ATTORNEY PROFILE

STEPHEN H. RATLIFF

Attorney Stephen H. Ratliff has over 30 years experience representing individuals and businesses in Virginia, Maryland and the District of Columbia. He has extensive jury trial and bench trial experience, having litigated thousands of cases. He is recognized by Martindale-Hubbell as “AV Preeminent”, the highest peer rating for professional excellence in legal expertise, communication skills and ethical standards. Mr. Ratliff has significant experience in legal ethics as demonstrated by his service on regulatory bodies and as an author and lecturer. He has also served as both a mediator and arbitrator for over 20 years.

Mr. Ratliff is active in a number of professional organizations promoting professionalism, ethics and trial advocacy skills. He worked as an NCAA college football official for Division I (FCS), II and III conferences for 20 years.

TEACHING/LECTURES/PUBLISHED WORKS

• Georgetown University Law Center/National Institute for Trial Advocacy [Faculty member for Intensive Session in Trial Advocacy Skills]
• Personal Injury Damages Start to Finish [Speaker and co-author of materials for seminar sponsored by National Business Institute]
• Negotiating Claims with Insurance Companies [Speaker and co-author of materials for seminar sponsored by National Business Institute]
• Nuts and Bolts of General District Court Civil Practice [Speaker and author of materials on Ethical Considerations and Pitfalls of General District Court Civil Practice, sponsored by the Fairfax Bar Association General District Court Committee]
• Experts and Hearsay [Moderator and co-author of materials for program presented at Fairfax Bar Association Bench and Bar Convention]
• Practical Legal Ethics in Virginia: Issues and Answers [Speaker and co-author of materials for seminar sponsored by National Business Institute]
• Practical Legal Ethics in Washington, D.C.: Issues and Answers [Speaker and co-author of materials for seminar sponsored by National Business Institute]
• Obtaining Judgments on Small Claims in the District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia [Speaker and author of materials presented to the Greater Washington Shorthand Reporters Association]
• Pretrial Skills Series; Part VI: Negotiating and Obtaining Settlements [Moderator/Speaker for program presented by the District of Columbia Bar (Litigation Section) and George Washington University National Law Center Continuing Legal Education Program]
• Moderator of numerous programs regarding Alternative Dispute Resolution during tenure as Chair of the Alternative Dispute Resolution Committee, Litigation Section, District of Columbia Bar

PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS AND MEMBERSHIPS

• VIRGINIA STATE BAR
  • Standing Committee on Lawyer Discipline (COLD) (2006-June 2013)
    • July 2012-June 2013: Co-Chair
    • 2008-2012: Chair – Oversight Subcommittee
    • 2008-2009: Chair – Subcommittee on Random Audits/Reviews of Trust Accounts
  • Fifth District Disciplinary Committee (1999-2005)
    • 2003-2004: Chair
    • 2002-2003: Vice Chair
    • 2001-2002: Secretary
• FAIRFAX BAR ASSOCIATION
  • Circuit Court Committee (2002-2009)
  • General District Court Committee (2000-2009)
    • 2005-2006: Chair
    • 2004-2005: Vice Chair
  • Judicial Screening Committee (2004-2010)
    • 2009-2010: Chair
    • 2008-2009: Vice Chair
  • FBA Bench and Bar Convention Committee, (2005, Co-Chair)
• DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA BAR – Litigation Section, Alternative Dispute Resolution Committee, (Chair, 1993-1996)
• SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA – Arbitrator/Mediator/Case Evaluator
• GEORGE MASON AMERICAN INN OF COURT – Emeritus (2015 – Present); Master (2003- 2014)