknois Lavier Yakov Inc. vs. Board of Trustees, 07-1834-cv, (2nd Cir, 2009)-federal discrimination case upholding RLUIPA settlement from collateral attack

•Minor vs. DEA-(SDNY, 2016)- civil rights suit to enforce rights for wrongful raid upon residence; settled

•Accomack Dept of Social Services vs. Cherrix (Cir. Ct of Accomack County,Va 2006)-successfully defended constitutional rights of parents charged with neglect for exercising choice of medical care for child with cancer. Case received international attention

MEDIA APPEARANCES:

· Legal commentator on constitutional and civil rights issues

o Court TV

o Hannity & Combs

o CBS and NBC News

o USA Today, Washington Post, New York Times

AFFILIATIONS:

· The Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum^{^{^{^{^®}}}}, Life Member, The Top Trial Lawyers in America ^{^{^{^{^®}}}} (Fewer than 1% of U.S. Attorneys are members)

· Alliance Defense Fund, National Litigation Academy Honor Corps Member

PERSONAL:

· Married to Anna Maria Stepanovich for 36 years; three adult children

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