2025 In-House Counsel Awards: Stephen H. Swart

Number of years with firm: 2

Law school: George Mason University School of Law (2009)

Legal leadership: In private practice, I conducted risk analysis for bidding on a $400+ million design-build infrastructure project with a state agency and prepared Notice of Claims submissions for delays due to adverse weather and COVID. I also submitted multiple claims on a $200+ million design-build wastewater infrastructure project, including as-built schedule analysis and extended general conditions analyses. Additionally, I handled administrative appeals with the state Department of Transportation challenging a prequalification decision and prepared a $21+ million claims submission, followed by civil litigation after claim denial. I successfully managed ten lawsuits involving 25+ plaintiffs over two years in state court.

Pro bono work/community or civil involvement: I’m a member of the Ashburn Girls Softball League board and have 5 years’ experience coaching youth softball.

On my identity/background: My career is deeply informed by growing up in central Pennsylvania, which instilled a grounded, community-focused perspective. My college training as a sports journalist honed my ability to ask questions, analyze situations rapidly, and write clearly under deadline pressure. My commitment to family and Catholic faith provided a strong moral compass and sense of loyalty, emphasizing fair treatment of all parties and equal access to justice.

Most pressing issue that IHCs face: An increasingly complex regulatory and technological environment requiring constant monitoring of new regulations in data privacy, ESG, and AI governance, while leveraging AI for efficiency and ensuring responsible adoption and data security.