Steven L. Smith, P.C.

Steven L. Smith has focused his practice on large loss property subrogation litigation since 1990. Mr. Smith earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering from Carnegie-Mellon University in Pittsburgh in 1982. He earned his Juris Doctor degree from the University of Pennsylvania School of Law in Philadelphia in 1985.

This unique combination of a technical degree with a law degree gives Mr. Smith a DEGREE OF DIFFERENCE from other property subrogation lawyers.

Mr. Smith's understanding of the technical issues in property subrogation cases allows him to tackle head on the technical issues inherent in property subrogation.

Professional Experience

August 2001 - March 2004
Kessler, Cohen and Roth, P.C.
Member

° Represent plaintiffs in litigation arising from fires and other large property losses.
° Responsible for conducting investigations, selecting and working with experts, developing theories of liability, taking and defending depositions, preparing and opposing dispositive motions, first-chairing jury trials and pursuing appeals.
° Reached a seven-figure settlement against a gas utility company and a landscaping contractor in a case where the landscaper rammed a lawn mower into a gas regulator that served a high rise apartment and the utility had not equipped the regulator with sufficient protection.
° Won a jury trial in a multimillion dollar spontaneous combustion case involving improper disposal of rags used to apply linseed oil based stain.

May 1990 - August 2001
Cozen and O'Connor
Senior Member, Contingency Department

° Represent plaintiffs in litigation arising from fires and other large property losses.
° Responsible for conducting investigations, selecting and working with experts, developing theories of liability, taking and defending depositions, preparing and opposing dispositive motions, first-chairing jury trials and pursuing appeals.
° Experience includes suits against electric utilities, product manufacturers and construction contractors.
° Originated pioneering defect claims in product liability suits, including creating and developing a defect case against an electric baseboard heater manufacturer that subsequently led to a recall by the Consumer Product Safety Commission.
° Secured significant rulings on such issues as spoliation, economic loss doctrine, and contractual waivers and limitations.
° Persuaded courts in numerous cases to preclude or severely limit testimony by defense experts.
° Specialized knowledge of principles of electricity and a facility for explaining complex technical concepts in laymen's terms.
° Mastery of industry codes such as the National Electric Code, National Electric Safety Code and BOCA Basic Building Code.

May 1988 - May 1990
Conrad O'Brien Gellman and Rohn
Associate

° Represented corporate and individual clients in all aspects of civil litigation.

Education

University of Pennsylvania Law School
Philadelphia, Pa
J.D. 1985

° Activities: Law School Light Opera, Penn Relays Marathon

Carnegie-Mellon University
Pittsburgh, Pa
B.S. 1982, Electrical Engineering and Mathematics

° Honors: Dean's List, University Honors-Outstanding Service, Lambda Sigma Honor Society

° Activities: Student Council President, Musical Theater, University Chorus, Cross Country Team

Professional Memberships

° American Bar Association
° Pennsylvania Bar Association
° The Association of Trial Lawyers of America
° National Association of Subrogation Professionals
° National Fire Protection Association