Accolades
Profile
Work Department
Position
Principal, Management Committee Member, Much Community Chair
Career
Steve is a valued legal and business counselor who focuses on complex business litigation. Steve has argued successfully before the federal and state appellate courts as well as the Illinois Supreme Court. He possesses a record of success in motion and trial practice in state and federal courts and in arbitration.
His clients range from Fortune 500 companies and government entities to small businesses and entrepreneurs in a variety of industries, including gaming, consumer packaged goods, financial services, insurance, and real estate. He has represented a market-leading food company for more than five years, advising on labeling claims, class action defense, consumer claims, Prop 65, and slack fill issues.
As a strategic counselor, Steve learns the economic, financial, and human drivers affecting a client’s business. He helps them identify and overcome obstacles and design plans to accomplish their business objectives. Drawing on his skills as a litigator, he solves problems related to class action defense, corporate governance and control, securities, insurance, real estate, regulatory compliance, and other business issues.
In addition, Steve serves as the first line of defense for clients responding to inquiries from state attorneys general and in qui tam litigation, with experience representing clients before state and federal regulatory and governmental bodies. He also leads internal investigations regarding alleged corporate misconduct and represents parties in trust disputes and other probate matters.
Steve, chair of the firm's social responsibility initiative Much Community, is always on the lookout for ways to impact law reform. Most recently, he filed an amicus brief in the Supreme Court of Louisiana arguing defendants convicted by Jim Crow juries have been denied their constitutional rights. He is driven to stand up for those who have no one else to speak for them.
As a member of Much's Management Committee, Steve focuses on growing the next generation of attorneys and instilling that same drive to make a difference.
Languages
Memberships
- American Bar Association
- Illinois State Bar Association
- Chicago Bar Association
- American Bar Foundation, Life Fellow
Education
- University of Chicago Law School, J.D., 1993
- University of Michigan, B.A., Sociology and History, with Distinction and Honors, 1990
Content supplied by Much Shelist, P.C.
Key clients
- Goldwind USA
- Argos Capital Partners
- St. Cloud Capital
- Accel Entertainment Inc.
- Barilla America Inc.
- Cooper Foods International
- Velsicol Chemical
- Genesis Lifestyle Medicine
- CVS
- Vita Foods
- Cinespace Film Studios
- City of Chicago

