Overview
Steven Dunn works with developers, landlords, tenants, builders, property owners, and purchasers in a variety of complex real estate transactions in Maryland, Virginia, and the District of Columbia. His leasing practice includes the negotiation and drafting of leases for both landlords and tenants in commercial, retail, warehouse, industrial flex, and other contexts.
Steven also helps developers and builders to prepare governing documents, easements and other necessary documents for various common interest projects and to ensure compliance with state and local disclosure and registration requirements. In addition, he works with parties to purchase or sell a variety of types of real estate, including multi-family, mixed use, commercial, and industrial, and drafts and negotiates a variety of easements, covenants, and other real-estate related contracts.
A creative pragmatist, Steven takes great pride in understanding all of the relevant facts and his clients’ objectives in order to facilitate a strategic and efficient approach to resolving issues.
Steven also represents condominiums, cooperatives, and homeowners associations assisting with board operations, preparing necessary amendments to governing documents and policy resolutions, contract review, association collections and foreclosures. He also represents landlords, tenants, developers, and lenders in various stages of real estate transactions.
One of Steven’s passions outside of the office is serving on the board of Community Residences, Inc., which provides personalized resources for individuals with mental health issues and developmental disabilities in Maryland and Northern Virginia. A proud George Mason University alumnus, he is a men’s basketball season ticket holder for the Patriots. Growing up, Steven ran track and cross-country and spent his summers as a lifeguard on the Jersey Shore.
Education
- George Mason University School of Law (J.D., 2014)
- George Mason University (B.A. in Government & International Politics, summa cum laude, 2010)
Admissions
- Maryland
- District of Columbia
- Virginia
- U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Virginia
Clerkships
- Norfolk Circuit Court for the Hon. Mary Jane Hall and the Hon. Jerrauld C. Jones (2015)
Honors and awards
- Listed in Best Lawyers in America “Ones to Watch”, Real Estate Law (2022)
- Listed as “Rising Star” by Maryland Super Lawyers, Real Estate (2020-present)
Community involvement
- CRI (Board of Directors, Vice President, 2018-present)
- Community Havens, Inc. (Board of Directors, Chair, 2018-present)
Professional Memberships
- MSBA – Chair, Advanced Real Property Institute subcommittee of Real Property Section
- Community Associations Institute – Maryland Legislative Action Committee (Member, 2019-present)
- Bar Association of Montgomery County, Maryland (Member, 2018-present)
- Fairfax Bar Association (Member, 2016-present)
Practice Areas

Community Associations
Lerch Early’s community associations attorneys provide practical counsel to board members and managers of common ownership communities throughout Maryland, the District, and Virginia on governing and managing effective and thoughtful associations.

Real Estate
Developers, commercial property owners, and investors turn to Lerch Early’s “dirt lawyers” when they need to buy, sell, lease, or develop commercial real estate in the Washington, DC metropolitan area.
News & insights

2023 Legislative Update For Maryland Community Associations
The Maryland General Assembly’s 2023 legislative session was the first under new Governor Wes Moore and resulted in several new laws that will affect community associations. There were also bills …

Lerch Early Attorneys Named to 2023 DC Super Lawyers List
NOTE: Updated on 05/01/2023 after the addition of several newly hired attorneys. Multiple Lerch Early attorneys have been selected for inclusion in the 2023 Washington, DC Super Lawyers and “Rising …

Lerch Early Attorneys Named to 2023 Maryland Super Lawyers List
Multiple Lerch Early attorneys have been selected for inclusion in the 2023 Maryland Super Lawyers and “Rising Stars” lists. Super Lawyers is a listing of outstanding lawyers from more than …

Ballots, Proxies, and E-Voting, Oh My!
This article originally appeared in the November 2022 edition of Quorum. The last thing any board member, manager, or association attorney wants to do is let their community know that …

Lerch Early Attorneys Named to 2023 Best Lawyers in America
Multiple lawyers from several Lerch, Early & Brewer practices recently were selected by their peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America® 2023. Four Lerch Early attorneys have been named to the Ones …

Isn’t that My Yard? Preventing and Resolving Neighbor Property Line Disputes
You come home from work to see that your neighbor has put up a brand new fence, which appears to be partially on your property. Or, you have decided to …