Stephen J. Orlando is a Partner in GRSM’s Boston office. His practice areas include construction litigation, employment litigation, tenancy disputes, and professional malpractice defense. Stephen also advises clients as to the negotiation of employment agreements, construction agreements, and lease agreements.
Among other successful trial results, Stephen achieved favorable outcomes in the following cases:
- Obtained $10.6 million verdict for client following a three-week jury trial. The judgment included an award of multiple damages and an order for the defendant to pay the client’s legal fees. The judgment was the largest M.G.L. c. 93A verdict in 2019.
- Defended company against executive’s $6 million claim for breach of contract and violation of ERISA. Following trial, Stephen recovered a portion of the client’s legal fees from the opposing party.
- Secured defense verdict in $4 million wrongful death lawsuit following a three-week jury trial.
- Achieved defense verdict in $2 million wrongful death lawsuit.
- Secured $1.4 million verdict for property owner, including recovery of client’s legal fees, in commercial tenancy dispute.
- Obtained directed verdict in c. 93A lawsuit alleging unfair and deceptive lending practices.
- Defended property owner against $150,000 claim for breach of contract filed by contractor.
- Through a pretrial motion, achieved dismissal of lawsuit on eve of trial by successfully precluding evidence of damages.
Stephen has also obtained favorable outcomes through dispositive motions and appellate practice. His representative experience includes the following:
- Defended $1.4 million verdict from challenge on appeal and, following successful outcome, recovered client’s appellate fees from opposing party.
- Obtained dismissal of United States District Court lawsuit, alleging violation of Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, and defended ruling on appeal in the First Circuit Court of Appeals.
- Obtained summary judgment for architect in $1.7 million lawsuit alleging defamation and tortious interference.
- Achieved summary judgment for engineer in $700,000 claim for professional malpractice.
- Secured summary judgment for client in $550,000 claim for profession malpractice, breach of contract, and violation of M.G.L. c. 93A.
Obtained summary judgment for employer in $300,000 lawsuit alleging violations of Massachusetts anti-discrimination laws. - Obtained summary judgment for employer defending against employee’s wrongful termination claim.
- Secured dismissal of lawsuit alleging discriminatory conduct by real estate agent.
Stephen has secured favorable results for clients facing government investigations. He has defeated claims raised within the Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination; State Ethics Commission; Board of Registration in Medicine; Board of Registration of Real Estate Brokers and Salespersons; Board of Registration in Nursing; and Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection.
Finally, Stephen has successfully litigated numerous class-action lawsuits. He recently obtained dismissal of a $500,000 class-action lawsuit alleging violations of residential tenancy laws and M.G.L. c. 93A.
Avoid Delay or Get Ready to Pay: The Risks of “Time-is-of-the-Essence” Clauses, GRSM Construction Blog (August 10, 2018)
The Doctor Will See You For the Last Time Now: Physician-Assisted Suicide in Massachusetts, 46 Suffolk U. L. Rev. 243, Suffolk University Law Review (February 2013)
Admissions
- Massachusetts
- U.S. District Court, District of Massachusetts
- U.S. Court of Appeals, First Circuit
Memberships
- Massachusetts Defense Lawyers Association
- Massachusetts Bar Association – Business Law Section Council (2019-2020)
Education
- J.D., summa cum laude, Suffolk University Law School, 2013
- Suffolk University Law Review, Note Editor (2011 – 2013)
- National Trial Team (2011 – 2013)
- National Constitutional Law Appellate Team (2011 – 2013)
- National Health Law Appellate Team (2011)
- Prosecutor’s Clinic (2012 – 2013)
- B.S., Health Policy and Management, Providence College, 2010
- B.A., Philosophy, Providence College, 2010
Honors
- Best Lawyers in America® Ones to Watch distinction in Commercial Litigation (2021-2025)
- Super Lawyers® Rising Stars distinction in Civil Litigation: Defense, Construction Litigation: Business, Professional Liability: Defense, Real Estate: Business, Business Litigation, and Employment & Labor: Employer (2018-2024)