Steven M. Bierman

Representative engagements include:

• Representation of one of the largest global law firms in defense against gender pay discrimination claims under federal and state employment laws, brought by female partners of that firm on an individual and putative class basis, resulting in settlement and dismissal of those claims. 
• Representation of  major diversified energy company and its directors and officers in multiple securities class actions and multiple shareholder derivative suits, arising from a merger that created the largest U.S. utility, and subsequent replacement of the CEO of the merged company, which arose from management of significant environmental matters and incidents. 
• Representation of prominent asset management firm and managing director in successful defense of Sherman Act Section 1, breach of contract, tortious interference, and conversion claims arising from aquaculture ventures in Baja California, Mexico, resulting in complete dismissal of all claims before trial.
• Representation of the Superintendent of Financial Services of the State of New York, as special deputized litigation counsel, in action seeking to liquidate Executive Life Insurance Company of New York, resulting in order of liquidation following a trial, and affirmance on appeal, and successful defense of related putative class action. 
• Representation of ad hoc noteholder group and indenture trustee in preliminary injunction proceedings and expedited trial, respectively, regarding redemption of debt securities. Following the trial in which Steve was lead defense counsel, the court described the advocacy as “simply superb”.
• Representation in Chapter 11 bankruptcy of Debtor paperboard and container manufacturer, in the successful defense against noteholders’ claims for $220 million damages arising under foreign unlimited liability company law.
• Representation of major accounting firm in the successful defense of securities class actions by shareholders of audit client and related shareholder derivative suits asserting breach of fiduciary duties and aiding and abetting same.
• Representation of major global banking institution in the successful defense of shareholder derivative actions asserting breach of fiduciary duties in connection with executive compensation and mortgage practices.
• Representation of Vietnamese and Canadian clients in an arbitration under the aegis of the International Chamber of Commerce, in the successful defense against claims seeking $300 million in damages for alleged breaches of long-term supply agreements and associated alleged torts, in which the arbitral tribunal awarded the firm’s clients $3.1 million in attorneys’ fees and costs following trial.
• Representation of global telecom company in the successful defense against claims seeking $180 million for alleged antitrust tying, breach of contract and tortious interference with contract, in which the court awarded the client $2 million in attorneys’ fees following a jury trial.
• Representation of clients in multiple confidential arbitrations asserting claims involving purchase and sale of businesses, post-closing balance sheet adjustments, representations and warranties, insurance contracts and cross-border outsourcing agreements.

Steve is recognized as a Litigation Star, United States (Commercial Litigation); and a local Litigation Star (New York) by the 2015, 2017, 2019 and 2020 editions of Benchmark Litigation. Additionally, Steve is recognized in the 2016, 2017 and 2020 editions of The Best Lawyers in America, The Legal 500 in Commercial Litigation and Chambers USA 2017.

• New York Legal Aid Society, member of Board of Directors.
• U.S. District Court, Southern District of New York, appointed as member of S.D.N.Y. Mediation Panel.
• Institute for Conflict Prevention and Resolution (CPR), member of CPR Council (Leading corporate, law firm and academic representatives whose mission is to spearhead innovation in commercial conflict management).