MEET STEVE
Steve Thienel has been exposed to and thrived in various cultures—academic, small business, major corporations, and law firms—while being surrounded by passionate and successful people. Steve’s sweeping professional interests and experience ensures his ability to effectively serve clients over a broad spectrum of business and personal needs.
Following a successful career teaching, consulting, and corporate management, Steve acted upon his passion to team with successful entrepreneurs because of their motivation, creativity, and contributions to the betterment of society.
Steve has focused on issues relating to owning and running a business—contracts, employee relations, real estate transactions, taxation, creditor rights, and estate planning. The ultimate compliment from Steve’s clients is they return for his legal services, time and again.
“Unbelievably knowledgeable and responsive, particularly where it concerns ... financial planning matters. I truly feel like Steve cares about me and any issues that I bring before him - in other words, I’m much more than a client.”
“Mr Thienel provided very good guidance for me when doing a fairly complicated will and health care document. He worked quickly and efficiently, was very accurate in his work, and provided extremely helpful guidance. His fees were reasonable and he made himself available when I asked.”
Why You'll Love Working With Steve...
Who better can advise you on your asset protection strategies than someone who knows financial matters backwards and forwards?
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In Addition To Small Businesses and Individuals, Steve’s Clients Include
Public charities
Churches
Educational Institutions
Clubs
Homeowners’ Associations
Foundations
Estates
Trusts
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Steve’s Varied Clients Seek Assistance With
Tax compliance and controversy
Contract negotiation, drafting, and enforcement
Employment disputes
Wills
Powers of attorney
Estate administration
Retirement and pension issues
While his practice predominantly focuses on business transactions and tax matters, Steve has litigated over 300 cases in jurisdictions ranging from District Courts to the U.S. Supreme Court.
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Typical Business Sectors Represented Include
Government contractors
Technology firms
Manufacturers
Financial services
Retailers
Restaurants
Franchisees
Auto racing
Professional practices
Experience You Can Count On
Steve knows both sides of the attorney/client equation as he worked in a corporate capacity retaining attorneys prior to becoming an attorney and then, after entering private practice, retaining and managing other attorneys joining as team members to address client needs. From this firsthand experience, he knows what you as a client expect from an attorney—and perhaps more importantly, what you do not expect. Business clients want an attorney that is experienced, knowledgeable, and possesses character. Clients seek an attorney that shares the same values and is willing to work collaboratively to achieve agreed-upon goals. Steve teams with his clients to seize business opportunities, solve problems, and collaborate with experts and other attorneys as appropriate.
Before shifting careers to devote himself exclusively to the private practice of law, Steve had a substantive 24-year career with the transportation giant, CSX Corporation, holding senior-level positions in finance, executive, law and government affairs. While Assistant Vice President of Cost & Economic Analysis, Steve had responsibility for screening proposed capital expenditures prior to submission to the Board of Directors for approval. Steve served in the company’s executive department as chief of staff to the President before assuming the position of Regional Vice President for State Relations (District of Columbia, Delaware, Maryland, and Pennsylvania), where he represented the company’s interests before state and local governments. During his CSX career, Steve was prominently involved in the merging of the Chessie and Seaboard railroads to form CSX, and the acquisition of Conrail. Steve negotiated many prominent agreements with the State of Maryland for MARC commuter rail service, Seagirt port facilities, and the sale of property for the Cumberland C&O Canal Place.
Concurrently with his business career, Steve was an adjunct faculty member at the Johns Hopkins University School for 10 years in its Master of Business Administration program. For several of these years, he headed the economics department while teaching graduate economics and finance courses.
Steve’s unique ability to work with diverse interests was recognized by Governor Schaefer when he appointed Steve to the Maryland Greenways Commission to form a system of interconnecting recreation trails and wildlife corridors to link protective buffers along Maryland’s waterways. Governor Schaefer again appointed Steve to his Flood Mitigation Task Force for Western Maryland to study flooding and develop long-term solutions to prevent or minimize local disasters. Steve was appointed by Pennsylvania Governor Tom Ridge and reappointed by Governor Mark Schweiker to the Pennsylvania Rail Freight Advisory Committee to provide guidance on developing state transportation policy and funding.
Steve served as a board member of the Maryland Chamber of Commerce and the Children's Cancer Foundation, as Treasurer of St. Peter's Episcopal Church, and as a graduate and member of Leadership Maryland. Currently, he is a member of the Board of Directors, corporate secretary, and legal counsel for the non-profit Lewes Junction Bridge & Railroad Association, Inc.
Stephen Thienel is very knowledgeable of legal matters pertaining to business. I have used him for several years now and he is always thorough and prompt in his responses. Whether providing business advice as I grow my business or working up my personal and business tax returns, you can always count on comprehensive advice and professional support. Starting a business can be a little stressful as you can only get so much from college and through performing research. Nothing beats real life experience and Steve’s support to my business has meant a great deal to me, and has served to reduce my stress and frustration considerably. I have enough issues to work through in my business. Having Steve to cover my back on legal and tax matters makes it seem like he is really part of my senior staff. I would highly recommend his firm to anyone, especially young start-up businesses like mine.
~Paul
Community
A native of Alexandria, Virginia, Steve attended Herndon High School, where he excelled in both academics and extracurricular activities (varsity football and basketball; Virginia All-State Band). He graduated with a bachelor of arts degree from Washington & Lee University while a member of the swim team. Steve earned a Master of Arts degree in economics from Virginia Tech, studying under Nobel Laureate James Buchanan while teaching undergraduate economics courses. He was awarded a Juris Doctor degree from the University of Maryland and a Master of Laws in Taxation degree from the University of Baltimore.
Versatile, passionate, and persevering in all endeavors, Steve has entered-and completed-65+ marathons, including Boston, Chicago, Marine Corps, and Richmond. He was USA Triathlon's Mid-Atlantic Grand Master Champion at the lronman distance (2.4- mile swim, 112-mile bike; and 26.2-mile run) and an lronman Maryland finisher. Steve now makes the Delmarva Peninsula home.