Stephen D. Lentz, Esq.

Equity Partner

Stephen D. Lentz, Esq. serves as Equity Partner and Senior Counsel at Anchor Legal Group and has been practicing law for over 50 years. Steve brings a rare combination of legal, executive leadership, and pastoral experience to the firm. An accomplished attorney and ordained pastor, Steve is widely recognized as a leading authority on nonprofit and church law throughout the United States and Canada. Over the course of his career, he has counseled churches, ministries, foundations, and nonprofit organizations of all sizes, helping them navigate complex legal challenges while advancing their missions with integrity.

Steve’s legal practice covers a broad spectrum of areas, including complex business transactions, entertainment law, intellectual property, nonprofit governance, and foundation and ministry representation. He is frequently retained as corporate and outside counsel to national and international denominations, church networks, and nonprofit organizations. His strategic counsel has proven invaluable to organizations seeking not only compliance and protection but also growth, innovation, and long-term stability.

Before entering the practice of law, Steve enjoyed a distinguished career in the media and entertainment industry, where he held senior executive positions. He served as President and CEO of Fit TV, President of Middle East Television, and Senior Vice President of Worldwide Sales for International Family Entertainment. In these roles, he oversaw international advertising operations, shaped corporate strategy, and navigated regulatory issues across multiple jurisdictions.

One of Steve’s most notable achievements was his role in shaping broadcast law in Israel. Appearing before the Israeli Supreme Court, he successfully advocated for changes that opened the door for international television entities to advertise in the country. His leadership helped transform Middle East Television into one of the largest super-stations in the region, reaching audiences in the tens of millions across Israel and the Middle East. He was also instrumental in building Fit TV into a nationally recognized brand, ultimately guiding its sale to Fox Sports. As part of the senior management team at International Family Entertainment, Steve played a key role in the company’s IPO and its landmark $1.8 billion sale to Rupert Murdoch’s News Corporation.

In addition to his professional practice, Steve has dedicated himself to teaching and mentoring future leaders. As an adjunct professor at Regent University School of Law, he has taught courses ranging from Wills, Trusts & Estates and International Business Transactions to Entertainment Law and Law Practice Management. He has also served as adjunct faculty in Regent’s Graduate School of Communication, teaching Media Law, Policy, and Ethics. His commitment to education reflects his passion for equipping the next generation of lawyers, communicators, and nonprofit leaders.

Steve is also an accomplished author and thought leader. His book Bulletproof: Business Protection Strategies from a War Zone draws directly from his time as President of Middle East Television, where he wore a flak jacket to work and traveled in an armored car with armed guards. Leading an organization under those extreme conditions taught him how to defend and advance mission-critical goals even in the midst of constant threats. In Bulletproof, he translates those lessons into practical strategies for business professionals, pastors, and leaders, equipping them to protect their organizations against both visible and unseen challenges while staying focused on their purpose. His other works include It Was Never About the Ketchup! The Leadership Legacy of H.J. Heinz and The Business of Church: The Concise Handbook for Pastors.

Through his work as an attorney, educator, author, and pastor, Steve has earned a reputation as a trusted advisor and an influential voice at the intersection of law, business, and faith-based leadership. His career reflects not only professional excellence but also a deep commitment to service, stewardship, and the advancement of organizations that make a lasting impact.