Overview
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.
Practice Areas
Honors
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
Education
Georgetown University Law Center, J.D.
University of Oregon, Bachelors of Science in Family and Human Services
Admissions
- Maryland Court of Appeals
- District of Columbia Court of Appeals
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth 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
Experience
- Mazzeo v. Barrett, Case No. 481007V (Montgomery County Circuit Court, Maryland): 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
- Mazzeo v. Rev. Shell Kimble, et. al., Consolidated Case No. 481100V (Circuit Court for Montgomery County, Maryland): As lead counsel, briefed and successfully argued motion to dismiss defamation and tortious interference suits that were brought against parents for reporting 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
- Remileaf, LLC v. Maryland Medical Cannabis Commission, Case No. C-02-CV-19-003179 (Anne Arundel Country, Maryland Circuit Court): successfully briefed and argued a motion for temporary restraining order that enjoined the Commission from issuing licenses state-wide due to unfairness in the application process through unpromulgated rule-making procedures.
- LS3 Inc. v. Cherokee Federal Solutions, L.L.C., 2021 WL 4459053 (D. Colo., 2021): Coauthored successful motion to dismiss resolving all claims, specifically the motion's arguments to dismiss the tortious interference and misappropriation of trade secrets counts arising out of former employees' departures
- Schrader, et. al. v. Nancy Kopp, et. al., 459 Md. 187 A.3d 88 (2018): successfully second-chaired, through intake to the Maryland Court of Appeals, the representation of two of Governor Hogan's recess appointees in striking down an unconstitutional law that denied them compensation
- Frank A. v. Emergy Fed. Credit Union, No. 1:15-cv-792, 2017 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 127022 (S.D. Ohio Aug. 10, 2017): 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