Overview
With over 45 years of experience, Steve Story is a seasoned franchise, contract, and antitrust attorney. He advises franchisors, franchisees, and manufacturers and distributors nationwide.
As Co-Chair of the Firm’s Franchise Practice Group, Steve focuses on franchising, intellectual property, technology, sales, distribution, marketing, and antitrust matters. He represents local, regional, and national franchisors as well as multi-unit and single-unit franchisees.
Steve’s experience includes serving as general outside counsel to multiple franchisors, franchisees, and a large multiple listing service. In the latter role, he guided his client through significant antitrust issues and high-profile industry litigation. He negotiates settlements for franchise and other clients, reviews and revises franchise agreements, and advises manufacturers and distributors on complex distribution and pricing issues.
A former General Counsel of Kaufman & Canoles, Steve also brings valuable insight into lawyer ethics.
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Representative Matters
Served as general outside counsel for a large multiple listing service, and helped guide it through multiple antitrust issues raised by recent suits involving the real estate industry
Negotiated a favorable settlement for a real estate brokerage in relation to the above- referenced suits
Served as general outside counsel for a number of franchisors and franchisees
Negotiated a favorable settlement, including a refund of development fees previously paid, for an area developer client
Reviewed and proposed modifications to a large number of franchise agreements for prospective franchisees
Provide advice on distribution agreements for both manufacturers and distributors
Provide antitrust advice on a wide variety of issues, including pricing issues
Served as General Counsel of Kauman & Canoles for 5 years, with a resulting wide variety of knowledge about lawyer ethics issues
Recognition & Honors
Honors & Recognitions
Best Lawyers in America, 2004-2026
Top Lawyers; CoVaBIZ, 2017-2019, 2023
Best Lawyers in America; Norfolk Litigation - Patent Lawyer of the Year, 2025
Best Lawyers in America; Norfolk Litigation - Intellectual Property "Lawyer of the Year", 2016, 2022
Virginia’s Legal Elite; Intellectual Property Law, Virginia Business Magazine, 2000-2014, 2016-2025
Legal Eagle; Franchise Times, 2014, 2019-2020
Virginia Super Lawyers; (Franchising/Dealership) Law & Politics, 2006-2017
AV® Rated; Martindale-Hubbell
Press & Publications
News
Speaking Engagements
Community & Professional
Associations
First Presbyterian Church, Norfolk, VA; Trustee
American Bar Association; Forum on Franchising and Antitrust Law Section
International Franchise Association
Virginia State Bar; Past Chairman, Antitrust, Franchise and Trade Regulation Section, Board of Governors, 1995-2003
Tree of Lives (a Christian ministry in Kenya); Board of Directors
Credentials
Education
University of Texas; B.A., 1978
University of Texas School of Law; J.D., with honors, 1981
Court Admissions
United States District Court, E.D. Va.
Supreme Court of Virginia
Beyond the Law
I have climbed most of Mount Kilimanjaro (elevation 19,200 feet) in Tanzania, with one of my sons.
