Stephen W. Elliott
Member
Steve is a trial attorney with more than 27 years of experience representing businesses, manufacturers, insurers, and individuals in complex, high-stakes litigation throughout the United States for both insurers in the U.S. and overseas. His practice focuses primarily on products liability defense, catastrophic personal injury and wrongful death litigation, commercial disputes, toxic tort and environmental claims, and class action defense.
As first-chair trial counsel, he has tried more than 80 jury cases to verdict, compiling an overall trial record of 82 wins and two losses. He has also successfully argued nine cases before the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit. His substantial trial and appellate experience provides clients with the benefit of an attorney who understands not only how to develop and defend complex cases, but also how to present them effectively to judges and juries.
Steve regularly represents domestic and international manufacturers, distributors, retailers, and other corporate defendants in litigation involving allegedly defective products, serious bodily injuries, fatalities, and significant property damage. His experience encompasses complex questions of product design, manufacturing defects, warnings, causation, scientific and technical evidence, and the testimony of engineering, medical, and other expert witnesses.
In addition to his products liability practice, Steve has extensive experience defending catastrophic injury and wrongful death claims, complex commercial disputes, environmental and toxic tort litigation, and class actions. He has handled matters involving substantial financial exposure, significant business interests, and challenging factual, medical, scientific and legal issues. His approach emphasizes early and aggressive case evaluation, careful development of the factual and expert evidence, and the formulation of litigation strategies tailored to each client’s objectives.
Although based in Tennessee, Steve maintains a nationwide litigation practice. He has represented clients in state and federal courts throughout Tennessee and has been admitted pro hac vice in courts across the country, including California, Arizona, Texas, Maryland, Florida, Georgia, Missouri, Alaska, Kentucky, South Carolina, Mississippi, Nebraska, Minnesota, Louisiana, New Jersey, New York, Indiana, Arkansas, Indiana, and Illinois. His experience working with local counsel, corporate representatives, insurers, and technical experts in multiple jurisdictions allows him to coordinate the defense of complex litigation efficiently and effectively.
Steve’s litigation philosophy is grounded in the belief that successful representation requires both thorough aggressive preparation, zealous advocacy for his clients, and a willingness to try cases when necessary. He works closely with clients to identify the issues that matter most, assess potential exposure, develop practical defense strategies, and pursue favorable resolutions. When a case cannot be resolved on acceptable terms, his extensive jury trial experience provides clients with seasoned representation in the courtroom.
Steve began his practice with Howell & Fisher, PLLC, in Nashville, Tennessee, in March 2000. He earned his Juris Doctor from Cumberland School of Law at Samford University in 1999. While attending law school, he participated in moot court and mock trial competitions and cultivated his interest in Complex Litigation when he enrolled in the course taught by U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Alabama, Frank Donaldson, in which he received the Highest Grade Award. He received his Bachelor of Science in Public Administration, magna cum laude, from David Lipscomb University in Nashville in 1996.
Steve is a member of the Tennessee Bar Association, Nashville Bar Association, and Defense Research Institute (DRI), including its Products Liability and Trial and Litigation Skills Committees.
Practice Areas
- Products Liability Defense
- Catastrophic Personal Injury and Wrongful Death Defense
- Complex Commercial Litigation
- Class Action Defense
- Toxic Tort and Environmental Litigation
- High-Exposure Civil Litigation
- Trial and Appellate Litigation
Bar and Court Admissions
Steve is admitted to practice in all Tennessee state courts, the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit, and the United States District Courts for the Eastern, Middle, and Western Districts of Tennessee. He has also been admitted pro hac vice in numerous state and federal courts throughout the United States.
Education
Cumberland School of Law, Samford University
Juris Doctor, 1999
David Lipscomb University
Bachelor of Science, Public Administration, magna cum laude, 1996
Professional Affiliations
- Tennessee Bar Association — Torts and Insurance Practice Committee
- Nashville Bar Association
- Defense Research Institute (DRI) — Products Liability and Trial and Litigation Skills Committees
Personal
Steve splits his time between Nashville, TN and Knoxville, TN. When not practicing law, he spends his time on the sidelines at various soccer matches and softball games across the Southeast.