Stephen represents both public and private companies in a broad range of domestic and international transactions, including mergers and acquisitions, venture capital and private equity investments, leveraged buyouts, recapitalizations, restructurings, joint ventures, and strategic alliances. He has represented clients in industries as diverse as financial services, health care, life sciences, telecommunications, manufacturing, hospitality, retail, and sports and entertainment.

Stephen has worked extensively with acquirers, targets, special committees, stakeholders, and advisors in a variety of domestic and cross-border M&A transactions. Drawing on his prior experience in investment banking, Stephen brings specialized knowledge to the representation of investment banking firms in their representation of clients in M&A transactions, including in connection with the conduct of auction processes and the rendering of fairness opinions.

Stephen served as Managing Member of the firm's New York office from 2009 through April 2026 and led the New York Corporate & Securities Practice for more than 20 years. He has served multiple terms on the firm’s Policy Committee and currently sits on the Corporate Elevations Committee.

Prior to joining the firm, Stephen held senior roles in investment banking. He served as general counsel, a member of the corporate finance department, and a member of the management committee at Commonwealth Associates. He later founded and served as president of Barington Capital Group, LP. Both organizations provided investment banking and advisory services to small- and mid-cap companies. Earlier in his career, Stephen was a partner in two New York–based law firms.

Stephen graduated with honors from the Fordham University School of Law, where he was a member and an associate editor of the Fordham Law Review.