About Steven

Focused, reasonable and thoughtful trial and litigation counsel

Steven Hunter is an experienced trial lawyer with first-chair experience representing companies in the U.S. and abroad and is the Chicago office chair of the Litigation & Dispute Resolution Practice Group. He has handled all aspects of dispute resolution – from discovery and motions practice to arbitration, mediation, jury trials, bench trials and appeals – representing clients in a wide variety of disputes, including:

  • Commercial litigation, including cross-border and international disputes
  • Regulatory litigation
  • Construction and real estate litigation, including commercial leasing disputes
  • Trust and estate litigation
  • Personal liability litigation

Steven zeroes in early on the real pressure points in a dispute so as not to get mired in minutiae. He strives to be thoughtful and reasonable and to resolve disputes without litigation whenever possible. When litigation is necessary, though, he brings extensive courtroom experience to trial preparation and the negotiating table.

He is frequently invited to speak about trial practice, legal ethics, pro bono work and diversity in the legal profession.

Experience in Action

  • Representing public and private companies in U.S. and international disputes, including disputes among partners, shareholders and parties to joint ventures as well as ownership, breach of contract, commercial leasing, construction, warranty and other disputes and in proceedings before regulatory agencies such as the Illinois Department of Professional Regulations, Illinois Environmental Protection Agency and Chicago Department of Finance (Tax).
  • Representing financial institutions and other companies in syndicated loan, lender liability, fraud/consumer fraud, RESPA, TILA, FCRA, FDCPA and TCPA defense matters and enforcing commercial loans and guarantees (including the recovery and disposition of secured assets) in litigation over non-compete and trade secret issues.
  • Representing construction companies and managers, owners and trades people in construction disputes.
  • Counseling entertainers and professional athletes in a variety of disputes, including business, personal liability and probate/estate/trust litigation.
  • Leveraging his significant experience in high-volume electronically stored information (ESI) productions to manage computer forensic analysis and complex data preservation. Steven is a certified electronic discovery specialist (CEDS) and is regularly invited to speak on issues related to electronic discovery.

Successes

  • Represented clients in more than 50 arbitrations in the United States and abroad, including in securities claims before the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) and other commercial disputes before the American Arbitration Association (AAA), the International Centre for Dispute Resolution (ICDR) and the Judicial Arbitration and Mediation Services Inc. (JAMS), as well as others.

Professional Recognitions

  • Illinois State Bar Association, "2012 Young Lawyer of the Year"
  • Crain's Chicago Business, Notable Minorities in Accounting, Consulting and Law in Chicago (2019)
  • Chicago United, "Business Leader of Color" (2017)
  • Chicago Magazine, "Top Attorneys in Illinois," (2016)
  • Michael L. Gonring Pro Bono Partner of the Year Award (2015)
  • James P. Lykes African-American Male Image Award (2015)
  • Leading Lawyers, "Emerging Lawyer" (2015)
  • "Young Lawyer of the Year" Illinois State Bar Association (2012)
  • "Nation's Best Advocates: 40 Lawyers Under 40" National Bar Association (2011)
  • "Men of Excellence" Award, Chicago Defender (2011)
  • Public Interest Convocation Award", Loyola University Chicago School of Law (2010)
  • Illinois Super Lawyers®, Business Litigation, 2014–present
  • Illinois Super Lawyers®– Rising Stars, Business Litigation, 2009–2013
  • "40 Illinois Attorneys under 40 to Watch," Law Bulletin Publishing Company, Chicago Lawyer Magazine and The Chicago Daily Law Bulletin (2008)
  • "Maurice Weigle Exceptional Young Lawyer Award," Chicago Bar Association (2006)
  • "National Pro Bono Associate Award," DLA Piper Rudnick Gray Cary, US LLP (2006)
  • "Chicago Office Pro Bono Associate of the Year," DLA Piper Rudnick Gray Cary, US LLP (2005)
  • "Distinguished Service Award," Chicago Volunteer Legal Service Foundation (2004)
  • "National Pro Bono Associate Award," Piper Rudnick, LLP (2003)

Professional & Civic Activities

  • Quarles & Brady National Diversity Committee
  • American Bar Foundation, fellow
  • The Economic Club of Chicago, member
  • Chicago United, member
  • Leadership Council on Legal Diversity, fellow
  • Brown University Club of Chicago, member
  • Quarles & Brady National Diversity Committee
  • Art Institute of Chicago, co-chair, leadership advisory council; ex-officio member of board of trustees
  • Museum of Science and Industry, vice chair and member of the President's Council
  • Boy Scouts of America, Inc., Northeast Illinois Council (NEIC), general counsel
  • Chicago Child Care Society, board member
  • Delta Research and Education Fund, board of directors
  • Illinois Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Committee, hearing officer
  • Iona Calhoun School of Classical Ballet, Inc., board member
  • The Chicago Sinfonietta, former board member
  • HealthConnect One, Inc., former board member
  • Chinatown Legal Clinic, former clinic co-chairman
  • Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., member, Chicago Alumni Chapter
  • Chicago Bar Association, former chairman of committee on Racial and Ethnic Diversity
  • The Chicago Bar Foundation, former member of the Young Professionals board
  • Chicago Volunteer Legal Services, Inc., former board member and clinic chairman
  • National Bar Association, member
  • Illinois State Bar Association, member
  • New York State Bar Association, member
  • Chicago Committee on Minorities In Large Law Firms, former associate's committee member
  • Asian Legal Services Clinic, former clinic chairman
  • International Association of Privacy Professionals, member
  • ISBA Commercial Banking, Collections & Bankruptcy Law Council, member (2015-2016)

Commitment to Pro Bono

Steven has a long-standing commitment to giving back to his community and those in need by providing pro bono legal services. In this video, he offers perspective on what it’s like to know you’re making a real difference in someone’s life.

Published Cases

  • Corus Bank, N.A. v. Eduard De Guardiola, 593 F.Supp.2d 991 (December 17, 2008)

News & Insights

Education

  • Northwestern University, Kellogg School of Management, Certificate, Quarles & Brady Leadership Program (2018)
  • Georgetown Law School (J.D., 2002)
    • Barrister's Council, Trial Division Chairman
    • American College of Trial Lawyers "Excellence in Trial Advocacy" Award (2001–2002)
    • National Black Law Students Association (National Attorney General)
  • Brown University (A.B., 1999)
    • Majors: Political Science & Economics
    • AMTA Mock Trial Team Chairman
    • AMTA Eastern Regional Mock Trial Tournament (Best Advocate, 1999)

Bar Admissions

  • England
  • Illinois
  • New York
  • Wales

Court Admissions

  • U.S. District Court, Western District of Michigan, 2015
  • New York State Court, 2011
  • U.S. District Court, Central District of Illinois, 2004
  • Illinois State Court, 2002
  • U.S. District Court, Northern District of Illinois, 2002
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