Stephen M. Long

Stephen M. Long was a scholar and athlete from the Downingtown area schools. He entered Duke University and graduated cum laude in 1976. At Duke, he earned academic honors, was a dean's list student, and was awarded his Bachelor of Arts for studies in Public Policy Science, Economics, and Political Science.

Watergate Judge John J. Sirica and Pulitzer Prize winner Robert Coles submitted recommendations for his entry into law school. Mr. Long returned to his hometown and entered Temple Law School. Because of his oral advocacy skills, he was asked to join the Moot Court Board, an honorary academic society for excellence in oral advocacy.

During this time, the university asked him to represent the school in the prestigious ABA Moot Court competition, where he excelled. His Juris Doctorate was awarded in 1980.

Upon passing the bar examination, he returned to the Chester County area, joining the Chester County District Attorney's office. Shortly after joining the prosecutor's office, the County sent him to the National College of District Attorneys at the University of Houston.

Upon completing the course of study there, he was assigned to a trial team to conduct trials in all types of criminal prosecution. After a number of years in the courtroom, Mr. Long was hired to handle the litigation for a local county law firm situated in West Chester.

Mr. Long focused on major actions for wrongful death. However, he enjoyed a diverse trial practice involving family, estate, and commercial litigation. After a number of years in this practice, Mr. Long developed and constructed the current office, The Whitfield Building, in burgeoning Uwchlan Township.

Mr. Long's practice in Lionville expanded from solely litigation to include other areas of the law. Having successfully litigated complex cases, other attorneys frequently forward their more challenging litigation cases to him for trial. The jury verdict rendered on behalf of Mr. Long's clients in a difficult wrongful death case against a major hospital was the largest jury verdict in Chester County for a significant period of time.

Commercial transactions, estate planning, and a selective caseload of criminal defense cases continue to challenge him. Mr. Long has been profiled in Who's Who in American Law. He has been a member of the Chester County and Pennsylvania Bar Associations, as well as the Associations of Trial Lawyers for Pennsylvania and America.

Mr. Long's personal mission statement comes from Proverbs 3:5-6. He is a member of the Peacemakers. He is the first lawyer in the Delaware Valley certified to conduct Christian Conciliation and Mediation. In addition to a very active presence at Calvary Fellowship Church, Mr. Long was a trustee for the Chester County Library Board and has served on the County Republican Committee as well as in the government of his township.

After being widowed, he and Debbie Hoffman married. They live in the area and have two children, Ben and Ellie.