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Steven N. Leitess

Partner
sleitess@silvermanthompson.com
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Office: 410.385.2225
Direct: 410.385.6248
Fax: 410.547.2432

Mr. Leitess is chair of the firm’s Business & Finance Practice Group. Mr. Leitess’ practice has a national scope, serving clients located around the country in litigation and transactional matters arising in Maryland, Virginia, and the District of Columbia. His practice focuses on the areas of substantive law that businesses rely upon daily.

Mr. Leitess’ daily professional activity is devoted entirely to business matters. He represents clients in a variety of transactions, including aviation transactions for clients operating aircraft and business aviation service companies under Federal Aviation Regulation Parts 91, 135 and 145, equipment finance and asset-based lending transactions, and business entity matters such as forming and governing corporations and limited liability companies. Mr. Leitess’ practice includes a substantial number of business litigation and arbitration engagements in those and other business sectors and subject-matter areas. Mr. Leitess also provides “outside general counsel” services for the day-to-day operations of clients without an in-house legal department.

Mr. Leitess has 30 years of experience as first-chair attorney in numerous evidentiary and non-evidentiary hearings, court trials, jury trial, and appellate matters in state and federal courts around the country, including Maryland, Washington DC, Virginia, Florida, Ohio, New York, Pennsylvania, Texas, and California. He has argued hundreds of motions and appeals, and participated in numerous mediations and arbitrations. He is a prolific legal writer and has drafted and filed a very large number of pleadings and motion papers in connection with those representations.

Education

J.D., University of Maryland Francis King Carey Law School, 1988

B.A., University of Maryland, College Park, 1985

Jurisdictions Admitted to Practice Maryland
District of Columbia
Representative Matters and Engagements
  • Represented commercial finance company in state and federal litigation to recover $2 million lost in a Ponzi scheme to an individual who impersonated a CIA agent in a wide-ranging fraud that involved the high-level officials of the US Department of Defense, the US Central Intelligence Agency and other US government military, intelligence community organizations and private companies. The litigation team led by Mr. Leitess recovered 100% of the funds lost in the fraud scheme. No other victims, numbering approximately a dozen companies and individuals, recovered any money.
  • Represented a 4,700-member LLC in a lawsuit against investment brokers, agents and advisors for fraud and related causes of action arising out of a viatical/life settlement scam.
  • Represented joint venture parties in dispute with co-venturers to a $25 million real estate development project in Houston TX. The dispute arose over breaches of internal agreements for governance that threatened the parties’ ability to execute on a contract for purchase and development of a large parcel of raw land.
  • Defended preference avoidance action against numerous textile industry factoring clients in U.S. Bankruptcy Court; reduced defendants’ potential litigation exposure from $75 million to approximately $15 million.
  • Defended preference avoidance action against large Japanese consumer electronics manufacturers in U.S. Bankruptcy Courts during Circuit City bankruptcy case.
  • Represented general counsel of large family of healthcare companies in key fact witness role. The matter was an extremely contentious “David v. Goliath” dispute that resulted in several reported decisions concerning attorney-client privilege and confidential attorney work product, spoliation and other issues.
  • Defended “red light camera” manufacturer and administrator of red light enforcement program from putative class action claims brought in two Maryland jurisdictions.
  • Represented large equipment finance company in dispute that resulted in an order from U.S. District Court declaring unconstitutional a Maryland statute permitting certain third parties to seize and dispose of equipment collateral without giving prior notice to secured party.
  • Represented large commercial finance companies in multiple-titling fraud scheme by borrower who obtained up to 4 purchase money loans on each of 33 new Peterbilt over-the-road tractors by exploiting gaps in filing and perfection procedures in motor vehicle administrations of Maryland, North Carolina, Virginia, West Virginia and Pennsylvania.
  • Representing dozens of equipment finance companies in numerous matters involving the negotiation, workout and enforcement of equipment lease and finance transactions in high tech, transportation, construction, aircraft, medical and other industries.
  • Representing an entrepreneurial asset-based lender in Northern Virginia that is active among small and medium-sized companies, including those with set-aside designations such as service disabled, veteran-owned small business and the like. The engagement includes corporate advice, litigation, turnaround & workout activity and strategic business planning.
  • Represents government contractors in various employment, internal investigation, corporate and litigation matters in Maryland, Virginia and the District of Columbia.
  • Represent patent owners in negotiating and implementing patent licensing agreements, royalty agreements and related matters.
  • Represent patent owners in negotiating and implementing patent licensing agreements, royalty agreements and related matters.
  • Counsel to official committee of unsecured creditors, debtor-in-possession financing lenders and secured creditors in business bankruptcy cases. These matters include experience with plans of liquidation or reorganization, Sec. 363 sales; automatic stay litigation, voidable transactions claims, non-discharge ability litigation and numerous other kinds of adversary proceedings, contested matters and administrative matters that arise in business bankruptcy.
  • Negotiated and documented business loan transactions on behalf of lenders and borrowers, including asset-based financing such as floorplan financing transactions, accounts receivable financing transactions and equipment financing and leasing transactions.
  • Mr. Leitess has a personal interest and occasionally writes on first amendment, prior restraint, privacy, national security, public safety and technology issues.
Recent Contributions to Continuing Legal Education and Advancement of Business and Finance Law

2017 Maryland Commercial Law Legislative Initiative (December 20, 2016)

Program Chair, panel chair on the Uniform Voidable Transactions Act (formerly known as the Uniform FraudulentTransfers Act)

Description:This program was presented live in person and by webinar hosted by the Maryland State Bar Association's Business Law Section and Real Property Section, and the Maryland Bankruptcy Bar Association. The presenters provided attendees an opportunity to learn about and provide input on proposed laws affecting business in Maryland. The program informed and promoted a dialog among practitioners, judges, legislators and members of affected industries about proposed improvements in the law with the goal producing the best possible products for enactment.

Beyond the Promise to Pay: How Security Interests Help Ensure a Successful Lending Transaction (January 26, 2017)

Panelist addressing technical and policy points of UCC Article-Secured Transactions

Description: This program was presented nationally via live webinar hosted by the Business Law Section of the American Bar Association. Even a well-drafted loan agreement can spell losses for lenders if the borrower fails to pay or becomes insolvent. To help avert such problems, many lenders take a UCC Article 9 security interest in the borrower's personal property assets (including inventory, equipment, receivables and/or investment securities). This practical program discussed the fundamentals of UCC Article 9 and made clear the power of the statute's central provisions.

Panelist addressing issues arising in fiduciary litigation, pleading and proof in state court litigation and business valuation.

Pleading in State Court and the Burgeoning Fiduciary Litigation Practice (March 4, 2017)

Panelist discussing recent developments in fiduciary litigation; pleading and proof in state court litigation; business valuation in succession planning and "business divorce."

Description:This program was presented live in person to the Anne Arundel County Bar Association. Think you know the difference between pleading statutory versus common law accounting? What about a direct action versus a derivative action? The panel addressed common mistakes that create problems in litigation from the get-go. The panel also discussed the burgeoning fiduciary litigation practice. Boomers, one of the largest demographic groups, have on average the highest net worth of any generation. These facts portend an increase in fiduciary litigation over the next decade as children and grandchildren tussle for the family jewels. The panel discussed what lawyers can do to help clients ensure a peaceful transition of wealth or, if fights erupt, how best to handle them.

Presentations Addressing Deadlock in Limited Liability Companies (November 2016 - April 2018)

Panelist and co-author of comprehensive written materials discussing how to prevent and address deadlock in limited liability companies.

Description:  These sophisticated business law programs were presented several times to different audiences including the American Bar Association's Limited Liability Company Institute (November 2016), the Pennsylvania Business Law Institute (November 2017), the Maryland State Bar Association's Advanced Business Law Institute (April 2918), and Strafford Publications, Inc. (webinar broadcasts in 2017-2018).


Deadlock in a LLC arises when members or managers fail to reach agreement or obtain the required voting for a particular course of action that prevents an LLC from performing the purpose for which it was formed. The failure to provide in advance methodologies for dealing with deadlock can result in significant cost, loss of time and other resources, and possible litigation and may result in judicial dissolution of the LLC or other judicially imposed (and frequently not very practical) remedies. The panel and its written materials discuss deadlock breaking mechanisms that might be included in LLC operating agreements, with a focus on the types and forms of such provisions, their effectiveness and limitations, and the issues involved in drafting and enforcing those provisions. The panel and materials also addressed statutory and case law developments as well as potential alternative dispute resolution options.

Publications
"Deadlock - Breaking Mechanisms in LLCs - Flipping a Coin is Not Good Enough But is Better Than Dissolution" Business Law Today, American Bar Association (March 2017)

Description:This article provides a framework for addressing the importance of adopting deadlock-breaking mechanisms in limited liability company operating agreements as an alternative to seeking judicial dissolution when a deadlock arises.
Professional & Bar Association Memberships

American Bar Association
Member Since: 1989
Intellectual Property Section
Litigation Section
Law Practice Management Section
Business Law Section

  • Uniform Commercial Code Committee-Programs Coordinator
  • Commercial Finance Committee
  • Limited Partnership and Unincorporated Entities Committee
  • ABA Advisor - Uniform Certificate of Title Act (2003)

American College of Commercial Finance Lawyers
Member Since: 2004
President, 2015-2016
Member, Executive Committee 2010 - Present
Chair, Technology and Website Committee
Alternative Dispute Resolution Program
Past-Chair, ACCFL Official Observer Program

Uniform Law Commission
Member Since: 2004
ULC Division Chair 2011- 2015
Maryland Delegation Chair 2015 - Present
Maryland Delegation, Legislative Liaison to the Maryland General Assembly 2004 - Present
ULC Committees include:

  • Management of funds raised through crowdfunding efforts - drafting committee
  • Uniform Series of Unincorporated Business Entities Act ("Series LLC") - drafting committee (act was adopted by ULC)
  • Uniform Voidable Transactions Act - drafting committee (act was adopted by ULC)
  • Uniform Asset Preservation Act - drafting and enactment committees (act was adopted by ULC)
  • Athlete Agents Act - drafting committee (act was adopted by ULC)
  • Uniform Custodial Interrogation Act - drafting committee (act was adopted by ULC)
  • Uniform Certificate of Title Act - drafting committee (act was adopted by ULC)
  • Permanent Editorial Board for Unincorporated Business Entities - standing committee
  • Enactment Committee for Revisions to UCC Article 9
  • Fundraising by Public Appeals

Maryland Commission on Uniform State Laws
Member Since: 2004
Chairman
Examples of uniform acts enacted in Maryland during Mr. Leitess' tenure as a commissioner and Legislative Liaison:

  • Revisions to UCC Article 9
  • Power of Attorney Act
  • Fiduciary Access to Digital Assets Act
  • Interstate Deposition and Discovery Act
  • Adult Guardianship and Protective Proceedings Act
  • Anatomical Gift Act
  • Revisions to Maryland Trust Code
  • Commercial Receivership Act

Maryland State Bar Association
Member Since: 1989
Business Law Section
Litigation Section

  • Uniform Commercial Code Committee
  • MSBA Task Force for LLC Protected

Anne Arundel Bar Association
Member Since: 1990
Chair, Continuing Legal Education
Chair, AABA Annual Crab Feast Gold Tournament

District of Columbia Bar Association
Member Since: 1989
Litigation Section
Law Practice Section

Association of Commercial Finance Attorneys
Member Since: 1993
Board of Trustees, 2000 - Present
Chair, Continuing Legal Education Weekend, 2009 & 2013

Equipment Leasing and Finance Association
Member Since: 1995
Member of the Legal Committee, 2004 - 2006

Honors/Awards/Appointments
  • Maryland Super Lawyers: 2015 - 2021
  • Maryland Commission on Uniform State Laws, 2006-present. Chairman. Appointed by Gov. Robert Ehrlich, reappointed by Gov. Larry Hogan
  • Uniform Law Commission, 2006-present, Chairman of the Maryland Delegation 2015-present
  • Martindale-Hubbell Peer Review Rating - "AV - Preeminent" 1995-present