Stephen has tried to jury verdict a wide range of tort cases including employment discrimination, civil rights, road and building construction, automobile and trucking accidents and many types of workplace injuries. He has developed a particular expertise in public sector liability, employment discrimination, construction and products liability, and also handles insurance coverage disputes arising out of CGL and personal lines policies.

Stephen represents employers, including school districts, superintendents, teachers and school boards in federal court litigation involving age, sex, race and national origin, retaliation claims under Section 1983, and claims brought under Title VII, FMLA, ADA, ADEA, IDEA, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, the Illinois Whistleblower Act, the Illinois Freedom of Information Act, RICO and Illinois contract and tort law.

In the public sector area, Stephen represents police and fire departments and school districts throughout Illinois in Section 1983 claims such as excessive force, hot pursuits, class actions involving bond procedures, First Amendment violations, substantive and procedural due process claims and discrimination in hiring and promotion.

In the insurance coverage area, Stephen has litigated at the trial and appellate level a range of coverage disputes arising out of both personal lines and CGL policies. He has consulted with insurers, self-insureds and third-party administrators in the areas of claims handling, policy interpretation, risk management and contract drafting.