Portrait of Steven Thal

Steven H. Thal

Principal

Steven Thal has an extensive practice in international corporate and commercial transactions, with a particular concentration in U.S. and European cross-border transactions. Steven advises German, Swiss and Austrian companies and individuals on cross-border transactions and United States legal issues. He has represented numerous large and mid-sized, German-based multinational corporations. At Offit Kurman, he heads up our German practice area. The German Practice Area attorneys and German legal assistants provide seamless representations to clients from the German-speaking countries of Europe.

Steven is both a U.S. and German citizen, speaks German fluently and has been a visiting lecturer within the Faculty of Law at Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München (University of Munich) and Ruprecht-Karls -Universität Heidelberg (University of Heidelberg) where he conducts seminars on international business transactions. Additionally, he is a frequent speaker in the United States, Germany, Switzerland and Austria on various matters relating to international investments, corporate matters, and U.S. litigation issues. He has lectured at Euroforum Deutschland, Europäisches Forum Alpach, The Council of American States in Europe, The Studienstiftung des deutschen Volkes e.V. and U.S. Embassies and Consulates. He is also a trusted attorney to the German and Swiss Consulates in New York and the Austrian Trade Commission in New York.

Steven received his J.D. and B.A. in Economics from the University of Michigan. He also studied law at Eberhard-Karls-Universität Tübingen (University of Tübingen) in Germany as a Fulbright, DAAD and Ford Foundation Scholar and political economics at the New School for Social Research in New York. He is admitted to practice in New York and is also admitted as a foreign legal consultant in Frankfurt, Germany, on matters of U.S. and international law.

Steven served as president of Der Deutscher Verein in New York from 2008 until 2010.

Steven is also a co-founder, current general counsel and director of the German-American Partnership Program, which is the largest student exchange program between the United States and Germany, and is president of Städel Friends, Inc., organized in the United States to support the world-famous Städel Museum in Frankfurt, Germany.

Steven is listed in Who’s Who and Who’s Who in American Law. He is also a member of the American Council on Germany, The German American Chamber of Commerce in New York, The Swiss Chamber of Commerce, The German American Lawyers Association, The International Bar Association (Committee on International Sales), the New York State Bar Association (Committee on International Law) and The European Association of Lawyers (AEA – EAL).

    Education

    • University of Michigan Law School (J.D.)
    • (B.A.)

    State Bar Admissions

    • New York

    Professional Affiliations

    • New York State Bar Association
    • International Bar Association
    • The American Council on Germany
    • Der Deutscher Verein (New York)

    Languages

    • German
  • Biography
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Firm Highlights

  • Events
    RE+ Mid-Atlantic Opportunities: Market Trends and Business Development Tips
    RE+ Mid-Atlantic is where developers, financiers, investors, project buyers, utilities, and technology providers come together to evaluate opportunities, advance transactions, and build relationships that move clean energy projects forward. Whether you're looking to secure financing, identify partners, position projects for sale, or expand your network, the conversations you have at RE+ Mid-Atlantic can have a lasting impact on your business. Join this exclusive webinar, hosted by Offit | Kurman, to preview key topics that will be explored during the event and learn practical strategies for preparing for productive business conversations. By the end of this webinar, attendees will be better equipped to: Discuss emerging trends and opportunities in the regional solar and storage landscape. Learn how to communicate project readiness, regulatory strategy, and development milestones to build investor and buyer confidence. Understand strategies for reducing perceived project risk and strengthening financing conversations. Maximize meetings and networking opportunities at RE+ Mid-Atlantic to advance partnerships, financing, and project sale discussions. Whether you're a developer, investor, project buyer, or business development professional, this webinar will help you arrive at RE+ Mid-Atlantic with the knowledge, messaging, and strategy needed to turn conference conversations into meaningful business opportunities. Speakers: Lindsay Cherry  Director of Regulatory, NineDot Energy Lindsay Cherry is the Director of Regulatory Affairs at NineDot Energy, where she leads efforts at the intersection of clean energy policy, regulation, and distributed energy development. With a background in energy policy and public affairs, Lindsay works closely with regulators, policymakers, and industry stakeholders to advance innovative energy solutions and support the transition to a more resilient and sustainable power grid. She holds a master's degree from Columbia University’s School of International and Public Affairs (SIPA). Matthew Karmel, Esq. Principal, Offit Kurman Matthew Karmel is the Practice Group Leader of Offit Kurman’s Environmental & Sustainability Law Group. He advises businesses, developers, and property owners on environmental compliance, site remediation, renewable energy, sustainability, and environmental risk management. In the renewable energy industry specifically, Matthew leads a national team that handles mergers and acquisitions, site control, land use, permitting, financing, and more.  A recognized leader in the field, Matthew, is a frequent speaker and author on environmental and sustainability issues and serves on the boards of several industry organizations, including the Mid-Atlantic Solar Storage Industries Association. David Murray Director of Business Development, Turning Point Energy David Murray is the Director of Business Development at TurningPoint Energy, where he leads business development efforts in Maryland and emerging markets. With more than 15 years of experience in clean energy and environmental policy, David has held leadership roles with the Chesapeake Solar & Storage Association and the American Clean Power Association, advancing solar energy, land use, and community engagement initiatives. He holds a B.A. in Public Policy from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and an M.A. in Renewable Energy & Development from the University of Cape Town and currently serves on the boards of the Chesapeake Solar & Storage Association and Wallace Centers of Iowa. Alec Ward Senior Director of Regulatory Affairs, SEIA Alec Ward is Senior Director of Regulatory Affairs at the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA), where he represents the solar and energy storage industry before federal agencies on key energy policy issues. He brings extensive experience in clean energy, regulatory affairs, and public policy, having previously led legislative and federal affairs efforts at Ava Community Energy, served at the California Public Utilities Commission, and worked on federal conservation and climate policy initiatives with The Nature Conservancy and congressional campaigns. Alec holds degrees from the University of Virginia and Johns Hopkins University and is based in Richmond, Virginia.