Stefan concentrates his ADR practice on the resolution of commercial, employment, finance, cybersecurity, contract and intellectual proposer disputes. He is a member of Resolute Systems’ commercial and employment neutral panels. He is also an arbitrator with FINRA where he arbitrates securities and employment matters.
Professional Experience
General Counsel, Eutelsat America Corp, Washington, DC, March 2011-July 2024
- Established the legal department as the first in-house General Counsel for a communications satellite technology service provider. Responsibilities included: contract drafting and negotiations, risk management and dispute resolution, insurance, compliance, tax, human resources, corporate governance, copyright registration and negotiation, and corporate and legal strategy.
- Managed the federal regulatory compliance for company operations, working closely with the Department of Defense, General Services Administration, State Department and Federal Communications Commission.
- Managed company litigation strategy and oversaw selection, engagement and direction of outside counsel.
- Trusted advisor to US C-suite executives and to the global parent company senior leadership.
- Legal advisor for the creation of FOCI-mitigated company under both Special Security Agreement and Proxy Agreement with Defense Department
- Led Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) process that enabled company acquisition of a U.S. licensed communications satellite.
- Developed strategy for and led negotiation of contracts for acquisition of subsidiary cleared facility company.
- Negotiated and drafted commercial and federal contracts and agreements.
- Headed the negotiations of teaming and joint venture agreements, and provided legal and compliance oversight.
- Headed the corporate governance for the company.
- Managed all insurance coverage for the company including cybersecurity, errors and omissions, directors and officers, casualty, international travel, and employee crime.
- Provided strategy and legal counsel on antitrust and privacy laws and related issues.
- Provided legal oversight of HR department and all personnel actions, often involving issues of confidentiality.
Of Counsel, Dorsey & Whitney LLP, Washington, DC, February 1999 -March 2011
- Provided outside legal counsel to domestic and international telecommunication and satellite companies.
- Represented local telephone companies as the lead litigator before state regulatory commission.
- Advised International Telecommunications Satellite Organization (ITSO) on its treaty privileges and obligations in providing critical satellite services to treaty member countries.
General Counsel, Sky Station International, Inc., Washington, DC, March 1997-February 1999
- Served as legal advisor for startup venture.
- Negotiated investment and manufacturing agreements with strategic partners.
- Negotiated joint venture relationships with Latin American and African service providers.
- Responsible for all legal aspects of corporate governance and employment matters.
- Supported FCC and ITU regulatory approval processes.
Of Counsel, Reed Smith Shaw & McClay, LLP, Washington, DC, 1989-1997
- Focus on commercial litigation and international telecommunications regulatory and contract negotiation
Associate/Of Counsel, Schnader Harrison Segal & Lewis, Washington, DC, 1977-1989
- Focus on commercial litigation and government and construction contract claims
- Negotiated precedent-setting contract regime with NASA and Hughes Aircraft on behalf of Lloyds of London for salvage of two satellites in dysfunctional low earth orbit as a result of launch failures
Staff Attorney, Office of U.S. Air Force General Counsel, Washington, DC (Pentagon), 1974-1977
Captain, USAF 1974-77
Law Clerk, United States Court of Claims (now U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit), Washington, DC, 1973-1974
Arbitration / Mediation
- FINRA Panel of Arbitrators. Arbitrate Securities and Employment Matters
- Resolute Systems Panel of Commercial & Employment Mediators & Arbitrators
- As counsel, led arbitration of local telephone company disputes under Federal Telecommunications Act
- Represented Republika Srpska in international arbitration of territorial dispute pursuant to Dayton Accords
- Served as co-mediator for two satellite loss insurance claims
Board of Directors
- Corporate Secretary, Eutelsat America Corp.
- Board of Directors, American Space Exploration Children’s Trust Fund
- Board of Directors, Alliance for Collaboration in the Exploration of Space
Other
Co-founder and owner-operator of Stella’s Restaurant, Washington, DC, 1988-1991 (including negotiating sale of business)
Foreign Languages
Conversational proficiency in French and Spanish
Honors & Awards
Officer’s Service Cross of Merit, awarded by Government of Republic of Poland
Leadership & Community Service
- Pro Bono Legal Counsel, GALA Hispanic Theater, Washington, DC
- Pro Bono Legal Counsel, Advisory Council, Washington Opera Society, Washington, DC
- Vice-President, Pro Bono Legal Counsel, American Council for Polish Culture, Inc.
- President, Polish-American Arts Association, Washington, DC
Education
- J.D., Harvard Law School
- Editor-in-Chief, Harvard International Law Journal
- B.A., University of Virginia, Honors Graduation, Phi Beta Kappa, Air Force ROTC
Publications
- Institutionalizing East-West Trade: The Franco-Soviet Experience, 15 Harv. Int’l L. Journal 1 (1974).
- Federal Restrictions on Participation by Foreign Investors in Defense and Other Government Contracts, Foreign Investment in the United States (D.C. Bar Manual, 1977 and 1980) (co-author).
- Legal Implications of a Permanent Manned Presence in Outer Space, W.V. L. Review, Vol. 85 (1983) (co-author).
- Don’t Call Us: Telemarketing Regulations Reach Out to Nonprofits, Nonprofit World, Vol. 24 (2005).
Bar Admission
- District of Columbia
- US Supreme Court
- US Court of Appeals
Security Clearance
Top Secret
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