Chad J. Stepan

Chad Stepan serves as Chair of the firm’s Catastrophic Loss Practice Group. Chad focuses his practice on complex civil litigation, including fires, explosions, structural failures, mechanical failures, product failures and other catastrophic losses and construction-related incidents across the United States. He has handled numerous multi-million dollar claims, including major industrial explosions and fires, and construction and design matters. Chad investigates these incidents and provides defense and recovery representation. This work includes providing professional liability defense for architects, engineers, and other design professionals, as well as defense for contractors, subcontractors, product manufacturers, owners and operators.

Chad is also an instructor and speaker on topics that concern his practice. Chad is an Adjunct Instructor at the ATF’s National Center for Explosives Training and Research and the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center where he presents courses on evidence issues (spoliation), convergence of science and law (process engineering), courtroom testimony and techniques, depositions, and regulatory matters (OSHA and Chemical Safety Board). The courses also involve instruction of moot court trials.

In addition, Chad serves as an Adjunct Instructor at the National Fire Academy in Emmitsburg, Maryland where he presents a course on spoliation and changes to NFPA 921, and a course on origin and cause investigation and courtroom testimony and techniques. The courtroom techniques course involves instruction of moot court trials with a focus on expert witnesses and trial examination.

Chad is General Counsel for the International Association of Arson Investigators (IAAI). He is also a guest lecturer for state chapters of the IAAI and at the IAAI International Training Conference.

Chad has also made a number of presentations to design professionals and others in the construction industry.

Outside the office, Chad enjoys spending time with his family, traveling, and keeping a close eye on Minnesota sports teams.

Accolades

•Selected for inclusion in The Best Lawyers of America in the area of Litigation - Insurance, 2025, 2026
•International Association of Arson Investigators (IAAI) President's Award
•Recognized as a Rising Star, 2004, 2006, 2007, 2011

Professional Certifications & Special Training

•Certified in Propane (CETP)
•Proboard Certified Hazardous Materials Technician (29CFR 1910.120(q))
•Certified in Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response Standard (HAZWOPER)
•NAFI Certified Fire and Explosion Investigator (CFEI)
•“Fire Pattern Persistence in the Presence of Positive Pressure Ventilation (PPV)”, In Conjunction with the UL Firefighter Safety Research Institute’s Study of the Effectiveness of Fire Service PPV, Northbrook, Illinois, January 2015

News

•Aug 21, 2025
Meagher + Geer congratulates its 23 attorneys recognized by Best Lawyers in 2026
•Aug 15, 2024
Meagher + Geer congratulates its 25 attorneys recognized by Best Lawyers
•Sep 10, 2014
Stepan, Iverson and Bridges on Faculty of the 31st Annual Fire Investigation Training Conference

Events

•Apr 24, 2019
Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, & Explosives (ATF) Arson for Prosecutors Course What to Expect from the Defense, presented by Meagher & Geer attorney Chad Stepan
•Oct
16 - 22,
2018

Chad Stepan to speak at the ATF/IAAI sponsored program on 'Complex Fire Investigations for the Insurance Industry'
•Nov
16 - 17,
2017

The Convergence of Science and Law and Mock Trial Testimony Courses