Steve is a renowned U.S. attorney who has dedicated his 40-year legal career to uplifting those most in need of representation against the world’s largest corporations and wrongdoers. Steve’s legacy includes many noteworthy cases and victories, chiefly among them having served as co-lead counsel against Big Tobacco, resulting in the largest settlement in world history, and at the time the largest automotive, antitrust, ERISA and securities settlements in U.S. history.
Steve’s work also includes a focus on automotive litigation, with a specific focus on emissions-cheating cases against major automakers. Mr. Berman pioneered this area of law on the heels of the Volkswagen Dieselgate litigation, which he served in as a member of the Plaintiffs’ Steering Committee and lead counsel on behalf of VW franchise dealers, in a suit culminating in a settlement of $1.6 billion – a substantial recovery for the class. Hagens Berman was the first law firm in the nation to sue VW regarding its emissions cheating and has gone on to independently test diesel vehicles, bringing proprietary class actions against Mercedes, Audi, BMW, Fiat Chrysler, General Motors and Ford.
Steve is the Funder’s representative to the Foundation. He waives his hourly fee in furtherance of the mission.
