Stefan D. Stein

Leader. Authentic. Hard-working. Personable. These are words people use to describe Stefan. His integrity, judgment, and transparent style make him a trusted ally to clients and firm colleagues.

Stefan currently serves as Taft’s Mountain West chairman and partner-in-charge of the firm’s Colorado offices. He formerly served as the chief executive officer of Sherman & Howard. Approachable and open to others’ views, Stefan encourages feedback, knowing he can learn from diverse perspectives. While he does not shy away from difficult decisions, he believes the best decisions are made through collaboration.

Stefan has held leadership positions in companies in the telecommunications/technology industry, including serving as senior vice president of risk management, chief ethics and compliance officer, and deputy general counsel for Qwest Communications. He possesses first-hand corporate experience, an insider’s perspective, and exceptional skill. Leveraging that experience and skill, he takes an analytical, practical approach, tackling business issues, investigations, and compliance matters to mitigate risk.

With decades of experience representing companies and individuals in complex business disputes, internal investigations, and government investigations and enforcement actions, Stefan looks at matters from both a legal and business perspective, enabling him to provide sound advice. He also represents clients in indemnification and directors and officers insurance coverage matters.

Competitive by nature, Stefan knew at an early age he wanted to become a lawyer and help others. Law was an area in which he could use his skills of persuasion to advocate for others, and he honed his skills as a trial lawyer while working in the U.S. Attorney’s Office (Central District of California). Stefan served as deputy chief of the public corruption & government fraud section from 1994-1996 and as an assistant U.S. attorney from 1988-1996.

Government Investigations, Internal Corporate Investigations, and Securities Litigation

• Represents clients in federal and state criminal investigations, state consumer protection matters, and securities litigation.
• Represents clients in internal investigations that evaluate and report on alleged misconduct, including prior representation of special committee of board of directors.
• Led special litigation group at a Fortune 250 company that oversaw the company’s responses and defenses to (i) government investigations by the U.S. Department of Justice, the Securities and Exchange Commission, and the General Services Administration, and (ii) securities class actions, shareholder opt-out claims, and shareholder derivative actions.

Corporate Ethics and Compliance 

• Led global ethics and compliance program at a Fortune 250 company that maintained high-integrity environment for ~30,000 employees and implemented outstanding practices regarding codes of conduct, training, investigations, and risk assessments.

Trials, Appeals, and Grand Jury Investigations 

• As an Assistant U.S. Attorney, handled all aspects of prosecution of federal crimes, including numerous jury trials, sentencings, appeals, and grand jury investigations.

Indemnification and Directors & Officers (D&O) Insurance 

• Represents clients in company indemnification and D&O insurance coverage matters.
• Represented clients in domestic and international D&O policy rescission litigation. Negotiated and structured settlement transactions resulting in placement of $275 million of insurance proceeds in trust or escrow for the benefit of insureds; subsequently oversaw claims process.

Consumer and Small Business Services 

• Led the legal group of a consumer/small business services division of a technology company and oversaw compliance with laws applicable to the business. Drafted a wide variety of consumer-related contracts and policies, conducted legal review of sales and marketing materials, and advocated for the company and its technology in regulatory matters.