Practice areas: Real Estate; view more
Licensed in Washington since: 1990
Education: Gonzaga University School of Law
Selected to Super Lawyers: 2026 Eric M. Steven serves as the principal and managing lawyer at Eric M. Steven, PS, where he has built a reputation as one of the region’s foremost authorities on landlord-tenant law. Based in Spokane, Washington, he represents clients in both state and federal courts throughout Eastern Washington and Northern Idaho. His practice encompasses eviction and ejectment actions, commercial leasing disputes, fair housing litigation and a broad spectrum of landlord-tenant conflicts.
A trailblazer in his field, Mr. Steven is among the few attorneys in Washington to have defended a fair housing claim before a federal jury. He acts as counsel for property owners, landlords, management firms, mobile home park operators and subsidized housing providers. Beyond the courtroom, he lends his competence to legislative reform efforts and advises the Washington Apartment Association on policy and regulatory matters.
Mr. Steven earned his Bachelor of Arts from The University of Oklahoma and his Juris Doctor from Gonzaga University School of Law. As a licensed real estate instructor, he frequently presents at continuing legal education seminars for attorneys, property managers and law enforcement professionals. He has authored numerous training manuals for landlords and CLE programs, including key articles such as the following:
- “From Landlord/Tenant to Debt Collector/Consumer and Back Again,” Gonzaga Law Review* (Vol. 35, 1999–2000)
- “Fair Housing – Landlords’ Perspective,” *The Advocate* (Vol. 57 No. 3/4, March/April 2014)
- “A Comparison of Residential Tenancies in Idaho and Washington State” (2013), published by the Idaho Bar Association
A popular voice at the annual Trends conference – the Northwest’s largest rental housing management gathering – Mr. Steven earned recognition from the Washington State Bar Association (WSBA) in 2003 through its “Best of CLE” Encore series. He frequently delivers presentations for both the WSBA and the Spokane County Bar Association, and he maintains memberships in the Eastern District of Washington Bankruptcy Bar Association, along with numerous other organizations. Chosen through peer-reviewed voting by the National Business Institute, he was also named “Outstanding Faculty Member of the Year” in 2023 and again in 2024.
Practice areas
Real Estate: BusinessFocus areas
Landlord/Tenant
- 100% Real Estate: Business
First Admitted: 1990, Washington
Professional Webpage: https://ericstevenlaw.com/about-us
Special Licenses / Certifications
- Licensed Real Estate Instructor in WA, 2023
Educational Background
- University of Oklahoma, B.A., 1987
Scholarly Lectures / Writings
- Authored Law Review article, Gonzaga Law Review Volume 35 Number 2(1999), on the application of the Fair Debt Collection Act to Landlord Tenant Relations., Author, From Landlord/Tenant to Debt Collector/Consumer and Back Again, Gonzaga Law Review, Legal, 1999
- The Idaho State Bar Association "The Advocate" magazine published an article I drafted on landlord compliance with fair housing duties under state and federal law., Author, Fair Housing -Landlords' Perspective, The Advocate, Housing, Law, Landlord Tenant, 2014
- Invited conference speaker on Landlord Tenant Relations at Trends Conference which is the largest housing conference in Northwest held annually at Seattle Convention Center., Speaker, Trends Real Estate Conference, WA Landlord Association/ Rental Housing Assoc of WA, Housing, Law, Landlord Tenant, 2018
- Invited conference speaker on Landlord Tenant Relations at Trends Conference which is the largest housing conference in Northwest held annually at the Seattle Convention Center., Speaker, Trends Real Estate Conference, WA Landlord Association/ Rental Housing Assoc of WA, Housing, Law, Landlord Tenant, 2019
- Invited conference speaker on Landlord Tenant Relations for Trends Real Estate Conference which is the largest housing conference in Northwest held annually at Seattle Convention Center., Speaker, Trends Real Estate Conference, WA Landlord Association/ Rental Housing Assoc of WA, Housing, Law, Landlord Tenant, 2020
- Invited speaker by WA State Bar Association to address landlord tenant relations, and statutory changes., CLE Speaker, WSBA Zoom CLE- Landlord Tenant Relations In Pandemic, WA State Bar Association, Legal, 2021
- Invited speaker for the last decade, including 2022 and slated for December 2023, to the Trends Real Estate Conference in Seattle. Presenting on various landlord tenant topics to real estate industry professionals., Speaker, Trends Real Estate Conference, RHA and WLA, Real Estate, 2022
- Conference Chair and Speaker for CLE addressing Landlord Tenant Relations and residential evictions., Chair and Speaker, Residential Evictions CLE, The Seminar Group, Housing, Law, Landlord Tenant, 2023
- In 2023, and in several prior years, I was an invited CLE speaker on landlord tenant relations for the Spokane County Bar Association, CLE Speaker, Landlord Tenant Regional Update, Spokane County Bar Association, Housing, Law, Landlord Tenant, 2023
- Slated speaker on Landlord Tenant law in Continuing Legal Education seminar on Real Property presented by NBI. December, CLE Conference Chair and Speaker, NBI CLE on Landlord Tenant Laws, National Business Institute, Legal, 2023
- Chair speaker in CLE on landlord tenant relations for the WSBA, CLE Chair and Speaker, Landlord Tenant Update, WA State Bar Association, Housing, Law, Landlord Tenant, 2023
Other Outstanding Achievements
- Author of Gonzaga Law Review article on application of Fair Debt Collection Practice Act to Landlord Tenant Relations in Gonzaga Law Review Journal., 1999
- In 2003, the WA State Bar Association invited Eric Steven to speak in the Encore Best of CLE series based upon excellent speaker ratings., 2003
Honors
- Nationally published Lawyer Monthly Magazine provided my law office the award of Housing Law Firm of The Year., Housing Law Firm of the Year, Lawyer Monthly Magazine, 2019
- Named top Housing Lawyer and Top 200 lawyer in Spokane CDA area based upon AVVO peer ratings 5/5., Top Housing Lawyer and Top 200 Lawyer, Spokane CDA Living Magazine, 2018
- Named Top Housing Lawyer and Top 200 lawyer in Spokane CDA area based upon AVVO peer ratings 5/5., Top Housing Lawyer and Top 200 Lawyer, Spokane CDA Living Magazine, 2019
- Provided award for being top Housing Lawyer and Top 200 lawyer in Spokane CDA area based upon AVVO peer ratings 5/5., Top Housing Lawyer and Top 200 Lawyer in Spokane CDA area, Spokane CDA Living Magazine, 2020
- Designated an Elite Lawyer by Elite Lawyers., Elite Lawyer, Elite Lawyers, 2021
- Provided an award for being top Housing Lawyer and top 200 Lawyer in Spokane CDA area based upon AVVO peer ratings of 5/5., Top 200 Lawyers / Top Housing Lawyer, Spokane CDA Living Magazine, 2022
- Named Elite Lawyer by Elite Lawyers., Elite Lawyer, Elite Lawyers, 2023
- Steven Law Office received the award designation of "Power Partner" in business based upon positive client reviews., Power Partner, Inc Magazine, 2023
- Since 2018, including this year 2023, Eric Steven has been rated by Spokane CDA Living Magazine as a top Housing Lawyer and top 200 lawyer based upon AVVO peer ratings 5/5., Top Housing Lawyer and Top 200 Lawyers in Spokane, Spokane CDA Living Magazine, 2023
Awards
Distinguished: This award is granted to attorneys who have been recognized by their peers for very high ethical standards, with an average peer review score of 3.0 to 4.4.
Selections
- Super Lawyers: 2026
