
Stephen R. Halpin III
Email: shalpin@kingruiz.com
Stephen Halpin is senior counsel in the firm’s New York office. Steve assists individuals and businesses in domestic and cross-border disputes. He has represented clients in all phases of litigation, including during investigations, at trial, and on appeal. His practice spans complex commercial litigation, securities litigation, international judgment enforcement, asset recovery, and white-collar criminal defense.
In his pro bono practice, Steve has represented a state prisoner pursuing federal habeas relief based on newly discovered evidence, including serving as lead counsel at an evidentiary hearing and briefing constitutional issues of first impression in a federal court of appeals. Steve currently serves on the Second Circuit’s Pro Bono Panel.
Prior to practicing law, Steve clerked for the Honorable Robert B. King of the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit. While in law school, Steve interned for two federal district court judges, served as Editor in Chief of the Washington and Lee Law Review, and worked as a research assistant for Professor A. Benjamin Spencer, an expert in Civil Procedure and Federal Jurisdiction.
Selected Engagements
Represented a former officer and director of a technology company in successfully appealing a disgorgement award of over $7 million entered in an SEC enforcement action alleging violations of Section 17(a) of the Securities Act of 1933 and Sections 10(b) and 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
Represented a former foreign public official at trial on criminal charges of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and money laundering arising from alleged bribery-and-kickback scheme involving global investment banks.
Represented a foreign businessman asserting an ownership interest in a high-value asset seized by the U.S. government and subject to civil-forfeiture proceedings.
Represented a media company under investigation for federal securities fraud by the DOJ and SEC, as well as successful defense of the company in a lawsuit brought by an investor alleging violations of Section 10(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
Education
Washington and Lee University School of Law
Juris Doctor (2015), magna cum laude, Order of the Coif, Omicron Delta KappaUniversity of Virginia
Bachelor of Arts (2010)
Admissions
New York
Virginia
Awards & Recognitions
New York Super Lawyers - Rising Stars, 2024
Lawdragon 500 X – The Next Generation, 2024
Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® – Criminal Defense: General Practice, 2023, 2024, 2025
Certificate of Appreciation, Pro Bono Service Honor Roll, awarded by the Virginia Access to Justice Commission, 2022, 2023
Capital Pro Bono High Honor Roll, sponsored by the District of Columbia Court of Appeals and the Superior Court of the District of Columbia, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020
Firmwide award for Pro Bono Excellence (Hughes Hubbard & Reed LLP), 2019