Experience at Work
Stephen M. Hoeplinger has a diverse legal background that showcases his expertise across various areas. He has a deep understanding of commercial, real estate, and employment litigation, representing both businesses and individuals. Whether he's working with an individual bringing a claim or a large corporate defendant, Stephen's top priority is understanding his clients' specific concerns and goals. As a counselor, he helps identify risks and rights, aiming to resolve disputes without going to court whenever possible. If litigation is the only option, Stephen develops practical and aggressive strategies to protect his clients' rights. Regardless of the case or client, he draws on his experience to find logical, efficient, and effective solutions. Prior to his current role, Stephen served as an Assistant Attorney General at the Missouri Attorney General's Office. There, he excelled as a unit leader in the Litigation Section, focusing on consumer protection, employment, and civil rights litigation. He represented the State of Missouri skillfully in federal and state courts, leading teams of attorneys and achieving outstanding outcomes across various cases.
In the Community
Stephen's commitment to justice and his dedication to pro bono work are evident through his involvement with the Middlesex District Attorney's Office and his role as a Staff Attorney at Interfaith Legal Services for Immigrants. In the latter capacity, he provided crucial legal representation to indigent clients in immigration matters, including complex cases involving deportation hearings, asylum, securing legal status, naturalization interviews, and filing immigration benefit applications.
Education
Educational Background
- B.A., Film, Television, and Theatre; Political Science; University of Notre Dame (2005)
- J.D., Washington University in St. Louis School of Law, cum laude (2009)
Significant Experience
Representation
- Thomas Avery and Stephen Hoeplinger won a complex litigation matter in Delaware Superior Court, representing a property developer and its principals in a dispute with an investor. After unforeseen issues arose with the property, the investor sued on a personal guaranty given by our clients, attempting to recover for additional funds it put into the development. Avery and Hoeplinger argued that, under the terms of the company’s operating agreement, the investor agreed that if it made extra capital contributions (as was the case here), it would be automatically compensated in the form of an increased ownership percentage of the company. The court agreed, holding that because the investor had agreed to those terms in the operating agreement, it could not recover the extra money it paid into the company under the guaranty. The case is Massandra Capital IV, LLC v. CEAI Aspen Place Manager, LLC, No. N23C-10-136, 2024 WL 3411813 (Del. Super. July 25, 2024).
- Obtaining $300,000 judgment against out-of-state event company that defrauded consumers,
- including full restitution, attorneys’ fees, and civil penalties.
- Obtaining $280,000 judgment in contractor fraud action.
- Obtaining full defense victory for State in $10,000,000 federal civil rights trial.
- Obtaining six-figure summary judgment award for wrongful denial of disability insurance benefits.
- Obtaining six-figure summary judgment award for breach of promissory note.
- Obtaining dismissal of consumer fraud claims against individual client (knocking out treble damages exposure).
- Drafting winning legal briefs in multi-million-dollar arbitration awards in general contractor-subcontractor disputes.
- Successfully obtaining first-ever right to trial by jury in ERISA retirement plan fee lawsuit.
- Second-chairing federal trial that resulted in eight-figure settlement mid-trial.
- Serving as lead associate on multi-billion-dollar securities fraud lawsuit, which resulted in industry-leading favorable settlement.
Knowledge & Insights
Published Decisions
- Lapidus v. Life Insurance Co. of North America, 413 F.Supp.3d 867 (E.D. Mo. 2019)
Admissions & Qualifications
BAR & COURT ADMISSIONS
- Missouri
- Massachusetts
- Eastern District of Missouri
- Western District of Missouri
- District of Massachusetts
- District of District of Columbia
Leadership & Community Engagement
Civic & Community
- Middlesex District Attorney’s Office | Pro Bono Volunteer
- Interfaith Legal Services for Immigrants | Staff Attorney