Steven Gursten

About Steven Gursten, Auto Accident Attorney

Steven Gursten of Michigan Auto Law has been selected a Michigan Lawyer of the Year and has been voted consistently among the top 50 attorneys in Michigan (out of over 65,000 lawyers) by Super Lawyers.

Steven Gursten is the current President of the American Association for Justice (AAJ) Distracted Driving Litigation Group. He is a past-President of the Belli Society, the AAJ Traumatic Brain Injury Litigation Group, the AAJ Truck Accident Litigation Group, and the Motor Vehicle Trial Lawyers Association. He has also been selected annually since 2018 as a JD Supra Readers’ Choice Award winner – Top Author in the Insurance category for his writing on Michigan’s auto No-Fault laws and insurance litigation. Steven Gursten speaks throughout the country every year, teaching lawyers on such subjects as trial advocacy, traumatic brain injury, truck accident litigation, and on maximizing auto accident settlements.

Auto accident attorney Steven Gursten of Michigan Auto Law has recovered the largest ever auto and truck accident settlement of any Michigan lawyer or law firm. He has also received the top reported auto accident and truck accident settlements and jury verdicts in Michigan over multiple years, according to Michigan Lawyers Weekly and Verdict Reporter.

Client Testimonials

After interviewing four different lawyers, Steven Gursten of Michigan Auto Law stood out amongst them as the guy to go to for several reasons.

My husband was killed in an automobile accident involving a gravel hauler truck on the freeway. The left front steer tire of the gravel hauler blew on I-75 near the Rouge River bridge, and the truck hit my husband’s car, trapping him between the retaining wall and the gravel hauler.

It became apparent that I needed to seek out an attorney. After interviewing four different lawyers, Steven Gursten of Michigan Auto Law stood out amongst them as the guy to go to for several reasons. There was a genuine nature about Steve. He was exceptionally easy to talk with and an incredible listener. Of course his knowledge and the know how to get the job done was apparent. He treated me with a real sense of kindness as an individual and not a potential case.

Steve settled my husband’s case out of court so I didn’t have to go through a trial. Throughout the whole process, Steve went above and beyond my expectations in terms of his hard work to uncover the truths of the matter and all of the things the trucking company did that were unsafe and contributed to the accident.

Steve treated me with a lot of respect. He responded to my questions and phone calls very promptly. I never felt like he was in a hurry to get me off the phone. He listened to everything I had to say all the time. In terms of when I had to give my deposition, he prepared me and was next to me every step of the way. That was also the case when I had to go to court before the judge for the settlement. It made me feel very safe. Steve gave me confidence and the strength to get up there and do what I had to do. He did so much research and he explored every possible avenue to get me the best settlement possible. He worked very hard for me.

Along the way, he kept me informed of the status of everything. I would say if anybody is involved in an automobile accident involving trucks or other commercial vehicles, to not hesitate to contact Steve. You will not be let down. If you’ve done your homework and investigated attorneys, Steve is the obvious right choice. I walked out of his office knowing it was a no-brainer decision to go with him. It was the right thing to do for my family, in the wake of such a terrible accident and traumatic time in our lives. I felt it in my heart, and I was right. Another thing I would like to note is that even after the case was closed, Steve is still here for me with advice and all the time I need.

Honors and Awards

• Hall of Fame Award – American Association for Justice Trucking Litigation Group
• Lawyer of the Year, Michigan Lawyers Weekly
• Lawyer of the Year, Best Lawyers listing
• Best Lawyers in America – annually since 2008, Best Lawyers listing
• Top 10 Attorney Award for the state of Michigan, National Academy of Personal Injury Attorneys
• Top 100 Trial Lawyer, American Trial Lawyers
• America’s Most Honored Lawyers – Top 1% by The American Registry
• Martindale-Hubbell AV-Rating, highest rating for legal ability and ethics
• Michigan Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers listing
• Top 50 Lawyers in the State of Michigan, Super Lawyers
• AVVO Top-Rated Lawyer – Superb Attorney Rating
• Readers’ Choice Award winner – Top Author, JD Supra
• Best Lawyers, Crain’s Detroit Business
• Best Lawyer/Best Law Firm, U.S. News & World Report
• Top Lawyers in Metro Detroit, DBusiness Magazine
• Personal Injury Law Firm of the Year in Michigan, Lawyer Network Annual Awards
• Million Dollar Advocates Forum, member
• Bar Register of Preeminent Lawyers, Martindale-Hubbell
• Leader in the Law, Michigan Lawyers Weekly
• Top 100 Litigation Lawyer, American Society of Legal Advocates
• Lawyer of the Year – Personal Injury, Corporate LiveWire
• American Board of Trial Advocates – “Who’s who of trial lawyers nationwide”
• The Trucking Trial Lawyers Association – Top 10
• Melvin M. Belli Society Mel Award
• Listed as one of the Top 3 Personal Injury Lawyers in Detroit, MI by Three Best Rated®

Memberships and Affiliations

Steven is an active leader in many legal organizations, including:

Melvin M. Belli Society
Past-President
The Melvin M. Belli Society is a legal group of the best injury lawyers in the country that presents hard-hitting, practical seminars featuring lawyers who are experts in the courtroom and discussing innovative trial skills.

American Association for Justice: the nation’s largest association of advocates serving the needs of personal injury victims, with more than 50,000 lawyer members

• President – Distracted Driving Litigation Group, American Association for Justice
• Past-President – Traumatic Brain Injury Litigation Group, American Association for Justice
• Past-President – Trucking Litigation Group, American Association for Justice

State of Michigan Model Civil Jury Instructions
Subcommittee Member
Steven advises on the most effective jury instructions regarding Michigan No-Fault and the auto accident law for the State of Michigan.

Association of Plaintiff Interstate Trucking Lawyers of America
Board of Governors, Representing State of Michigan
The APITLA is a national association of committed truck accident lawyers who have joined to help eliminate unsafe and illegal interstate trucking practices.

Michigan Association for Justice
Automobile Accident No‐Fault Committee, Past Co‐Chair
The Michigan Association for Justice is the state’s largest organization of trial lawyers and consumer advocates representing the needs of injured accident victims.

Sarah Jane Brain Project
Traumatic Brain Injury Legal Committee, Advisor
The Sarah Jane Brain Project is a group of brain injury lawyers, doctors, professors and lawmakers dedicated to preventing and treating pediatric traumatic brain injury.

Motor Vehicle Trial Lawyers Association
Past President
The MVTLA is a professional and trade association of trial attorneys throughout the country who represent injury victims and consumer plaintiffs in claims involving motor vehicle injuries

TAOS Injury Lawyers
Member
The TAOS Injury Lawyers is an invite only group of preeminent trial attorneys from around the nation.

Academy of Truck Accident Attorneys
Board of Regents
The Academy of Truck Accident Attorneys is a national group of renowned plaintiff’s lawyers who are dedicated to helping families affected by serious truck and bus accidents throughout the U.S.

Truck Accident Attorneys Roundtable
Founding member
TAAR is an association of expert truck accident attorneys dedicated to making our roads safer and protecting truck accident victims.

Notable Michigan Personal Injury Cases

Steven Gursten recovers some of the highest reported settlements and jury verdicts every year, including the top-reported auto accident or truck accident jury verdict and the highest auto accident and truck accident settlement in Michigan over multiple years, according to Michigan Lawyers Weekly. Below are some of his notable verdicts and settlements:

John Doe v. A trucking company
Confidential as to parties injuries and insurers
$34 million settlement, truck accident. The defense’s “final offer” before trial was $14 million. The case settled for $34 million in trial.

Jane Doe v. XYZ Company
Confidential as to parties and insurers
$10.5 Million Truck Accident Settlement

Norris v. Atsalis Brothers Painting
Macomb County, Michigan
$9 million settlement, car accident/truck accident. Client had been offered $1 million and told to take it by his previous lawyer before he sought Steve out for a second opinion.

John Doe v. Confidential
Oakland County, Michigan
$7 million wrongful death auto accident settlement – $3 million in personal assets contribution over the insurance policy limits

Estate of John Doe v. Confidential, Out of State Trucking Death Case
Confidential as to parties injuries and insurers
$6.2 million wrongful death truck accident settlement. The defense made a $400,000 “final” offer to previous attorney before he asked me to take over case for trial.

Broeren v. Bates
Macomb County, Michigan
$5.65 million jury verdict on $600,000 offer, auto accident

Fini-Ross v. General Motors Corporation
Oakland County, Michigan
$4.2 million jury verdict on $100,000 defense offer, auto accident

Nunez v. Utica Transit Mix and Supply
Macomb County, Michigan
$3.9 million settlement, truck accident

Barnes v. Cassens Transport Company
Wayne County, Michigan
$3.6 million award on $300,000 defense offer, truck accident

John Doe v. Confidential
Confidential as to parties and insurers
$3.5 million tire off case causing significant TBI

John Doe v. Confidential, Out of State Truck Accident Case
Confidential as to parties, injuries and insurers
$3.5 million settlement, truck accident

Fairley v. Schiber Truck
Jackson County, Michigan
$3.5 million verdict on $1 million defense offer, truck accident

Estate of Michael Shekoski v. Allied Excavation
Macomb County, Michigan
$2.5 million verdict on $250,000 defense offer, wrongful death truck accident

Lloyd v. First Choice Trucking
U.S. District Court, Michigan
$2.5 million jury verdict on $250,000 defense offer, truck accident

Jane Doe and Jayne Doe v. XYZ Company
Confidential as to parties and insurers
$2 Million Truck Accident Settlement

John Doe v. Confidential
Confidential as to parties and insurers
$1.75 Million Truck Accident Settlement

In Re Estate of Jane Doe, deceased
Confidential as to parties and insurers
$1.25 Million Wrongful Death Car Accident Settlement

Clouse v. Hughes
Oakland County, Michigan
$1.1 million jury verdict on $10,000 defense offer, auto accident

Publications

Handling Automobile Accident Cases, West Publications

State Bar of Michigan Negligence Law Section Quarterly

Free books:

How To Repair Your Car Damage

The Attorneys’ Guide to the Best Auto Insurance Companies

Guide to Michigan No-Fault Law

How Much Car Insurance Do I Need?

How to Choose the Right Lawyer

Education

Fordham University School of Law, New York, NY

University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI

• Phi Beta Kappa, highest academic distinction

What the Newspapers Say

Michigan Lawyers Weekly has written several articles about Steven Gursten. Here are some highlights:

“Gursten is clearly doing something right. Perhaps it’s that his firm is the largest in the state specializing in serious car and truck accident cases. Perhaps it’s the fact that he’s willing to take difficult cases to trial and continues to receive spectacular results. Perhaps it’s the fact that he practices law with honesty and integrity. More likely, it’s all of these things.”

“Outstanding in his field. One of Michigan’s foremost experts on No‐Fault litigation.”

In addition, Steve has recently been quoted as an attorney expert in several national publications. Here’s what they had to say about Steve:

“For 20 years, taking on truck companies” — CBS News, April 2016

“… Michigan attorney specializing in severe trucking accident cases” — The Wall Street Journal, October 2016

Visit our news page for more articles featuring Steven and Michigan Auto Law.

Legal Seminars and Presentations

Steven Gursten frequently lectures at legal seminars locally and throughout the country on topics such as trial advocacy, Michigan No-Fault law, traumatic brain injury cases and maximizing settlements for those injured in car and truck accidents.

To date, he has more than 200 professional speaking engagements, including:

Events

• Plenary Speaker, “Winning Auto and Truck Accident Cases and Thriving in Times of AI, Autonomous Vehicles, Consolidation, and Profound Change”; North Dakota Association for Justice Fall Seminar; Bismarck, ND; October 5, 2023
• Speaker, “How to Cross-Examine the Defense Neurologist”; 2023 Traumatic Brain Injury Seminar – Michigan Association for Justice; Novi, MI; September 21, 2023
• Moderator, “Trial Advocacy Seminar”; Michigan Association for Justice; Grand Rapids, MI; June 9, 2023
• Speaker, “10 Lessons I’ve Learned Handling Auto and Trucking Cases: Insights From The Heavy Hitters”; 360 Advocacy’s Auto, Truck, Damages Extravaganza; Las Vegas, NV; June 3-6, 2023
• Speaker, “Top Ten Lessons That I Have Learned in The Last 24 Months in Handling Brain Injury Cases”; Traumatic Brain Injury Seminar 2023 for Connectionology; Nashville, TN; May 7, 2023
• Speaker, “One Way to Maximize Your Client’s Auto Case (That No One is Doing)”; Boardwalk Seminar for New Jersey Association for Justice; Atlantic City, NJ; April 28, 2023
• Co-Speaker, “Settlement Tactics and Strategies in Trucking Cases”; Boardwalk Seminar for New Jersey Association for Justice; Atlantic City, NJ; April 26, 2023
• Speaker, “Trial Techniques Proven to Work”; The Melvin M. Belli Society webinar; National; April 12, 2023
• Speaker, “How To Cross-Examine the Defense Expert in a TBI case”; TBI MED LEGAL Conference; San Diego, CA; March 11, 2023
• Speaker, “Creating a Great Auto Accident Law Firm”; American Association for Justice’s 2023 Winter Convention; Phoenix, AZ; February 5, 2023
• Speaker, “How to Add Millions To Auto Crash Cases By Highlighting Major Value Drivers and Revealing Devastating Hidden Damages”; Indiana Trial Lawyers Association 58th Annual Institute; Indianapolis, IN; November 18, 2022
• Speaker, “Deposing Truck Drivers in Truck Accident Injury Cases”; Strafford Webinars; National ; November 2, 2022
• Speaker, “Settlement tips and strategies in auto cases”; New York State Trial Lawyers Association Auto Accident Litigation Seminar; New York, NY; May 5, 2022 (Temporarily Postponed)
• Speaker, “How to Cross-Examine the Defense Medical Examiner Neurologist in TBI Cases”; Brain Alteration Injury/TBI and How to Maximize Settlements & Verdicts: Igniting the Flame of Innovation & Creativity in Handling Brain Injury Cases; Nashville, TN; May 2, 2022
• Moderator, “Trial Advocacy Seminar”; Michigan Association for Justice; Detroit, MI; April 29, 2022
• Moderator and Speaker, “Major Value Drivers and Devastating Hidden Damages You Can Utilize to Add Millions to Your Auto Crash Cases”; 360 Advocacy’s Auto Crash Litigation 7.0; Las Vegas, NV; April 23-26, 2022.
• Speaker, “Why you want to videotape your defense exam . . . and overcoming obstacles to prevent it”; American Association for Justice’s Traumatic Brain Injury: Essential Skills & Advanced Techniques Seminar; Atlanta, GA; March 25, 2022
• Speaker; “Big Themes in Truck Accident Cases: What works and what resonates with juries – Proving The Truck Collision Case – Part 2”; Michigan Association for Justice SeminarWeb; Hosted from Lansing, MI; February 24, 2022
• Speaker, “What Teen Drivers Need to Know About the Dangers of Texting & Driving”; Berkley High School Guest Presentation; Berkley, MI; December 10, 2021 
• Speaker, “Strategies for Successfully Deposing Truck Drivers in Injury Cases”; Strafford Live National Webinar; Hosted from Atlanta, GA; November 4, 2021
• Speaker, “Tips for trying car accident cases”; Kentucky Justice Association Auto Seminar; Hosted from Louisville, KY; June 2021
• Speaker, “Four Ways to Significantly Increase Your Client’s Recovery . . . that No One Else is Doing”; Michigan Association for Justice National Webinar; hosted from Lansing, MI; May 13, 2021
• Moderator, “Winning at trial in personal injury cases”; Michigan Association for Justice’s Annual Trial Advocacy Seminar; Hosted from Lansing, MI; May 2021
• Speaker, “Maximizing Settlements”; American Association for Justice’s New Lawyers Bootcamp Seminar; Hosted from Washington, D.C.; April 2021
• Speaker, “Using the Rules of Evidence to Win Your Client’s Case at Trial”; New York State Trial Lawyers Association “Evidence to Win 2021” Seminar; Hosted from New York, NY; March 2021
• Speaker/Faculty, “Inside Trucking Litigation: Limited Edition Series”; American Association for Justice Trucking Litigation Group; Hosted from Washington, D.C.; December 2020
• Speaker, “Proving and Winning Distracted Driving”; American Association for Justice/SeminarWeb; Hosted from Washington, D.C.; November 2020
• Speaker, “Evidence of Distracted Driving in Car Crashes: Find it, prove it, and use it to help your client’s case”; Michigan Association for Justice – SeminarWeb; Hosted from Lansing, MI; November 2020
• Speaker, “4 Ways to Double the Value of Your TBI Case”; Maximizing the Value of Your TBI Case: Tips from the Masters – North Carolina Advocates for Justice; Hosted from Raleigh, NC; November 2020
• Speaker, “Deposing Truck Drivers in Injury Cases – Encore Presentation with Live Q & A”; Strafford’s Webinars; National ; October 2020
• Speaker, “Winning Truck Accident Cases”; American Association for Justice Trucking Litigation Group Webinar Series; Hosted from Washington, D.C.; October 2020
• Speaker, “Settlement and negotiation strategies that work for every case”; Utah Association for Justice Annual Conference; Hosted from Salt Lake City, UT; October 2020
• Speaker, “Deposing Truck Drivers in Injury Cases”; Strafford’s Webinars; National; September 2020
• Moderator, “In the Spirit of Mel Belli: Cutting-Edge, New and Innovative Ideas for Your Cases and Your Practice”; First Ever Melvin M. Belli Society Seminar; Atlanta, GA; Postponed due to COVID-19. Reschedule date to be determined.

• Speaker, “Winning TBI Cases Involving Delays in Diagnosis”; Brain Injury Association of America TBI Med Legal Conference 2020; San Diego, CA; Postponed due to COVID-19. Reschedule date to be determined.
• Keynote Speaker, “Ways to add millions to your cases: devastating injuries that lawyers often miss”; Ohio Association for Justice 2020 Annual Convention; Hosted from Columbus, OH; August 2020
• Moderator, “Trial Advocacy Seminar”; Michigan Association for Justice’s 75th Annual Convention; Detroit, MI; July 2020
• Speaker, “4 Ways to Add Millions to Your Cases (That No One Else is Doing)”; Connectionology Webinar; National; July 2020
• Speaker, “Winning Trials”; Tennessee Trial Lawyers Association’s 2020 Annual Convention; Hosted from Nashville, TN; June 2020
• Moderator, “Law Firm Lessons from Covid-19 – What Works, What Didn’t, and What Steps you can Take to Get Insurers to Settle Cases Now”; The Melvin M. Belli Society webinar; National; June 2020
• Speaker, “Demolishing the “They get better” and “Malingering defenses” at trial”; American Association for Justice “Brain Science for the Jury: Mastering the Traumatic Brain Damage Trial” Webinar; National; May 2020
• Moderator, “Social Media – What You Absolutely Need to Know; Playing Offense and Defense to Win Your Case and Protect Your Client with Tad Thomas”; The Melvin M. Belli Society – Webinar; National ; April 2020
• Moderator, “Liens – How to Quash Them, Minimize Them, and Best Protect Your Client Once and For All with Betsy Green”; The Melvin M. Belli Society – Webinar; National ; March 2020
• Speaker, “Representing the Elderly Client with TBI”; North American Brain Injury Society (NABIS) Annual Conference on Brain Injury; New Orleans, LA; February 2020
• Speaker, “The TBI Detective: Solving the Mystery of a Successful Brain Injury Case”; Utah Association for Justice’s 2020 Brain Injury Conference; Sandy, UT; February 2020
• Moderator, “Tips to Avoid Defense Backdooring Hearsay During Cross Examination with Kirk Morgan”; The Melvin M. Belli Society – Webinar; National ; February 2020
• Moderator, “Advanced Case Themes with Mark Mandell”; The Melvin M. Belli Society – Webinar; National ; January 2020
• Speaker, “Mild Traumatic Brain Injury Cases: How to Identify and Prove This to Cynical Adjusters and Skeptical Juries”; Wyoming Trial Lawyers Association Webinar; National; January 2020
• Moderator, “Surveillance: What They Can Do, What They Can’t Do, How to Quash It, and How to Limit It”; The Melvin M. Belli Society – Webinar; National; November 2019
• Speaker, “Winning Car Accident Cases at Trial”; Arizona Association for Justice’s Advanced Trial Advocacy Conference; Tempe, AZ; October 2019
• Speaker, “Advanced Trial Advocacy”; Arizona Association for Justice Conference; Scottsdale, AZ; October 2019
• Speaker, “Arguing Damages for Excess Economic Loss: The Expert’s Perspective on Life Care Plans”; Michigan Association for Justice No-Fault Institute XVI – Navigating the Chaos of a New Law; Novi, MI; October 2019
• Speaker, “Arguing Damages for Excess Economic Loss: The Attorney’s Perspective on the Use of Life Care Plans”; Michigan Association for Justice No-Fault Institute XVI – Navigating the Chaos of a New Law; Novi, MI; October 2019
• Speaker, “Knowing When to say “no” in a Truck Crash Case”; Academy of Truck Accident Attorneys 2019 Annual Symposium; Nashville, TN; September 2019
• Moderator, “Less is More: Trying a Multi-million dollar case in 2 days”; The Melvin M. Belli Society – Webinar; National; September 2019
• Speaker, “Deposing Truck Drivers and Trucking Company Representatives in Injury Cases”; Strafford legal CLE Webinar; National; September 2019
• Moderator & Speaker, “The Gap in Time/Delay in Diagnosis Defense is Not Fatal”; Winning TBI Cases for Adjusters and Juries, Michigan Association for Justice; Novi, MI; September 2019
• Moderator and Speaker, “Traumatic Brain Injury Litigation Track”; American Association for Justice’s 2019 Annual Convention; San Diego, CA; July 2019
• Speaker, “Let your Fitbit do the talking: Proving damages and liability”; 72nd Annual Melvin M. Belli Society Seminar; San Diego, CA; July 2019
• Speaker, “Exposing Deceptive Medical Experts”; New Jersey Association for Justice’s Cross-Examination Seminar; New Brunswick, NJ; June 2019
• Speaker, “Changes in Negligence Law and Liens”; No-Fault Evening Forum, Michigan Association for Justice; Southfield, MI; June 13th, 2019
• Presenter, “Leveraging Demand Letters to Obtain Significant Settlements in Auto Accident Cases”; Strafford Webinars CLE webinar; National; May 2019
• Moderator, “Advocacy Track for Personal Injury Trial Attorneys”; Michigan Association for Justice’s 74th Annual Convention; Detroit, MI; May 2019
• Course advisor, moderator and speaker, “Rebutting defense attacks in the TBI case”; Best of the Best: Mastering the Fundamentals of a TBI case; Las Vegas, NV; April 2019
• Speaker, “Overcoming the Gap in Time/Delay in Diagnosis – These are Not Case Killers/How To Get More Money on the Same Car Wreck Injury Case than Your Competitors”; Auto Crash Litigation 6.0 – 360 Advocacy; Las Vegas, NV; April 2019
• Presenter, “Mild Traumatic Brain Injury In Motor Vehicle Crash Cases: How To Identify And Prove This To Adjusters And Juries”; Michigan Association for Justice webinar; National; March 2019
• Speaker, “Causation and Damages Steps You Must Take During the First 90 Days of the Handling of the Closed Head Injury Case – Remember: Procrastination Will Devour the Case”; Florida Justice Association Workhorse Seminar; Orlando, FL; February 2019
• Speaker, “Mild Traumatic Brain Injury in Motor Vehicle Crash Cases: How to Identify and Prove This to Adjusters and Juries”; American Association for Justice webinar; National; February 2019
• President and Moderator, “Traumatic Brain Injury Convention”; American Association for Justice Traumatic Brain Injury Litigation Group Members Only Seminar 2018; Washington, D.C.; December 1-2, 2018
• Speaker, “Cross-Examining the Uncooperative Defense Expert”; Ohio Association for Justice’s 2018 Winter Convention; Cleveland, OH; October 2018
• Speaker, “Winning Brain Injury Cases”; Nevada Justice Association’s 42nd Annual Convention Seminar 2018; San Diego, CA; October 2018
• Speaker, “Negotiating Claims and Settlements”; Academy of Truck Accident Attorneys – 2018 Annual Symposium; Nashville, Tennessee; September 2018
• Speaker, “Cross-Examination of Medical and Psychological Experts”; 2018 Annual Convention, American Association for Justice; Denver, CO; July 2018
• Speaker, “The Future of Motor Vehicle Litigation”; 2018 Annual Convention, American Association for Justice; Denver, CO; July 2018
• Speaker, “Deposing Truck Drivers and Trucking Company Representatives”; Strafford legal CLE webinar; National; June 2018
• Speaker, “Zichichi v. Mull: Strategies to Save Cases if the Auto Threshold Law Changes Again”; Michigan Association for Justice’s 73rd Annual Convention; Detroit, MI; May 2018
• Speaker, “How to Grow Your Practice”; “Growing Your Firm Using Technology & Old School Methods”; Chicago Bar Association; Chicago, IL; May 2018
• Speaker, “How to conduct an effective cross examination of an expert witness in an auto TBI case”; “Frontiers in Advocacy: Traumatic Brain Injury”; Legal Latitudes; Nashville, TN; May 2018
• Speaker, “Winning traffic collision cases involving autos, trucks and motorcycles”; American Association for Justice Jazz Fest legal seminar; New Orleans, LA; May 2018
• Speaker, “Proving and Winning TBI in Auto Crash Cases”; “Auto Crash Litigation 5.0”; 360 Advocacy; Las Vegas, NV; April 2018
• Speaker, “Winning Injury and Car Accident Cases at Trial”; “A Day with Masters of the Plaintiffs Bar”; Kentucky Justice Association; Louisville, KY; April 2018
• Speaker, “Becoming the Anti-Fragile Trial Lawyer”; Build to Win Conference, 360 Advocacy; Jackson Hole, WY; March 2018
• Speaker, “Leveraging Demand Letters to Obtain Significant Settlements in Auto Accident Cases”; Strafford Webinar Series; National; March 2018
• Keynote Speaker, “Traumatic Brain Injury in Motor Vehicle Crash Cases: How to Identify, Prove and Win at Trial”; Ohio Association for Justice Winter convention; Cleveland, OH; November 2017
• Speaker, “Doing Well by Doing Good”; TAOS Injury Lawyers Annual Legal Seminar; Bar Harbor, ME; October 2017
• Speaker, “Distracted Driving/Legal Issues and Tactics”; Michigan Association for Justice No-Fault Institute XIV; Dearborn, MI; September 2017
• Speaker, “Mild Traumatic Brain Injury in Motor Vehicle Crash Cases — How to Identify and Prove this to Adjusters and Juries”; American Association for Justice Webinar; National; September 2017
• Speaker, “Distracted Driving Accident Claims Involving Smart Phones: Pursuing or Defending Litigation”; Strafford Publications CLE Webinar; National; August 2017
• Speaker, “Maximizing Your Auto Cases”; Motor Vehicle Collision Litigation Group, American Association for Justice Annual Convention; Boston, MA; July 2017
• Speaker, “Deposing Truck Drivers and Trucking Company Representatives in Injury Cases”; Strafford Publications CLE webinar; National; May 2017
• Speaker, “How Do You Achieve a Top Personal Injury Law Firm based upon Result and Happy Clients?”; Vista Legal Consulting Team’s Annual Conference; Chicago, IL; May 2017
• Speaker, “New Frontiers in Damages: How to Increase Case Value and Show the Impact of Hidden Injuries on Your Client’s Life”; Arkansas Trial Lawyers Association Annual Conference; Eureka Springs, AR; Eureka Springs, AR
• Speaker, “Keys to an 8-Figure Trucking Settlement or Trial Verdict”; American Association for Justice Webinar; National ; December 2016
• Speaker, “Cutting Edge Law Firms and Cutting Edge Results”; TAOS Injury Lawyers; Sedona, AZ; October 20116
• Speaker, “Demo: Closing Argument – Asking for the Money”; Academy of Truck Accident Attorneys Annual Symposium; Nashville, TN; September 2016
• Speaker, “Protecting your TBI Client from Defense Tactics”; Tennessee Association for Justice Music City Symposium; Nashville, TN; September 2016
• Speaker, “Better Settlements for Truck Accident Cases”; American Association for Justice 2016 Annual Convention; Los Angeles, CA; July 2016
• Speaker, “Legal Blogging for Business: Ethical and Compassionate Blogging by Real Lawyers”; Injury Board; Clearwater, FL; June 2016
• Speaker, “How to Protect an Auto Accident Victim from an IME”; Brain Injury Association of Michigan Annual Legal Conference; Plymouth, MI; June 2016
• Speaker, “Making Small Auto Accident Cases into Big Auto Accident Cases”; American Association for Justice Jazz Fest; New Orleans, LA; April 2016
• Speaker, “Bulletproofing the TBI Plaintiff from Defense Attacks”; 13th Annual Conference, North American Brain Injury Society (NABIS); Tampa Bay, FL; April 2016
• Moderator, Speaker, “Settlement and Negotiation Strategies in Auto Accident Cases”; Auto Crash Litigation 3.1 Conference, 360 Advocacy; Las Vegas, NV; April 2016
• Speaker, “Proving Damages in Motor Vehicle Cases”; American Association for Justice Webinar; National; March 2016
• Speaker, “Building A Top Auto Law Firm for the 21st Century”; Learning from the Legends, Meadowlands Seminar; New York and New Jersey Trial Lawyers Associations; USA; November 2015
• Speaker, “Settlement Tips and Strategies in Truck Accident Cases”; Settlement Tips and Strategies in Truck Accident Cases; Las Vegas, NV; November 2015
• Speaker, “Proving Negligent Entrustment in Trucking Claims”; Michigan Association for Justice Evening Forum; Southfield, MI; November 2015
• Speaker, “The Mild Brain Injury Car Accident Case”; Michigan Association for Justice Webinar; National; October 2015
• Speaker, “Lessons from a $34 Million Truck Accident Settlement”; Michigan Association for Justice No Fault Institute; Southfield, MI; October 2015
• Speaker, “Teaching Lawyers How to Develop a Cutting-Edge Auto Torts Practice that Separates you from the Competition”; 360 Advocacy Institute; Las Vegas, NV; March 2015
• Speaker, “Maximizing Damages in the Brain Injury Case”; 360 Advocacy Institute; Las Vegas, NV; March 2015
• Speaker, “Is Mild Traumatic Brain Injury from Car Crashes Real?”; American Association for Justice Webinar; National; February 2015
• Speaker, “How to Add $1 Million to your Car Accident Law Practice”; Florida Justice Association; Orlando, FL; February 2015
• Speaker, “Convincing Adjusters and Juries in Mild Traumatic Brain Injury Cases”; Kansas Association for Justice; Kansas City, MO; December 2014
• Speaker, “Developing a Cutting-Edge Injury Practice”; 360 Advocacy Institute; Chicago, IL; September 2014
• Speaker, “Maximizing Brain Injury Cases for Settlement and Trial”; 360 Advocacy Institute; Chicago, IL; September 2014
• Speaker, “Teaching Lawyers How to Win Traumatic Brain Injury Cases at Trial”; Michigan Association for Justice; Southfield, MI; September 2014
• Speaker, “Proving Mild Traumatic Brain Injury to Cynical Adjusters and Juries”; American Association for Justice; Baltimore, MD; July 2014
• Speaker, “Helping Lawyers to Take Auto Accident Settlements to the Next Level”; Chicago Bar Association; Chicago, IL; May 2014
• Speaker, “Helping Young Lawyers Develop a Practice that Helps People and Achieves Great Results”; Ohio Association for Justice; Ohio; May 2014
• Moderator, Keynote Speaker, “Truck Accident Litigation Seminar”; Ohio Association for Justice; Ohio; May 2014
• Speaker, “How to Build, Maintain and Operate a Cutting-Edge Auto Torts Practice”; Connectionology Seminars of America; Columbus, OH; February 2014
• Speaker, “Building the 21st Century Personal Injury Law Firm: Part II”; Florida Justice Association; Orlando, FL; February 2014
• Speaker, “Building the 21st Century Personal Injury Law Firm: Restructuring Your Law Practice to Succeed”; Louisiana Association for Justice; New Orleans, LA; December 2013
• Speaker, “Emerging Trends for Personal Injury Lawyers”; TAOS Trial Attorneys; Sagamore, NY; October 2013
• Speaker, “Jury Bias: Battling the Misperceptions of Tort Reform”; Michigan Association for Justice; Southfield, MI; October 2013
• Speaker, “Maximizing Damages in Truck Wreck Cases”; Michigan Association for Justice; Southfield, MI; September 2013
• Speaker, “How to Win a Truck Accident Case with 5 Truckers on Your Jury”; Melvin M. Belli Society; San Francisco, CA; July 2013
• Speaker, “Hidden Injuries in the Bus, School Bus and Truck Accident Case”; American Association for Justice; San Francisco, CA; July 2013
• Speaker, “How to Maximize Auto Accident Settlements by Building a 21st Century Personal Injury Law Office”; New Jersey Association for Justice; New Jersey; April 2013
• Presenter, “Auto Accident Claims: The Influence of Colossus on Recoveries”; Strafford legal CLE Webinar; National; November 2012
• Speaker and moderator, “Advanced Motor Vehicle Litigation Seminar”; Motor Vehicle Trial Lawyers Association; Las Vegas, NV; November 2012
• Presenter, “Helping Accident Victims: A Fresh Approach for Injury Lawyers”; TAOS Injury Lawyer; Jackson Hole, WY; October 2012
• Speaker, “How Titan Insurance v. Hyten Affects Michigan Auto Accident Victims”; Negligence Law Section of the State Bar of Michigan; Troy, MI; August 2012
• Speaker, “How to Maximize Damages in Truck Accident Lawsuits”; 60 Advocacy Institute; Las Vegas, NV; August 2012
• Moderator, “New Ways to Overcome Jury Bias and Increase Personal Injury Damages”; Michigan Association for Justice; Southfield, MI,; August 2012
• Speaker, “Getting the Highest Car Accident Settlement”; Michigan Association for Justice; Southfield, MI; July 2012
• Speaker, “How to Get the Highest Settlement in Car Accident Cases”; American Association for Justice; New Orleans, LA; May 2012
• Speaker, “Increasing Settlements in Auto Accident Tort Practices”; Florida Justice Association; Orlando, FL; March 2012
• Speaker, “Trucking cases and Client Advocacy”; National Trial Lawyers; Miami, FL; January 2012
• Speaker, “How Truck Accidents are Different from Car Accidents – What Lawyers need to know to achieve top truck accident settlements”; State Bar of Wisconsin; Wisconsin; December 2011
• Speaker, “Darwin and the Evolution of Trial Lawyers – How to Reach and Connect with Today’s Juries”; Taos Trial Attorneys; Martha’s Vineyard; October 2011
• Speaker, “Traumatic Brain Injury Cases: New Legal Strategies/Tactics”; Michigan Association for Justice – No-Fault Institute; Southfield, MI; September 2011
• Speaker, “Exploring the Value of Auto Accident Cases: Novel Ways to Build Damages”; 360 Advocacy Institute – Insurance Settlement Mediation Summit; Las Vegas, NV; September 2011
• Moderator, “Voir Dire Seminar for Personal Injury Attorneys”; Michigan Association for Justice; Redford, MI; August 2011
• Speaker, “How to Successfully Lawyer the Big Truck Accident Case”; American Association For Justice Truck Accident Lawyers Litigation Group; New York, NY; July 2011
• Speaker, “For Personal Injury Lawyers: Niche Specialization in Auto Accident Cases”; Chicago Bar Association; Chicago, IL; May 2011
• Speaker, “Restructuring your Auto Practice for Efficiency”; Personal Injury Litigators Summit; Las Vegas, NV; March 2011
• Lecturer, “How Michigan Accident Attorneys Should Approach Auto Injury Cases After McCormick v. Carrier”; Wayne State University Law School; Detroit, MI; February 2011
• Speaker, “Litigation Tips for Michigan Personal Injury Attorneys After McCormick v. Carrier”; Michigan Association for Justice; Southfield, MI; September 2010
• Speaker, “Representing Injured Clients and Finding Value in Car Accident Claims”; State Bar of Michigan; Grand Rapids, MI; September 2010
• Speaker, “How to Settle Personal Injury Cases for More Money: Five Tips to Maximizing Personal Injury Settlements”; Michigan Association for Justice; Novi, MI; June 2010
• Faculty, “How to Present Opening Statements, Cross Examinations and Closing Arguments in an Auto Case”; Michigan Association for Justice; Southfield, MI; February 2010
• Speaker, “Opening Statements and Cross-Examination of the Defense “Independent” Medical Examiner”; Michigan Association for Justice; Southfield, MI; February 2010
• Speaker, “Commercial Transportation Rules of the Road”; American Association for Justice Interstate Truck Litigation Group; New Orleans, LA; February 2010
• Speaker, “Winning Auto Accident Cases”; The Melvin M. Belli Society; USA; November 2009
• Speaker, “Careers in Personal Injury Law and Trial Law”; University of Detroit Mercy School of Law; Detroit, MI; October 2009
• Speaker, “The Disabling Brain Injury that Most Lawyers Miss”; Michigan Association for Justice; West Bloomfield, MI; August 2009
• Speaker, “Maximizing Damages in Trucking Cases, Missed Opportunities in Protecting Clients”; Association of Plaintiff Interstate Trucking Lawyers of America; USA; August 2009
• Speaker, “Traumatic Brain Injuries in Trucking Cases”; American Association for Justice; San Francisco, CA; July 2009
• Speaker, “Using Fatigue in Car Accident Cases to Recover Economic Damages and Prove Disability”; American Association for Justice; San Francisco, CA; July 2009
• Moderator, faculty and speaker, “Teaching Lawyers How to Handle Truck Accident Cases”; American Association for Justice Interstate Truck Litigation Group; Chicago, IL; October 2008
• Speaker, “Locating and Effectively Dealing with Experts on Direct and Cross Examination in First- and Third-Party Litigation”; Institute of Continuing Legal Education; Plymouth, MI; October 2008
• Speaker, “Maximizing Personal Injury Damages in Trucking Accident Cases”; Association of Interstate Trucking Lawyers of America; Atlanta, GA; October 2008
• Faculty, “Traumatic Brain Injury Law in Michigan”; Michigan Association for Justice; Novi, MI; September 2008
• Speaker, “Fatigue in Traumatic Brain Injury Cases”; American Association for Justice; Philadelphia, PA; July 2008
• Speaker, “Closing Argument in Automobile Accident Case”; Michigan Association for Justice; Southfield, MI; June 2008
• Moderator and faculty, “Litigating Truck Accident Cases”; American Association for Justice; New Orleans, LA; February 2008
• Speaker, “Personal Injury and Insurance Law for Future Lawyers”; Thomas M. Cooley Law School; Lansing, MI; February 2008
• Moderator and faculty, “Litigating Truck Accident Cases”; American Association for Justice; Chicago, IL; 2007
• Speaker, “Litigating Traumatic Brain Injury Cases in Michigan”; Michigan No Fault Institute, Michigan Trial Lawyers Association; Southfield; 2007
• Moderator and faculty, Evidence Seminar, “Preparing for Battle”; Michigan Association for Justice; Novi, MI; 2007
• Speaker, “Dealing with IMEs and DMEs after Michigan Auto Accident Cases”; Institute of Continuing Legal Education; Plymouth, MI; 2007
• Guest professor, “Understanding Serious Impairment of Body Function and Third-Party Tort Litigation”; Thomas M. Cooley Law School; Lansing, MI; 2007
• Speaker, No Fault Institute III, “Lawyers Auto Accident Survival Guide”; Michigan Trial Lawyers Association; Detroit, MI; 2006
• Panel speaker, “Kreiner Forum”; Michigan Trial Lawyers Association; Novi, MI; 2006
• Keynote speaker, “Achieving the Highest Settlements and Jury Verdicts for Car Accidents”; Michigan Trial Lawyers Association; Southfield, MI; 2006
• Speaker, “Winning the Michigan Auto Accident Case:Increasing Settlement Values and Trial Verdicts Through the Plaintiff, Treating Doctors, PME and Defendant’s Own Doctors”; Institute of Continuing Legal Education; Plymouth, MI; 2006
• Speaker, “Careers as a Personal Injury Lawyer in Michigan”; Thomas M. Cooley Law School; Lansing, MI; 2006
• Moderator and faculty, “Litigating Truck Accident Cases”; American Association for Justice; Las Vegas, NV; 2006
• Panel speaker, “American Association for Justice”; Michigan Trial Lawyers Association; Novi, MI; 2006
• Speaker, “Avoiding the Threshold Defense in Car Accident Cases”; Institute for Continuing Legal Education; USA; 2005
• Moderator and panel member, “Handling Truck Accident Cases Successfully”; Association of Trial Lawyers of America; USA; 2005
• Speaker, “Exposing and Debunking Junk Science at Trial”; Michigan Trial Lawyers Association; Michigan; 2005
• Speaker, “Litigation Strategies and Techniques”; Institute of Continuing Legal Education; USA; 2005
• Speaker, “No Fault Institute II”; Michigan Trial Lawyers Association; Michigan; 2005
• Speaker, “Handling Auto Accident Cases Successfully”; Association of Trial Lawyers of America; Toronto, Canada; 2005
• Speaker, “Your Car, Your Rights, Your Ticket to Freedom”; Oakland County Bar Association; Michigan; 2004
• Speaker, “Taking and Defending Effective Depositions in Michigan: the Plaintiff Attorney’s Perspective”; Lorman Legal Education Seminars; Michigan; 2004
• Author, “Point/Counterpoint: What does Serious Impairment of Body Function Really Mean? How the Supreme Court Will Interpret Kreiner v. Fischer”; State Bar of Michigan Negligence Law Section Quarterly; Publication; 2004
• Speaker, “Third-Party Litigation: Practical Issues from the Plaintiff’s Perspective”; Institute of Continuing Legal Education; USA; 2004
• Speaker, “Your Car, Your Rights, Your Ticket to Freedom”; Oakland County Bar Association; Michigan; 2003
• Speaker, “Handling No Fault Trials”; Institute for Continuing Legal Education; USA; 2003
• Speaker, “How to Destroy a Biomechanical Engineer”; No Fault Extravaganza; USA; 2003
• Speaker, “Winning No Fault Trials”; Michigan Trial Lawyers Association; Michigan; 2003
• Moderator, “Evidence Seminar”; Michigan Trial Lawyers Association; Michigan; 2003
• Author, “Handling Automobile Accident Cases in Michigan”; Michigan Lawyer’s Manual; Publication; 2002
• Speaker, “Your Car, Your Rights, Your Ticket to Freedom”; Oakland County Bar Association; Michigan; 2002
• Speaker, “Doubling the Value of Your Auto Negligence Cases”; Michigan Trial Lawyers Association; Michigan; 2002
• Speaker, “Taking and Defending Effective Depositions in Michigan: the Plaintiff Attorney’s Perspective”; Lorman Legal Education Seminars; Michigan; 2002
• Speaker, “New Theories on Damages”; Institute for Continuing Legal Education;; USA; 2002
• Speaker, “Negligence Update”; State Bar of Michigan; Michigan; 2002
• Speaker, “Winning Motions for Summary Disposition on Serious Impairment of Body Function”; No Fault Extravaganza; USA; 2002
• Author, “Making and Opposing Motions for Summary Disposition on Serious Impairment of Body Function”; State Bar of Michigan Negligence Law Section; Michigan; 2001
• Speaker, “Your Car, Your Rights, Your Ticket to Freedom”; Oakland County Bar Association; Michigan; 2001
• Speaker, “Maximizing Damages in Auto Cases”; Michigan Trial Lawyers Association; Michigan; 2001
• Speaker, “Negligence Update”; State Bar of Michigan; Michigan; 2001
• Speaker, “Expanding Damages in Auto and Premises Liability Cases”; Institute for Continuing Legal Education; USA; 2001
• Representative, “n/a”; State Bar of Michigan Assembly; Michigan; 2000-01
• Speaker, “Handling the Low Damage Car Accident Case”; Michigan Trial Lawyers Association; Michigan; 2000
• Speaker, “Your Car, Your Rights, Your Ticket to Freedom”; Oakland County Bar Association; Michigan; 2000
• Speaker, “Negligence Update”; State Bar of Michigan; Michigan; 2000
• Speaker, “Handling Bad Faith Claims Against Insurance Companies”; Allstate seminar; Michigan; 1999
• Speaker, “How to Hammer Allstate”; Michigan Trial Lawyers Association; Michigan; 1999
• Speaker, “Meeting Michigan’s Auto Threshold Law”; Michigan Trial Lawyers Association; Michigan; 1999
• Speaker, “The Masters Series, Closing Arguments”; Michigan Trial Lawyers Association; Michigan; 1999
• Speaker, “Your Car, Your Rights, Your Ticket to Freedom”; Oakland County Bar Association; Michigan; 1999
• Speaker, “Negligence Update”; State Bar of Michigan; Michigan; 1999

Interesting Fact

When he was 28, Steven became the youngest attorney in Michigan history to receive a million-dollar jury verdict. The case was in Oakland County, and the insurance company, Allstate, was only offering $10,000 to settle.

Client Testimonials