E. Steve Smith

Steve is counsel in Reed Smith’s Global Commercial Disputes Group and represents clients in a wide variety of complex commercial litigation from numerous industries. Steve has represented individuals and business organizations in state and federal courts across the country, as well as in arbitration proceedings.

Experience

Representative matters

Represented former CEO of Dallas-based real estate investment companies to protect rights to sale proceeds of more than $15 million following a sale of commercial real estate portfolio, to recover damages for breach of contract and to defend allegations for breach of fiduciary duty. Following a two-week jury trial, jury returned a unanimous verdict in favor of client on all accounts entitling client to more than $22 million.

Represented trustee in an action to defend against allegations of fraudulent transfer, seeking damages of more than $1 million. Successfully obtained summary judgment dismissing all claims.

Represented intellectual property transaction company and its CEO in an action to defend against allegations of fraud and breach of contract seeking damages and equity interest in company. After being retained less than one month prior to trial, successfully obtained unanimous jury verdict on all counts following a five-day jury trial.

Represented trustee in an action to defend against allegations of fraudulent transfer, seeking damages of more than $1 million. Successfully obtained summary judgment dismissing all claims.

Represented aircraft broker to recover damages for breach of contract in federal court in California. Successfully obtained summary judgment entitling client to all amounts sought.

Represented law firm in an action against a former partner seeking to recover damages and defend against claims for breach of contract. Successfully obtained partial summary judgment on three separate occasions, narrowing dispute for trial. Following a jury trial spanning more than one week, successfully obtained judgment in favor of client.

Represented CEO of audio-visual technology company to recover damages for breach of oral loan agreement. Successfully obtained judgment in favor of client to recover all damages sought.

Represented real estate company and its owner defending claims for breach of fiduciary duty and breach of alleged oral partnership agreement whereby plaintiff sought damages of more than $100 million. Successfully prevailed on pretrial motion to strike plaintiffs’ alleged damages, resulting in favorable settlement to client.

Represented bankruptcy trustee in fraudulent transfer suit against the former owner of a private adoption agency, resulting in favorable settlement.

Represented consulting company in breach of contract action in federal court to recover money owed by a former client, resulting in a judgment in favor of client in excess of $1 million following trial.

Represented former member of a limited liability company in a suit brought by the company’s manager, successfully dismissing claims for fraud and breach of fiduciary duty before obtaining favorable results at trial on the remaining claims.