Daniel Steven
Daniel N. Steven, LLC
216 North Adams Street
Rockville, MD 20850
Map
Phone: (301) 424-0677
http://www.dsattorney.com
Personal Attention and Accountability.
Legal Topic
Personal Injury
Preferred New Clients
Information coming soon.
Legal Topic
Intellectual Property (IP)
Preferred New Clients
Information coming soon.
Legal Topic
Estate Planning
Preferred New Clients
Information coming soon.
Sub-Topics
Probate & Estate Administration
Bar Admissions
MD, Dec 1974
DC, Jul 1975
Bar Number: 216531
Specialty Certifications
Specialty certifications are not available in the Bars of Maryland and the District of Columbia.
Other Court Admissions
All State and Federal Courts in Maryland and the District of Columbia.
Association Memberships
• Maryland State Bar Association • Bar Association of Montgomery County • Mystery Writers of America, Inc.
Continuing Education
I regularly attend courses on estate planning and intellectual property, both in person and online.
Papers and Publications
For a complete list, see www.dsattorney.com.
Example Cases
Estate Planning
Obtaining a multi-million dollar settlement for a beneficiary of a trust against a trustee for failing to adequately distribute trust assets.
Intellectual Property
Using the provisions of the Digital Millennium Copyright Act, obtaining a substantial settlement against a major television network for infringement of the copyrights of my client, a free lance photographer.
Education
Washington University
Juris Doctorate
St. Louis
MO
1974
Chief Comments Editor of Law Review
University of Rochester
Bachelor of Arts
Rochester
NY
1971
Number of Attorneys
1
State Licensed In
Maryland and the District of Columbia
Firm Focus and History
I represent individuals and small businesses in estate planning probate, elder law, business entities, publishing and media law.
After many years in multimember firms, in 1990 I chose to open my solo practice as the Law Offices of Daniel N. Steven. This gave me the freedom to worry less about "billable hours" and more about effective representation of clients.
Previous Employment Summary
Following graduation from law school, I worked as an Associate General Counsel of the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission, then an associate attorney in a general practice firm. I was a founding partner of Waldman, Steven & Diamond, Chtd. in Bethesda, Maryland. In 1990, I opened the Law Offices of Daniel N. Steven, (now Daniel N. Steven, LLC). I also have served as a senior executive at a major publisher and an internet start-up.
Activities and Awards
Rated as an AV® Preeminent™ 5.0 out of 5 Attorney by Martindale-Hubbell (highest rating)
I have written numerous legal and general interest articles, am the author of Health Care Practice Management (WG&L,1995), co-author of The Street Smart Writer (Nomad, 2006), and two suspense novels.
I have lectured in the field of health care and estate planning, I teach creative writing, write legal columns for writer's organizations, and frequently appears as a lecturer and panelist on intellectual property issues.
I am Chairman of the Contracts and Grievances Committee of the Mystery Writers of America, Inc., and a past president of the Board of Trustees of The Harbor School in Bethesda.
What is your opinion regarding clients educating themselves on legal issues?
I am very much in favor of self-education in all fields, especially law and medicine. An informed client is essential. However, there is no substitute for competent professional advice.
Are you willing to review documents prepared by clients?
I will review client prepared documents, but my experience is that they often must be revised extensively. It is more cost-effective for the client to have the attorney prepare documents originally.
Are you willing to coach clients who want to represent themselves?
I rarely do this.
Why did you decide to be a lawyer?
I liked the competition, drama, and excitement of the courtroom. I was further inspired by the civil rights and anti-war movements in the 1960s to help people realize their rights and obtain justice.
What work experience and education helps you be a better lawyer?
As a former caretaker of elderly parents with dementia and medical problems, I am especially attuned to the need for effective planning to avoid both financial and emotional trauma in families. In the area of intellectual property, my own background as a published novelist, nonfiction writer, editor, and publishing executive gives me an edge over attorneys who have not actually "been there."
Why did you decide on your primary area of practice?
I enjoy solving problems and creatively planning for client's future needs.
What do you like best about your career?
The freedom to choose both my clients and the type of cases that interest me.
Tell us about your law firm:
My firm is small by choice. I provide clients with direct access to me; you will not be dealing with junior level associates, paralegals and legal assistants, etc. At the same time, without the overhead of a large staff, I am able to keep legal costs down. I am convinced that clients appreciate the personal attention and accountability often lost in larger firms. My clients pay for quality legal services, not the maintenance of resources they will never use.
What are your strengths and style?
Responsiveness, listening to client needs, and an absolute commitment to integrity.
Personal Interests:
Writing, both fiction and nonfiction. Reading, teaching, music and baseball.
Office Hours
Monday through Friday
9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Emergency After Hours
No
Fixed-Price Services and Fees
Yes, for estate planning services, they can be viewed online at www.dsattorney.com/estfee.htm.
Hourly Rates
$275 to $325; $215 for nonprofits.
Free Initial Consultation?
Yes, for half an hour.
Typical Retainer
Each retainer is tailored to the individual client's case.
Nolo's Licensing Check
Attorneys have passed a licensing check. Nolo has confirmed that every member attorney has a valid license and is in good standing with the state agency that licenses lawyers upon joining the directory.
Directory lawyers are required to notify Nolo immediately if they become the subject of any disciplinary action by any state licensing agency.
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