McMillan Metro Faerber is sad to announce the passing of Stephen J. Orens, Esq. at the age of 83.
Mr. Orens was an attorney with McMillan Metro Faerber from 2015 through his retirement in 2021. Many of our attorneys also worked with him in prior firms, or through various professional organizations, such as the Maryland Building Industry Association and National Association of Home Builders.
By the time he joined our firm, Mr. Orens had over 35 years of private practice experience in Land Use, Zoning, and Municipal Law, or as he often put it “administrative litigation”. Mr. Orens was a zealous and thorough advocate for builders, developers and individual property owners navigating the development approval and permitting processes as well as dealing with code enforcement problems, throughout the Montgomery County and the Capital region.
Mr. Orens always understood that client service and straightforward communications are what matters most to clients and demonstrated that through his ability to form long-lasting professional relationships with his clients, colleagues, adversaries, as well as elected officials and government regulators. Above all else, he was a model of integrity in the legal field.
Mr. Orens grew up on Long Island, NY. He graduated from Hofstra University and The Washington College of Law of The American University, where he later became an adjunct professor of law. After graduating from law school, he clerked for the Honorable William B. Bowie of the Circuit Court for Prince George’s County. Mr. Orens then became an Assistant County Attorney for Montgomery County, advising and representing the County, the County Council, and the County Executive, before being appointed as a Zoning Hearing Examiner for Montgomery County.
After years in public service, Mr. Orens entered the private practice. He appeared regularly before elected officials, planning and zoning authorities, other regulatory agencies and represented clients before the Maryland trial and appellate courts. One quick search revealed that Mr. Orens appears to have briefed or argued approximately 30 cases that resulted in published opinions issued by the Maryland appellate courts.
Mr. Orens is survived by his wife Maxine; his son David and his wife Tamara (Fisher) and grandson Noah; and son Mark and daughter-in-law Laura (Tervo) and grandchildren Kyle and Hannah. Mr. Orens will be missed by his family, friends and colleagues.
We will miss the guidance and presence that he provided to us, and the leadership and mentorship that he bestowed on younger attorneys in the Firm.
If you would like to send condolences to his family, please contact Peter E. Ciferri (PCiferri@mcmillanmetro.com), who can assist you in making the connection.