Portrait of Stephen Metz

Stephen Metz

Principal

Stephen Metz is a principal attorney at Offit Kurman. Steve concentrates his practice in litigation involving bankruptcy, creditors' rights, title disputes and real estate. In more than 25 years of practicing law, he has garnered a reputation for being a tremendous advocate for his clients. While typically meeting clients and opposing counsel under less-than-favorable conditions, Steve applies his signature techniques to each situation: he is fair-minded, a good listener and a straight shooter, providing his best advice and legal tactics in a calm but decisive manner. In addition to earning the respect and appreciation of those he represents; Steve has been referred to by his legal colleagues as one of the best bankruptcy attorneys in Maryland.

Steve frequently represents debtors, creditors and other parties in bankruptcy cases in various industries, including telecommunications, retail, financial services, real estate, insurance and consumer credit. Steve also serves as a Subchapter V trustee in Chapter 11 cases filed under the Small Business Reorganization Act. He also regularly represents owners, lenders and other parties in real estate disputes, including matters involving lien priority, easements, equitable subrogation, reformation of deeds and deeds of trust, conflicts between neighbors, real estate disputes between family members, real estate contracts and other title-related actions in state and federal courts at the trial and appellate levels.

Prior to joining Offit Kurman, Steve clerked for the Honorable Theresa A. Nolan in the Circuit Court for Prince George’s County, Maryland, and Judges Mannes, Keir, Schneider and Derby in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Maryland.  He also was a shareholder at a large regional firm in Maryland for many years.

    Education

    • Penn State Dickinson Law (J.D., cum laude)
    • University of Maryland (B.S.)
      • Marketing and Transportation/Logistics

    State Bar Admissions

    • District of Columbia
    • Maryland
    • Virginia

    Court Admissions

    • United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Columbia
    • United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Maryland
    • United States Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of Virginia
    • United States Bankruptcy Court for the Western District of Virginia
    • United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit
    • United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia
    • United States District Court for the District of Columbia
    • United States District Court for the District of Maryland
    • United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia

    Professional Affiliations

    • Subchapter V Bankruptcy Trustee (for cases filed in the U.S. Bankruptcy Courts for D.C., Maryland and Eastern District of Virginia)
    • National Association of Bankruptcy Trustees
      • NABT Foundation, Board of Directors, Treasurer
    • Bankruptcy Bar Association for the District of Maryland
      • Past President
      • Program Book and CLE Coordinator, Annual Spring Break Weekend
    • Member, Bankruptcy Bar Association/U.S. District Court Liaison Committee
    • Member of the D.C. Bankruptcy Court Local Rules Committee
    • Walter B. Chandler American Inn of Court
    • American Bankruptcy Institute
    • Maryland State Bar Association
      • Member, Consumer Bankruptcy Section
    • Montgomery County, Maryland Bar Association
      • Member, Fee Dispute Resolution Committee
    • Simon E. Sobeloff Jewish Law Society
    • Identity, Inc. Board Member and former Board Chair

    Recognitions

    • 2025 Top Attorney for Bankruptcy: Individuals’ Rights, Bethesda Magazine 
    • Named The Best Lawyers in America® for Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights/Insolvency and Reorganization Law, Commercial Litigation, Litigation - Banking and Finance, Litigation - Bankruptcy, Litigation - Real Estate (2021-2027)
    • Named to Maryland Super Lawyers® list, (2014 - 2027)
    • Washingtonian Top Lawyer, 2024

Firm Highlights

  • Events
    AIA Tri-State Conference
    Princeton will serve as the backdrop for three days of connection, learning, and design leadership. From keynotes to tours to the Tri-State Design Awards, this year’s conference is designed to go far beyond education sessions. Kick off the week with pre-conference intensives and individual state component Design Award celebrations, followed by three days of education, inspiration, networking, and design excellence at the 2026 AIA Tri-State Conference—featuring pre-conference intensives, three keynote speakers, 25 education sessions, curated tours, an expo, spec academies, and the AIA Tri-State Design Awards—bringing together architects and design professionals from New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania to connect, learn, and celebrate the best of the profession. G2. Designing Secure Practices: Cybersecurity, Data Privacy, Contractual Provisions, and Insurance Risks for Architects (4:00 PM - 5:30 PM) Architects and design professionals increasingly rely on cloud platforms, BIM software, and digital tools to manage sensitive data, creating cybersecurity and privacy risks. A single incident can trigger liability claims, regulatory obligations, reputational harm, and insurance challenges. Yet many firms underestimate how contracts, insurance, and internal practices intersect during a breach. This program offers legal and insurance perspectives on cyber risk in architecture, examining liability exposure, risky contract provisions, and mitigation strategies. A cyber insurance expert will explain policy responses, coverage gaps, coordination with professional liability, and best practices for aligning insurance with contractual risk and protecting firms from evolving cyber threats. Learning Objectives: Identify key cybersecurity and data privacy risks faced by architecture firms and explain how these risks can impact professional liability and project outcomes. Analyze common contractual provisions to determine which clauses may increase exposure to cyber incidents and propose strategies to mitigate these risks. Evaluate the scope and limitations of cyber insurance policies, including coordination with professional liability coverage, to determine how a policy would respond in a breach scenario. Develop actionable risk management strategies by integrating legal, contractual, and insurance considerations to protect sensitive client and project data.
  • Blog Posts
    Law, Love, and Life's Battles: Facing Breast Cancer
    What happens to a marriage and a family when a breast cancer diagnosis changes everything? In this episode of Love Ends, Law Begins, hosts Fara Rodriguez and Stephanie Lehman have a deeply personal conversation about breast cancer, marriage, family, and the challenges that can come with a serious illness. This episode is especially meaningful for Fara, who shares her own recent breast cancer diagnosis and journey. She opens up about discovering a lump, receiving her diagnosis, undergoing a double mastectomy and subsequent treatments, and navigating the emotional impact of cancer while continuing to work and care for her family. Fara and Stephanie discuss how a cancer diagnosis can affect a marriage in unexpected ways—from changing family roles and creating new caregiving responsibilities to putting pressure on finances, health insurance, and household responsibilities. They explore how illness can either bring couples closer together or create additional challenges, particularly when one spouse becomes the primary caregiver or when the family is dealing with fear and uncertainty. The conversation also addresses the unique challenges of parenting during an illness, including how to talk to children about a cancer diagnosis and how divorced parents may need to adjust parenting schedules and responsibilities when one parent becomes sick. From navigating medical expenses and insurance coverage to balancing work, parenting, caregiving, and intimacy, Fara and Stephanie offer a candid look at the ways illness can reshape relationships and family dynamics. In recognition of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, this episode provides an honest and personal conversation about facing cancer while navigating marriage, family, and the many practical challenges that come with a serious diagnosis. In this episode, you'll hear about: • Fara's personal breast cancer diagnosis and journey • How a cancer diagnosis can affect a marriage • The challenges of becoming a caregiver to your spouse • How illness can bring couples closer together—or create new challenges • Talking to children about a parent's cancer diagnosis • How divorced parents can navigate parenting responsibilities when one parent becomes ill • The financial impact of illness and the loss of household income • Health insurance and medical coverage considerations • How medical expenses can create additional financial strain • The importance of support from family, friends, and caregivers • Balancing work, parenting, treatment, and recovery • How illness can affect intimacy and marital dynamics • The importance of supporting children through a parent's illness • Why communication and cooperation matter during a health crisis • Breast Cancer Awareness Month and the importance of mammograms