Contact Information

500 Capitol Mall, 18th Floor

Sacramento, CA 95814

916.325.5870

slerner@mhalaw.com

Practice Focus

General Litigation

Real Estate Litigation

Business & Commercial Environmental Litigation

Proposition 65 Litigation

Stephen M. Lerner | Shareholder

Professional Experience

Stephen is a member of McDonough’s Litigation Practice Group. He has represented individuals, private businesses, and public agencies in the areas of real estate, business/commercial, and environmental litigation since 1995. He has developed an extensive background in all phases of civil litigation, including successfully litigating to completion jury and bench trials. He also has counseled clients on franchise and environmental related issues.

Prior to law school, Stephen served as the environmental assistant to the Mayor of San Diego, responsible for developing and implementing programs and policies in the areas of water supply and conservation, parks and open space, air quality, and solid and hazardous waste.

Representative Matters

Represented large landowner in a quiet title action to acquire an easement for installation of an underground pipeline across several adjacent properties

Defended retailer of costume jewelry against a Proposition 65 enforcement action for failing to warn of health risks arising from exposure to lead

Trial attorney for an accounting firm in defense of claims for breach of contract, professional negligence and misrepresentation

Defended computer retailer against claims for breach of contract and misrepresentation

Represented purchaser of large tract of undeveloped real property against seller for breach of purchase/sale contract

Trial attorney for seller of a major automotive repair and parts business in prosecuting claims for breach of contract and misrepresentation

Represented a major manufacturer in defense of an action for trademark, tradedress and copyright infringement

Advised a municipal client regarding the largest “early transfer” of environmental responsibility for contaminated property at a closed military base

Leadership Positions/Affiliations

Sacramento Metropolitan Chamber’s Leadership Sacramento, Class of 2009

Member, State Bar of California – Environmental Law and Litigation Sections

Member, Sacramento County Bar Association

President and Member of the Board of Directors, Sacramento Society for the Blind

Former Co-Chair, San Diego Bar Association, Community Services Committee

Former Vice Chair, Sorrento Hills Community Planning Board

MHALaw Search

Admitted to Practice

State Bar of California, 1995

United States Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit

All California United States District Courts

Education

University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law

J.D., with Distinction, 1994

Traynor Honor Society

Honors in Trial Advocacy

Board of Editors, Associate Editor, Comment Staff Member, The Transnational Lawyer Law Journal

University of California, San Diego

B.A., Political Science and History, 1988