Rob Steiner is the managing partner of the firm’s New York office. He focuses his practice on commercial litigation matters, including class actions.
Mr. Steiner’s clients include domestic and international companies for whom he has litigated. He handles disputes involving claims of breach of contract, fraud, securities violations, unfair competition and theft of trade secrets, among other areas. Mr. Steiner also has represented and advised popular entertainers in claims arising out of non-payment of tour cancellation coverage. He has appeared in numerous federal and state courts throughout the United States.
Representative Experience
Co-trial counsel in the defense of a multimillion-dollar claim arising out of a joint venture for the development of a call center facility in India. Obtained an arbitration award dismissing all claims brought against our client and an award of damages and attorneys’ fees on our counterclaim.
Co-trial counsel for a major chemical company in a fraud, unfair competition and breach of contract case arising out of the purchase of a company. Obtained a multimillion-dollar jury verdict in the action and successfully prosecuted a contempt application against the defendant.
Lead counsel for a manufacturing company in a theft of trade secret matter against a former employee and his competing company. After successfully defeating summary judgment, obtained a judgment of more than $30 million in favor of our client.
Lead counsel in the defense of a financial services company, its president and one of its employees accused of stealing a competitor’s trade secrets and interfering with the competitor’s present and prospective business relationships. Successfully obtained pre-discovery dismissal of the trade secret claims and the claims against our client’s president. Following extensive discovery, the Court granted our clients’ summary judgment motion and dismissed the remaining claims in their entirety.
Lead counsel for a national testing laboratory named as a defendant in a class action lawsuit that alleged negligence and consumer fraud. The court dismissed the matter on our pre-discovery motion.
Obtained a multi-million dollar settlement and additional relief on behalf of a company arising out of the company's purchase of a business which included the seller's agreement to certain restrictive covenants as part of the sale. The matter settled just prior to a preliminary injunction hearing.
Counsel for one of the world’s largest financial institutions in its defense of a class action securities claim arising out of our client’s role as an underwriter of an initial public offering. The matter settled on terms favorable to our client.
Defended a national testing laboratory against allegations that the lab was negligent in reporting a drug test result to the plaintiff’s employer. The court dismissed plaintiff’s claims on our summary judgment motion.
Defended a national testing laboratory and its employee against allegations that the employee violated various restrictive covenants with his former employer, including a non-compete agreement. The court denied the plaintiff's request for a preliminary injunction, and the case was dismissed with prejudice.
Successfully defended a major financial institution in a National Association of Securities Dealers (NASD) arbitration brought by a claimant who sought more than $100 million in alleged damages.
Defended a breach of contract claim against a French publishing company for its alleged failure to purchase handheld electronic devices from a U.S. manufacturer. The case settled for a small fraction of the amount claimed.
Prosecuted an appeal for a multinational banking institution, which resulted in the appellate court overturning a trial court's denial of a motion to dismiss a letter of credit dispute.
Acted as counsel for a consumer products company in a lawsuit brought by a competitor arising out of our client's hiring of a former executive of the competitor. The plaintiff's demand for injunctive relief was denied, and the case was dismissed.
Represented a major supplier of aviation fuel in a dispute with a commercial airline. Obtained summary judgment on behalf of the supplier in the full amount of its claim.
Acted as counsel for an industrial chemical manufacturer in the prosecution of a breach of contract and unfair trade practices act claim arising out of our client's purchase of a power generation facility.
Defeated a class certification motion relating to the closing of a division of a Fortune 500 company.
Represented a famous female vocal artist in a lawsuit against eight international insurance companies to recover nearly $10 million in damages for their refusal to pay for losses sustained when a portion of her tour was cancelled.
Prior to filing suit, favorably settled an insurance coverage dispute on behalf of a multi-Grammy award winning artist arising out of the cancellation of a portion of the artist's tour.
Honors & Awards
Recommended in US Legal 500 for his work in the Insurance: Advice to Policyholders area, 2011.
Listed in New York "Super Lawyers," 2010.
