Practice Areas

Consumer Class Action Litigation

Steven Berk has represented numerous nationwide and state classes of consumers, totaling in the millions of individuals, in over 25 matters.  Those represented have been harmed by unfair, fraudulent, or anticompetitive practices.  The firm is currently litigating several class action cases on behalf of consumers challenging unfair competition, fraudulent business practices, unlawful contract terms, and deceptive practices.  Steven Berk’s experience handling complex litigation at a large law firm that often represents defendants and his years as a federal prosecutor makes us uniquely qualified to achieve the best results for our clients by navigating the pitfalls involved in consumer protection litigation.

Business to Business Litigation

We represent businesses, associations and individuals in commercial disputes.  Steven Berk has years of experience, including at a large national law firm, litigating complex trial matters in areas ranging from antitrust and First Amendment to insurance coverage, securities fraud and breach of contract.  We know how to successfully litigate substantial commercial matters in a cost-effective and efficient manner.  Our focus is obtaining favorable results for our clients, not billing hours, and we will consider alternative billing arrangements in appropriate cases.  Although we have successfully tried cases and argued appeals, we also recognize that a speedy and favorable resolution is almost always preferable to protracted litigation, and we have experience negotiating settlement agreements and consent orders to achieve our clients’ objectives.

Qui Tam False Claims Acts (“Whistleblowers”)

Qui Tam cases allow individuals, sometimes referred to as “whistleblowers,” to bring lawsuits against businesses that are defrauding taxpayers.  This type of action was created by Congress during the Civil War, after military suppliers provided defective equipment to the Union soldiers. 31 U.S.C. § 3729.  As a result, Congress empowered anyone who was aware of such conduct to bring an action qui tam pro domino rege quam pro sic ipso in hoc parte sequitier —
“who for the king as well as for himself sues in this matter” — on behalf of the government against the wrongdoer.

Qui Tam lawsuits are brought on behalf of the state or federal government, and are usually brought under the state or federal False Claims Act.  Steven Berk’s experience with the federal government as a former federal prosecutor allows him to work with government attorneys to litigate Qui Tam lawsuits.
If you are aware of fraud against the government, you may contact us to explore your legal rights.

Investment Fraud and Stockbroker Misconduct

We represent individual and institutional investors in stockbroker misconduct and investment fraud cases.  We are dedicated to helping investors recover investment losses caused by negligence, incompetence, fraud, or dishonesty of stockbrokers and brokerage firms.  Among other things, we are equipped and experienced to handle cases involving unsuitable investments, over-concentrated stock or bond holdings, fraud, misrepresentation, self-dealing, and unauthorized trades or other wrongful acts, whether intentional or negligent.  We seek to level the playing field by bringing our expertise to the side that has been wronged.

Mass Torts/Environmental Litigation

Each year defective drugs and/or medical devices injure thousands of people.  In order to prevent these defective products from reaching the public, the FDA has established specific protocols and regulations that are placed on the manufacturers.  When a company fails to properly investigate their product or fails to report any problems or side effects, they put the health of their customers at risk and violate the law.

Injuries sustained from using defective drugs or medial devices cannot only cause physical injury, but also financial hardship.  Our attorneys have extensive experience in identifying and pursuing claims for our clients who have been affected by these products and drugs.

If you believe you have been injured by exposure to a toxic chemical or other substance, a defective medical device or a pharmaceutical drug, please contact us.

White Collar Criminal Defense and Internal Investigations

As a federal prosecutor and later as a partner in one of the nation’s leading law firms, Steven Berk developed a significant experience in corporate criminal investigations relating to a wide range of allegations such as securities fraud, procurement fraud, accounting fraud, foreign corrupt practices, antitrust violations, tax fraud, bribery, price manipulation, bank fraud and money laundering.

He has both prosecuted and defended Fortune 500 companies, smaller private enterprises and individuals who were the subject, target or witness of a criminal investigation.  Steven has vast experience investigating the facts thoroughly and promptly with a goal of providing solid answers and strategies in a cost-effective manner.  Steven has handled every phase of a government investigation with discretion and the utmost skill, including relations with the government, with witnesses, and with issues of publicity and public disclosures.