STEPHEN L. NEAL, JR. is a highly skilled litigator whose practice primarily focuses on complex civil and commercial litigation. He has a broad range of experience handling civil, commercial, contract, business and other tort, RICO, fraud, computer crimes/unlawful surveillance, FTC enforcement, employment, and administrative actions before state and federal trial and appellate courts and arbitration panels. Mr. Neal is experienced in all phases of litigation, including pre-litigation counseling and strategic advice, investigations, pleadings, discovery, law and motion practice, injunctions, evidentiary hearings, trials, arbitrations, appeals, and complex settlements. Mr. Neal performs these services for individual and corporate clients throughout the country.

Education:
University of Virginia Trial Advocacy Institute, 2004.
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, J.D., 1993.
Duke University, A.B., 1989.

Representative Matters

• Lead counsel for established record producer in action to obtain royalties for the song Raindrops Keep Falling On My Head from the Forrest Gump soundtrack. After trial with lay and expert witnesses, obtained judgment for all royalties owed and the attorneys’ fees and costs incurred. As lead appellate counsel, successfully defended appeal before the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals.
• Lead counsel in defense of multi-million dollar Federal Trade Commission enforcement action. After months of intense litigation, negotiated very favorable settlement and, after extensive briefing and several days of evidentiary hearings, obtained ruling that the court-appointed Receiver breached his fiduciary duty. As lead appellate counsel, obtained affirmance of all district court rulings before the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals.
• Co-counsel in defense of high-profile, multi-million dollar RICO action. Obtained judgment as to RICO, fraud, and other claims. Currently co-counsel on appeal before the Second Circuit Court of Appeals.
• Lead counsel on behalf of the estate of a September 11th victim in proceeding before the Victim’s Compensation Fund. After evidentiary hearing with lay and expert witnesses, obtained award that was almost twice the presumptive limit under the governing guidelines.
• Lead counsel in prosecution of commercial banking transaction on behalf of a public financial institution. Obtained settlement of all amounts claimed and all attorneys’ fees and costs incurred.
• Lead counsel in defense of breach of contract action against financial institution. Obtained dismissal of action and all attorneys’ fees and costs incurred.
• Co-counsel in defense of injunctive action brought against trade association. Obtained denial of motion, dismissal of action, and all attorneys’ fees and costs incurred.
• Lead counsel in defense of breach of contract and tort claims against passenger railroad. Obtained dismissal of action and appeal before the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals.
• Lead counsel in prosecution of action on behalf of passenger railroad against public oil company. After obtaining dismissal of all counterclaims, negotiated very favorable settlement.
• Lead counsel in successful defense of several actions against public radio company.
• Lead counsel in successful defense of $60 million action against HMO.

Memberships & Activities

Admitted to practice before the District of Columbia Court of Appeals; North Carolina Supreme Court; United States District Courts for the District of Columbia, North Carolina, Maryland, and the Western District of Michigan; United States Court of Federal Claims; United States Courts of Appeals for the Second, Fourth, Fifth, Sixth, Federal, and District of Columbia Circuits; and the Supreme Court of the United States.

Arbitrator, District of Columbia Bar’s Attorney-Client Arbitration Board.

Member, North Carolina Bar Association.

Member, District of Columbia Bar Association.

Member, Duke University Alumni Association.

Member, Carolina Law Alumni Association, University of North Carolina.

Honors & Awards

Certificate of Appreciation from the Association of Trial Lawyers of America for the successful prosecution of a pro bono case on behalf of the estate of a September 11th victim before the Victim’s Compensation Fund.

Distinguished Service Award from the District of Columbia Bar’s Attorney-Client Arbitration Board.