Steven Smith has 30 years of experience in complex commercial litigation matters at trial and appellate levels. His practice focuses on business and commercial disputes in state and federal courts across the country, including lead counsel in numerous class action cases and consolidated multidistrict proceedings.

Concentration: Complex Commercial Litigation, Class Action Litigation, Financial Institution Litigation, Securities Litigation, Accountants Liability

Select Representations

• Financial Institutions – Mr. Smith is Co-Leader of the firm’s Consumer Financial Services Litigation Team and has represented major financial institutions in a variety of cases, including investigations by regulatory authorities and litigation involving RESPA, TILA, HOEPA, state consumer protection statutes and common law predatory lending claims.
• Securities Litigation – Mr. Smith’s securities’ practice has involved defense of corporations and corporate directors and officers in securities fraud class actions (including cases before the Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation) and shareholder derivative cases.
• Accountants’ Liability – Mr. Smith has significant experience in representing accounting firms, including Big 4 and other national firms, in securities fraud, malpractice and RICO.
• Art Law – Mr. Smith has represented collectors in a variety of litigation matters often involving recovery of stolen pieces of art.

Bar and Court Admissions

Illinois, 1980

United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit

United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois

Education

University of Santa Clara, J.D., 1980

University of Chicago, B.A., 1975

Publications

Mr. Smith writes and speaks nationally on business litigation topics and has been quoted in such publications as The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, The Financial Times, The Washington Post, The Los Angeles Times, USA Today, Business Insurance, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Corporate Legal Times, The Sydney Morning Herald, The Irish Times and Insurance Day.

Speeches and Seminars

• "Evaluating Current D&O Exposure to Subprime Risk," 14th Annual Director and Officer Liability Conference, May 13 & 14, 2008
• "Securities Class Action Damages After The Dura Pharmaceutical Decision," 12th Annual Director and Officer Liability Conference, May 23-24, 2006
• "Shareholder Rights in Illinois," Illinois CPA Foundation, Litigation Support Conference, Nov. 2, 2004
• "How to Avoid Rescission of the Director & Officer Insurance Policy," American Conference Institute’s 9th Annual Director & Officer Liability Conference, Dec. 9, 2004
• "Emerging Issues in Corporate Governance," Illinois Venture Capital Association, Oct. 8, 2002
• Corporate Governance, The Sarbanes-Oxley Act: 8 Months Later, Mar. 12, 2003
• Corporate Governance Following the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, Oct. 24, 2002

Professional Affiliations

• American Bar Association – Section on Litigation; Section on Business Law
• Professional Liability Underwriters Society (PLUS)

Civic Involvement and Honors

• University of Santa Clara – Editor, Law Review