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 a prominent asset management firm and a managing director in the 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 a 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 an action seeking to liquidate Executive Life Insurance Company of New York, resulting in an order of liquidation following a trial, and affirmance on appeal, and the successful defense of a related putative class action. 
• Representation of an ad hoc noteholder group and indenture trustee in preliminary injunction proceedings and an 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 a Chapter 11 bankruptcy of debtor paperboard and container manufacturer, in the successful defense against noteholders’ claims for US$220 million in damages arising under foreign unlimited liability company law.
• Representation of a 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 a 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 US$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 US$3.1 million in attorneys’ fees and costs following trial.
• Representation of a global telecom company in the successful defense against claims seeking US$180 million for alleged antitrust tying, breach of contract, and tortious interference with contract, in which the court awarded the client US$2 million in attorneys’ fees following a jury trial.
• Representation of clients in multiple confidential arbitrations asserting claims involving the purchase and sale of businesses, post-closing balance sheet adjustments, representations and warranties, insurance contracts, and cross-border outsourcing agreements.

• New York Legal Aid Society, Member, Board of Directors.
• Mediator, Mediation Panel of the U.S. District Court, Southern District of New York.
• Mediator, Mediation Panel of the Supreme Court of the State of New York, Commercial Division.
• International Institute for Conflict Prevention and Resolution (CPR), Member, CPR Council; Co-chair, CPR Mediation Committee; Member, Dispute Prevention Committee.