Steven N. Herman represents clients in complex civil litigation, criminal investigations and prosecutions, and securities enforcement actions.

Steve focuses on client goals and the best way to achieve them, approaching issues with creativity and attention to detail. As a litigator, he prides himself on his preparation and unrelenting advocacy on behalf of his clients.

As co-lead of the firm’s award-winning Pro Bono Program, Steve not only maintains an active pro bono practice, but also identifies opportunities for the firm’s attorneys to advocate on behalf of those without the means to hire legal counsel, coordinates with legal services organizations, and supports the firm’s engagement in local communities.

Before joining Zuckerman Spaeder, he served as a law clerk to Judge Paul S. Diamond of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.

Practice Focus

Education
  • Stanford Law School, J.D., with distinction, 2007
    • Senior Editor, Stanford Law and Policy Review
  • Tulane University, B.A., cum laude, 2004
    • Phi Beta Kappa

Bar Admissions
  • District of Columbia
  • Pennsylvania

Court Admissions
  • U.S. District Court, District of Columbia

Clerkships
  • U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Pennsylvania
    • Hon. Paul S. Diamond

Experience
  • Represents a national pharmacy chain in defense of thousands of suits by state and local governments to recover costs alleged to have been caused by the shipment and dispensing of prescription opioids.
  • Obtained an acquittal of all felony charges following a six-week jury trial on behalf of the former CEO of an energy company related to alleged securities fraud and other criminal violations.
  • Obtained full exoneration for the former chief of the Public Integrity Section of the U.S. Department of Justice in independent counsel and internal investigations of prosecutorial misconduct related to the prosecution of the late Sen. Ted Stevens.
  • Obtained a $5.3 million verdict for the former CEO of an online banking company. Following an 11-day trial, the jury found that the CEO’s former employer breached its contractual obligations to our client. The case was recognized by Virginia Lawyers Weekly as one of “Virginia’s Largest Verdicts of 2011.”
  • Tried an SEC enforcement action before an Administrative Law Judge who recommended that no sanctions be brought against our client, a compliance employee at a national brokerage firm. The case involved accusations that our client aided and abetted violations of various record keeping provisions of the federal securities laws. Although the SEC Division of Enforcement sought the permanent debarment of our client from the securities industry, and substantial financial penalties, no sanctions were imposed.
  • Obtained a settlement on behalf of the former chief financial officer of Canada’s then-largest pharmaceutical company in a civil enforcement action brought by the SEC alleging failure to meet the requirements of U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) and making misleading statements in quarterly earnings. The case settled the day before trial was scheduled to commence.
  • Obtained a ruling from the court fully exonerating our client following an ERISA bench trial.
  • Obtained favorable resolutions representing individuals in campus misconduct cases.

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Recognitions