Steve Berman

Managing Partner
Seattle Office

Mr. Berman co-founded Hagens Berman in 1993 and is the firm’s managing partner. He leads the firm’s whistleblower practice, and has represented a number of relators under the False Claims Act. Widely considered one of the most successful attorneys in the country, Mr. Berman also represents consumers, investors, and employees in large, complex litigation in state and federal courts.

In the 1990s, Mr. Berman worked with a whistleblower, former Brown & Williamson executive Jeffrey Wigand, who helped expose Big Tobacco’s knowledge of the dangers of cigarettes. The disclosure of Mr. Wigand’s information ultimately helped lead to a $206 billion settlement on behalf of plaintiffs in 13 states.

Today Hagens Berman represents whistleblowers under a number of statutes, including the federal and state False Claims Acts and programs administered by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), the Commodities Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).

Notable Cases:

• 1998 Big Tobacco Litigation
  $206 billion multi-state settlement, the largest recovery in litigation history.
• Charles Schwab Yieldplus Funds Litigation
  Won a $235 million settlement, and won the appeal when CS attempted to renege on said settlement.
• Enron Pension Protection Litigation
• Rio Tinto Litigation
  Ongoing environmental case.
• Toyota SUA Litigation
  Ongoing litigation on behalf of Toyota owners.

Professional Recognition/Awards:

• Appointed as Special Assistant Attorney General in tobacco litigation, representing 13 states.
• Voted one of the 100 most powerful attorneys in America by The National Law Journal.