University Counsel
Michael J. Stephan joined the Office of the General Counsel in 2017. His areas of responsibility include managing complex litigation for the university across a wide range of issues, including as to USC Athletics, crisis management, freedom of speech, intellectual property, antitrust, student affairs, and employment disputes. He also advises the university on matters related to regulatory compliance and internal reviews.
Prior to joining the Office of the General Counsel, Mr. Stephan was an attorney at Hueston Hennigan LLP and Irell & Manella LLP, where his broad-based corporate litigation practice included securities fraud, antitrust, governmental investigations, intellectual property, and high-stakes contract disputes. Mr. Stephan has considerable trial and appellate experience in both state and federal courts throughout the United States.
Mr. Stephan began his legal career as a law clerk to the Honorable Cynthia Holcomb Hall of the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. He earned his J.D. from the University of Texas School of Law in 2010, where he was an Articles Editor for the Texas Law Review and a Chancellor—a member of Texas Law’s most prestigious academic honor society. He earned his B.A. from USC in 2007, Phi Beta Kappa and magna cum laude.
Assistant
Sean Chu