Megan Benevento

Megan Benevento is a battle tested trial attorney at Stein Mitchell Beato & Missner who assists clients in all aspects of complex litigation. She has successfully represented clients in a wide range of matters in forums across the country, including, but not limited to: commercial disputes, civil rights violations, defamation, non-compete and non-solicitation enforcement, class action relief, civil RICO, fraud, and injunctive relief.

Originally from Oregon, Megan relocated to the Washington, D.C. area to attend Georgetown University Law Center and has since built a reputation among the bench and bar as an ardent advocate and as a creative litigator. In 2018, the Maryland Daily Record named her to its VIP List (“Very Important Professionals” under 40) based on her courtroom achievements, leadership, and a commitment to inspiring change. Maryland legislators have sought her input on pending legislation as a prominent state litigator and she has repeatedly testified as a subject matter expert before the Maryland House and Senate Judiciary Committees. She has also been recognized as a Super Lawyers Rising Star in both Maryland and D.C. for multiple years.

SuperLawyers "Rising Star" for Maryland 2022 and for the District of Columbia for 2022, 2023, and 2024

Recognized by The Maryland Daily Record as one of 2018's "VIP" under 40 award winners for contributions to the legal field and community, including successfully testifying in support of Maryland bills to prevent child abuse and for litigation on behalf of abused children

Appointed inaugural co-chair of the Maryland Association for Justice's Civil Rights and Constitutional Law Section

Georgetown University Law Center, J.D.

University of Oregon, Bachelors of Science in Family and Human Services

• Maryland Court of Appeals
• District of Columbia Court of Appeals
• United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit
• United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit
• United States District Court for Maryland
• United States District Court for the District of Columbia
• United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois

• As lead trial attorney, secured a complete jury verdict in favor of her two clients who were wrongfully sued for defamation when they called for an investigation into allegations of abuse at their son’s school and participated in a local news broadcast detailing their advocacy efforts
• As lead counsel, briefed and successfully argued motion to dismiss defamation and tortious interference suits that were brought against parents for raising concerns about child abuse and neglect, obtaining a finding from the court that the suits were brought in bad faith under Maryland’s Anti-SLAPP (Strategic Lawsuit Against Public Participation) Law
• Successfully briefed and argued a motion for temporary restraining order that enjoined the Maryland Medical Cannabis Commission from issuing licenses state-wide due to unfairness in the application process through unpromulgated rule-making procedures
• Represented parents of a special needs child who was sexually assaulted at his private school by a classmate due to the school’s failure to follow their own policies for student supervision and the requirements of the child’s Individualized Education Plan (IEP), ultimately obtaining a favorable settlement for the family
• Successfully vacated a judgment which had been erroneously entered against a Maryland property management company, prior to their retention of Stein Mitchell, after attempts by three prior counsel had failed
• Successfully second-chaired, from initial case filing through to appellate affirmation before the Maryland Supreme Court, the representation of two of then-Governor Hogan's recess appointees in striking down an unconstitutional law passed by the Maryland legislature to attempt to avoid compensating the appointees for their service
• Co-authored the first successful motion for class certification of a Real Estate Settlement Practices Act (RESPA) claim within the jurisdiction of the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit
• Co-authored successful motion to dismiss claims against government contracting firm who had been sued for alleged tortious interference and misappropriation of trade secrets arising out of former employees' departures
• Represented individual who was wrongfully arrested and assaulted by police officers, in violation of his constitutional rights, ultimately securing a favorable settlement for the client