Steven Bader is an appellate and litigation attorney. He enjoys working with his clients to develop cost-effective solutions to complicated legal problems. His background and experiences allow him to help clients in various settings.
APPELLATE PRACTICE
Steven is chair of the firm’s Appellate Law Practice Group. In this role, he has served as lead counsel on more than 30 appeals in state and federal courts.
Steven is a clear writer and engaging oral advocate. Steven avoids esoteric and abstract theory and focuses on the real stakes at issue in each case. He analyzes the issues in a concise and comprehensive manner. And in the process, Steven makes sure that his client’s story is told. This approach helps Steven guide the appellate court to a result supported by the law and the facts.
As appellate counsel, Steven has represented state actors in immunity and governmental powers cases, professionals sued for malpractice, and businesses in class-action litigation. His case experience includes everything from novel statutory interpretation questions to matters that test the boundaries of North Carolina common law.
Steven has appeared and argued multiple times before the North Carolina Supreme Court, the North Carolina Court of Appeals and the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals. Steven was selected for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America®: Ones to Watch in the field of Appellate Practice (2022-23) and North Carolina Super Lawyers Rising Stars (2022).
COMPLEX LITIGATION
Steven maintains an active litigation practice, defending businesses and individuals in casualty matters, including wrongful death suits, personal injury claims, construction defect litigation, and professional liability lawsuits.
Much of this practice is concentrated on defending retail and hospitality businesses, landlords and apartments, and other businesses sued by customers or patrons. This includes premises liability suits, negligence supervision/retention allegations, liquor liability claims, falling merchandise claims, and the like. Steven is often called to assist with pre-suit investigations following a loss. Steven takes pride in helping clients in the retail and hospitality space protect their brand.
Steven is a detail-oriented advocate who stays focused on the big picture. Most lawsuits come down to one or two big issues. Steven works with his clients to focus on these determinative questions and position the defense for a favorable outcome, whether that comes through settlement, motion practice, or trial. Steven maintains an AV rating with Martindale Hubbell.
INSURANCE COVERAGE
Steven advises insurance carriers on coverage issues in first- and third-party claims. He works with carriers to resolve murky and unsettled coverage issues in a pragmatic and thoughtful way.
Steven is often called upon to represent carriers in declaratory judgment actions, including business interruption claims stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic and resulting government shut-down orders. Steven has obtained favorable dispositive motion rulings for carriers in first-party suits. He also has experience trying first-party insurance coverage cases to jury in federal court. Steven was selected for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America®: Ones to Watch in the field of Insurance Law (2023).
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Prior to joining Cranfill Sumner in 2019, Steven partnered at a mid-sized insurance defense firm in Saint Cloud, Minnesota. Steven briefed and argued numerous cases before the Minnesota Court of Appeals and the Minnesota Supreme Court. He also tried more than a dozen cases to jury. Steven was named a Minnesota Super Lawyers Rising Star in 2019.
Steven is a member of the Defense Research Institute (DRI) and the North Carolina Association of Defense Attorneys. He has published articles in For the Defense (monthly publication of DRI), Minnesota Defense, and Bench and Bar of Minnesota.
Steven is a cum laude graduate of the Gonzaga University School of Law where he served as articles editor of the Gonzaga Law Review, an associate editor of the Gonzaga Journal of International Law, a research assistant, and a judicial extern at the Washington Court of Appeals. After law school, he started his legal career as a judicial law clerk in Minnesota District Court. Steven earned his undergraduate degree, magna cum laude, from Saint Cloud State University (Minnesota), where he was captain of the men’s track and field team.
Steven and his wife, who is also an attorney in Raleigh, are parents to three young boys and two energetic German Shepherds. When not practicing law (or watching his boys play soccer), Steven enjoys running, reading, history, and cooking.
ARTICLES, PRESENTATIONS, AND PUBLICATIONS
- “Communicable Disease Coverage in the Age of COVID-19,” DRI, For the Defense, Vol. 64, No. 1, January 2022
- “The Last Line of Defense: The ISO Virus Exclusion Meets COVID-19 Business Interruption Suits” (co-author with CSH colleague Jennifer Welch) DRI, For the Defense, Vol. 62, No. 12, December 2020
- “Down on the Farm: Does the Pollution Exclusion Remove Coverage for E. Coli Infections Linked to Petting Zoos” DRI, For the Defense, Vol. 61, No. 7, July 2019
- “Supreme Shift: Lessons the Defense Bar Can Learn from Recent Supreme Court Opinions” Minnesota Defense, Volume 39, Issue 3, Fall 2018
- “Join the Retail and Hospitality Committee” (co-author), Minnesota Defense, Volume 38, Issue 2, Summer 2017
- “Develop Effective Trial Themes from Discovery to Trial” Featured Article, DRI Trials and Tribulations, the Newsletter of the Trial Tactics Committee, Volume 22, Issue 4
- “The Joke is on Your Client: An Analysis of Liability Coverage and Defense for the Creators of Online Parody Accounts” DRI, For the Defense, Vol. 57, No. 4, April 2015
- “Every Dog Has its Day (In Court) – Defending Dog Attack Cases in Minnesota” Minnesota Defense, Volume 35, Issue 1, Spring 2014
- “When the Grass Turns Brown: Prosecuting Marijuana Mixtures in Minnesota” Bench and Bar of Minnesota, Volume LXIX Number 1, January 2012
Most Recent Posts
Unveiling Privilege Challenges in Joint Corporate Defense Agreements
Four co-defendants meet with their joint defense counsel to discuss a pending lawsuit. The meeting ends and all participants are… Read More
Certiorari Crossroads: Navigating Appeals and Dissents in Cryan v. National Council of YMCAs
In Cryan v. National Council of YMCAs of the U.S., the North Carolina Supreme Court gave a refresher on certiorari… Read More
Appeal with Caution: Lessons from the North Carolina Court of Appeals on Appellate Jurisdiction
There is no such thing as a sure thing. And in three unpublished opinions, the North Court of Appeals reminded… Read More
North Carolina Court of Appeals Clarifies Its Jurisdiction to Review Orders Denying Motions to Compel Arbitration
An order that denies a motion to compel arbitration, although interlocutory, can be appealed right away. Such rulings involve a… Read More
13 Cranfill Sumner LLP Attorneys Named to 2023 North Carolina Super Lawyers and Rising Stars Lists
Cranfill Sumner LLP announced that 13 of its attorneys have been selected for inclusion in the 2023 North Carolina Super Lawyers and 2023 North Carolina Rising Stars lists.
… Read More
Steven Bader Wins Jury Trial in Federal Court
Attorney Steven Bader recently won a jury trial in the United States District Court for the Western District of North… Read More
CSH Law Attorneys Receive Best Lawyers® “Ones to Watch” Recognition
Four attorneys from Cranfill Sumner LLP (CSH Law) were recently named among the Best Lawyers® 2023 Ones to Watch.… Read More
Steven Bader, Susan Hofer and Mica Nguyen Worthy Prevail on Borrowing Statute case at North Carolina Court of Appeals
Cranfill Sumner attorneys Steven Bader, Susan Hofer and Mica Nguyen Worthy won dismissal for their client, an aircraft maintenance and… Read More
Steven Bader and Donna Rascoe Win Contributory Negligence Case at North Carolina Court of Appeals
The North Carolina Court of Appeals affirmed summary judgment for Cranfill Sumner’s client, a local school board, in a bodily… Read More
Steven Bader Discusses Communicable Disease Insurance Coverage
“Communicable Disease Coverage in the Age of COVID-19,” an article by Steven Bader recently appeared in For the Defense. Steven outlines what communicable disease coverage is intended to cover and the legal issues surrounding it throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. The article appeared in the January 2022 edition.… Read More
Steven Bader and Richard Boyette Prevail at North Carolina Court of Appeals
The North Carolina Court of Appeals affirmed dismissal of a complaint against our client, a community association management company, for… Read More
11 Cranfill Sumner LLP Attorneys Named to 2022 North Carolina Super Lawyers and Rising Stars Lists
Cranfill Sumner LLP announced that 11 of its attorneys have been selected for inclusion in the 2022 North Carolina Super Lawyers and 2022 North Carolina Rising Stars lists.… Read More
Cranfill Sumner LLP Announces New Partners
Cranfill Sumner LLP today announced that Steven Bader (Raleigh), Stephen Bell (Wilmington) and Charles Hicks (Raleigh) have been named partners in the firm.… Read More
NC Supreme Court Amends Appellate Procedure Rules
On Oct. 13, the Supreme Court of North Carolina adopted amendments to the North Carolina Rules of Appellate Procedure. The… Read More
CSH Law Attorneys Receive Best Lawyers® “Ones to Watch” Recognition
Four attorneys from Cranfill Sumner LLP (CSH Law) were recently named among the Best Lawyers® 2022 Ones to Watch.… Read More
Cranfill Sumner LLP Attorneys Receive AV Rating from Martindale-Hubbell
Cranfill Sumner LLP (CSH Law) today announced that Steven Bader, Paul Gessner, Charles Hicks, Q. Shanté Martin and Nick Valaoras have received AV® Ratings from Martindale-Hubbell.… Read More
Cranfill Sumner Attorneys Featured in DRI Publication
Steven Bader and Jennifer Welch are featured in the December edition of For the Defense. Their article, “The ISO Virus… Read More
North Carolina Superior Court Bucks National Trend and Rules for Policyholders in COVID-19 Business Interruption Suit
State and local governments around the country, including in North Carolina, directed bars, restaurants, and other businesses to suspend or… Read More
Cranfill Sumner Attorneys Volunteer for Legal Aid Eviction Project
In May 2020, Legal Aid of North Carolina launched an effort to help North Carolinians who were struggling to pay rent and were facing eviction. Legal Aid paired available emergency financial support with a search for volunteer attorneys from across the state who could help negotiate past and future payments with landlords.… Read More
Are Jurisdictional Facts Reweighed on Appeal?
The North Carolina Court of Appeals Disagrees on the Standard of Review of the Industrial Commission’s Jurisdiction North Carolina appellate… Read More
Contributory Negligence Survives… For Now
North Carolina adheres to the common law doctrine of contributory negligence. The rule, which has been jettisoned by 46 states… Read More
North Carolina Court of Appeals Reminds Practitioners that the Rules are NOT Meant to be Broken
Nothing derails a good appeal faster than a jurisdictional problem. And although the rules of procedure can be confusing, they cannot be… Read More
Cranfill Sumner Launches COVID-19 Response Team
Cranfill Sumner & Hartzog LLP (Cranfill Sumner) announced the creation of its COVID-19 Response Team. The team is comprised of… Read More
Steven Bader Joins Cranfill Sumner Raleigh Office
Cranfill Sumner LLP (Cranfill Sumner) today announced that Steven Bader has joined the firm’s Raleigh office as Of Counsel. Bader focuses his practice in appellate law.… Read More