Since Michael D. Steger started practicing law in 1993, he has sought to help solve his clients’ problems and expand their business opportunities. Whether in business transactions, litigation and other disputes, or counseling behind the scenes, he has focused on providing value to the individuals, companies and other entities that he has served.
From 1993 to 2000, Mr. Steger practiced law in Los Angeles, California, concentrating on litigation in state and federal court. He handled all aspects of litigation for clients ranging from individuals and partnerships to Fortune 500 companies. Mr. Steger was responsible for a wide range of commercial litigation matters, including entertainment, intellectual property, employment, bankruptcy, real estate, business and construction disputes.
In 2000, Mr. Steger became in-house counsel for STF Productions, Inc., the producer of Fox’s “America’s Most Wanted” and the syndicated “Final Justice,” where he also handled business and legal affairs for other Fox entities. In these roles, his portfolio included handling entertainment, media, intellectual property, Internet, litigation and employment matters for the programs, as well as union issues and other business negotiations.
To provide cost-effective solutions using his legal skills and experience in both private practice and as a corporate counsel, Mr. Steger opened his own law offices in 2005. He continues to advise and represent clients on entertainment, media, intellectual property, and employment and labor matters, as well as civil litigation. For more about his work in these subject areas, please click on the individual tabs under “Practice Areas.”
Mr. Steger is a member of the District of Columbia Bar’s Music and Entertainment Law Committee and Media Law Committee; Washington Area Music Association (WAMA); the American Bar Association’s Litigation Section, Communications Law Forum, Entertainment and Sports Law Forum, and the General Practice/Solo Section; the Entertainment and Intellectual Property Sections of the New York State Bar Association; and the Rockland Business Association. He is an active member of the New York, California, Virginia, and District of Columbia Bars.
Mr. Steger has written two law review articles on First Amendment issues: “Slicing the Gordian Knot: A Proposal to Reform Military Regulation of the Press,” University of San Francisco Law Review (1994), and “A Cautious Approach: Racist Speech and the First Amendment at the University of Texas,” Journal of Law and Politics (1992), as well as "Baseball Strikes Out: Fantasy Baseball Does Not Violate Players' Right of Publicity," MLRC Media Law Letter (August 2006). He was also a contributor to “Advising and Defending Corporate Officers and Directors” published by California Continuing Education of the Bar (1998). A noted speaker on entertainment and media law issues, his public presentations include “The Media and the War for the ‘Fourth Freedom’: Covering the War on Terror”, National Press Club, January 2003; “The Strongest Links: The Confluence of the Arts, Media, Entertainment, Sports, Intellectual Property and Information Technology,” Virginia Bar Association, July 2003; “A Dangerous Intersection: The First and Sixth Amendments and Media Coverage of Crime,” Thomas Jefferson Center for the Protection of Free Expression, September 2003; “So You Want to Use Music?” DC Independent Film Festival, March 2004; “Audio and Video Recording and Privacy in the Workplace,” WMACCA IT Forum, June 2004; ABA Media Advocacy Workshop, January 2005; “So You Want to Use Music?” DC Independent Film Festival, March 2005; “An Hour Off The Clock,” WBIS Radio, May and October 2005; and “How Does Grokster Affect Your Business?” WMACCA IT Forum, September 2005; ABA Media Advocacy Workshop, January 2006; "Legal and Business Aspects of Reality Television Production," District of Columbia Bar, March 2006; "We Need Clearance: Legal Issues for Producers," Arlington Independent Media, July 2006.
Mr. Steger received his J.D. from the University of Virginia School of Law, where he was the Notes Editor of the Journal of Law and Politics. He also received both his M.A. (Foreign Affairs, 1993) and his B.A. (Foreign Affairs, Minor in History, 1989) from the University of Virginia.
Mr. Steger lives in Palisades, New York with his wife and daughter.
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