Steven K. "Steve" Metcalf

Steven K. "Steve" Metcalf

Tulsa, OK recognized lawyers icon Recognized in Best Lawyers since 2011
Metcalf & Spitler LLP

2 Best Lawyers awards

Metcalf & Spitler LLP logo

Awarded Practice Areas

Construction Law Litigation - Construction
*Named the "Lawyer of the Year" in this practice area in the 2026 edition in Tulsa.

Biography

Mr. Metcalf is an accomplished construction lawyer with more than 25 years of experience successfully representing clients in all aspects of construction law and litigation. Whether dealing with the day-to-day legal issues that arise in a client’s business, or serving as an effective client advocate in the periodic disputes that clients face, Mr. Metcalf serves as both a trusted advisor and an effective litigator for his clients.

Mr. Metcalf’s legal practice follows a successful ten year career in construction management where he developed an intimate knowledge of the construction industry and its practices, processes, and procedures. This practical understanding of the construction business allows Mr. Metcalf to immediately identify the concerns a client is seeking to address and get right to work addressing those concerns in an effective and efficient manner.

Mr. Metcalf has first-chair experience litigating, arbitrating, and mediating all types of construction disputes and is active in state and federal trial courts in Oklahoma, Missouri and Arkansas, in arbitration and mediation throughout the Midwest, and in state and federal appellate courts in Oklahoma, Texas, the Eighth and Tenth Circuit Courts of Appeal, and in the Federal Court of Claims. Mr. Metcalf also frequently serves as an independent mediator and arbitrator, working with parties and their counsel to resolve construction and other disputes, and is a member of the American Arbitration Association Construction Industry Panel of Arbitrators.

In addition, in his role as outside General Counsel for several clients, Mr. Metcalf works in partnership to promptly address the myriad business and legal issues his clients face on a day-to-day basis. In this capacity, Mr. Metcalf frequently reviews and negotiates construction contracts for project owners, contractors and subcontractors, provides legal advice regarding local, state, and federal code compliance issues, gives direction regarding claim preparation and documentation, and assists in developing pre-litigation and litigation planning and strategy when the client is represented by its insurer.

Mr. Metcalf is recognized by Best Lawyers® as among the nation’s top lawyers in the areas of Construction Law and Construction Litigation, and based on his particularly high level of peer recognition has been selected as Best Lawyers® 2014 Tulsa Area Lawyer of the Year for Construction Law, and the 2016 and 2018 Tulsa Area Lawyer of the Year for Litigation-Construction.

Mr. Metcalf enjoys the highest rating (AV) by Martindale-Hubbell for ethical standards and legal ability as determined by his peers and clients and has been repeatedly recognized by Super Lawyers® in the area of Construction Law and Construction Litigation. A frequent writer and speaker to lawyers and industry professionals regarding construction law and construction business topics, Mr. Metcalf is also active in the community.

Areas of Practice

  • Construction Law (all areas)
  • Construction and Design Defect Claims
  • Real Estate Law (construction related)
  • Insurance-Coverage Claims
  • Lien Filing and Foreclosure
  • Contract Default and Surety Claims
  • Bid Contests
  • Payment and Performance Bond Claims
  • Code Enforcement
  • Delay, Acceleration and Inefficiency Claims
  • Construction Contract Drafting and Negotiation
  • General and Complex Business Litigation, Mediation and Arbitration

Metcalf & Spitler LLP

2 Best Lawyers awards

Metcalf & Spitler LLP logo

Overview

  • University of Tulsa, J.D., graduated 1991
  • Oklahoma State University, Bachelor of Science , graduated 1980

  • Oklahoma, Oklahoma

  • ABA Section of Construction Litigation - Member

  • All Oklahoma District and Appellate Courts
  • U.S. District Court for the Northern, Eastern and Western Districts of Oklahoma
  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the 10th Circuit
  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the 8th Circuit
  • U.S. Court of Claims
  • Oklahoma, Oklahoma
  • ABA Section of Construction Litigation - Member
  • University of Tulsa, J.D., graduated 1991
  • Oklahoma State University, Bachelor of Science , graduated 1980
  • All Oklahoma District and Appellate Courts
  • U.S. District Court for the Northern, Eastern and Western Districts of Oklahoma
  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the 10th Circuit
  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the 8th Circuit
  • U.S. Court of Claims

Client Testimonials

Mr. Metcalf's construction background is clearly evident when discussing the situations that we are currently facing. He quickly grasps the issues at hand and is able to relay the information in simple and concise terms.

Steven Metcalf is extremely professional and articulate in explaining issues in layman's terms so that good decisions may be reached.

Steve Johnson (McIntosh Services, Inc.)

Tulsa, OK

Steve is extremely intelligent and prepared to handle any situation. He has a broad base of experience in the construction related fields and pays attention to detail.

Larry Leatherman (Sludge Technology, Inc.)

Muskogee, OK

Mr. Metcalf is very well-versed in construction law and has helped mitigate potential gaps in various contracts that could have caused our company a great deal of exposure during certain projects. Mr. Metcalf is the constant professional, always stern in the defense of his clients and still gentle enough to keep everyone comfortable in pressing situations.

Jon Read (Kanbar Properties, Inc.)

Tulsa, OK

Awards & Focus

Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2026 - Construction Law Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2026 - Litigation - Construction Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2024 - Litigation - Construction Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2021 - Litigation - Construction Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2020 - Construction Law Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2018 - Litigation - Construction Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2016 - Litigation - Construction Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2014 - Construction Law
Named "Lawyer of the Year" by Best Lawyers® for:
  • Construction Law, Tulsa (2026)
  • Litigation - Construction, Tulsa (2026)
  • Litigation - Construction, Tulsa (2024)
  • Litigation - Construction, Tulsa (2021)
  • Construction Law, Tulsa (2020)
  • Litigation - Construction, Tulsa (2018)
  • Litigation - Construction, Tulsa (2016)
  • Construction Law, Tulsa (2014)
Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America® 2026 for work in:
  • Construction Law
  • Litigation - Construction
Additional Areas of Practice:
  • Government Contracts
  • Mediation
Awards:
  • Highest rating (AV) from Martindale Martindale-Hubbell for ethical standards and legal ability as determined by his peers and clients
  • Tulsa Law Journal, Senior Editor and Staff Member
  • Order of the Curule Chair – University of Tulsa College of Law, 1991
  • Robert C. Butler Jr. Award for Excellence in Legal Scholarship and Writing, University of Tulsa College of Law, 1989 – 1990
  • Lawyer of the Year Construction Law - Tulsa, Best Lawyers 2014
  • Lawyer of the Year Litigation - Construction - Tulsa, Best Lawyers 2016
  • Lawyer of the Year Litigation - Construction - Tulsa, Best Lawyers 2018

Case History

Cases
  • 2009
Favorable settlement of $650,000 breach of construction contract claim against owner.
  • 2009
Favorable settlement of $83,000 breach of construction contract and lien foreclosure claims against a project owner client by general contractor and subcontractor.
  • 2008
$17,000 settlement for masonry contractor in failure of payment litigation with general contractor and its surety regarding public school construction project.
  • 2008
$204,000 judgment in negligent injury to property litigation for electrical contractor.
  • 2008
Favorable settlement of $10.5 million construction defect litigation against steel erection subcontractor client.
  • 2007
$450,000 settlement of contract termination and performance bond arbitration claim against general contractor on behalf of owner/developer.
  • 2007
Favorable settlement of $180,000 negligent operation and defective equipment claim against steel erection/crane rental client.
  • 2007
$350,000 settlement for public trust owner of negligence claim against project architect.
  • 2007
$85,000 arbitration award for subcontractor seeking payment from general contractor on Corps of Engineers project.
  • 2006
$238,000 arbitration award in favor of roofing contractor against general contractor on a Corps of Engineers project in Kansas and successful defense of appeal.
  • 2005
Favorable settlement in arbitration of $137,000 failure of payment for masonry contractor against general contractor and payment bond surety on public school project.
  • 2004
$2.1 million arbitration award for mechanical contractor claiming damages for delay, changed conditions, extra work and lost efficiency, and successfully defended award on appeal.

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