Stephen M. Caine

Stephen M. Caine: Attorney with Wood, Smith, Henning & Berman LLP

Biography

An experienced attorney of over 30 years, Stephen Caine’s practice focuses on the representation of clients in appellate and trial courts primarily in the defense of professional liability claims. He defends architects, engineers, attorneys, accountants, doctors, nurses, and other licensed professionals in commercial and corporate litigation, homeowners’ association liability, civil RICO claims, insurance “bad faith” actions, toxic exposure claims including asbestos litigation and California’s “Prop. 65,” and general liability tort claims.

He has been certified as a specialist in appellate law by the California State Bar Board of Legal Specialization since 2002. Steve has researched and authored over 125 appellate briefs in the California Court of Appeal, California Supreme Court, and United States Court of Appeal.

Newsroom

News

•Trial Attorney Stephen Caine Joins WSHB
Firm News, 7.19.22

Publications

•Understanding Appellate Fee Awards in California Discovery After Baer v. Tedder
Case Updates, 12.12.25
•Attorneys Duty to Notify Opposing Party of Intent to Seek a Default
Case Updates, 10.31.22

In the News

•Court of Appeal Affirms New Trial Based on Pervasive Attorney Conduct, WSHB Team Sets the Standard
•Understanding Appellate Fee Awards in California Discovery After Baer v. Tedder
•WSHB's Epic Win: Appellate Victory in Contentious Litigation
•Attorneys Duty to Notify Opposing Party of Intent to Seek a Default

(Certified Specialist, Appellate Law, The State Bar of California Board of Legal Specialization)

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Areas of Practice (4)

  • Appellate
  • Legal Malpractice
  • Medical Malpractice and Healthcare Law
  • Professional Liability

Education & Credentials

University Attended:
Indiana University, B.S., 1982
Law School Attended:
Pepperdine University School of Law, J.D., 1985
Year of First Admission:
1985
Admission:
1985, California; United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit; United States District Court for the Central District of California; United States District Court for the Eastern District of California; United States District Court for the Southern District of California; United States District Court for the Northern District of California
Memberships:
Los Angeles County and American Bar Associations; Association of Southern California Defense Counsel.
Reported Cases:
Experience: Cassel v. Superior Court (2013) 51 Cal.4th 113: Successfully obtained reversal of adverse rulings by the trial court and Court of Appeal regarding the admissibility of mediation communications offered in professional liability action. The California Supreme Court rules that California's mediation confidentiality statutes are to be applied broadly, and that all mediation communications are inadmissible and not subject to discovery.; Baudino v. SCI California Funeral Services, Inc. (2008) 169 Cal.App.4th 773: Obtained summary judgment for commercial client against allegations of fraud, unfair business practices, and violation of federal pricing and consumer notice guidelines (16 Code Fed. Reg. 453.1 - 453.9), and obtained affirmance of the summary judgment on appeal.; Brutocao v. The Hunt Club Community Assoc. (G037266) 2008 Cal. App. Unpub. LEXIS 1717: Defended homeowners' association against claims of fraud and breach of fiduciary duties established in homeowners' association CCRs when homeowner alleged he was treated unequally in Board's decision regarding design of common area amenities.; Furla v. Jon Douglas Co. (1998) 65 Cal.App.4th 1069: Defended real estate agent in dispute over erroneous appraisal and claimed misrepresentations arising from inconsistent standards for measuring the square footage of houses under California law. Incomplete release language in a form real estate purchase contract creates liability for misrepresentations by real estate professionals during sale negotiations that would normally be barred in a properly drafted contract.; Court of Appeal Affirms New Trial Based on Pervasive Attorney Conduct, WSHB Team Sets the Standard; 12.15.25; WSHB's Epic Win: Appellate Victory in Contentious Litigation; 4.11.23
Certifications:
Certified Specialist, Appellate Law, The State Bar of California Board of Legal Specialization
ISLN:
908605451

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www.wshblaw.com/attorney/stephen-m-caine

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