Steven Bader is a North Carolina board-certified specialist in appellate practice. He is chair of the firm’s Appellate Law Practice Group, where he has served as lead counsel on more than 100 appeals in state and federal courts.
Steven is a storyteller who crafts arguments that not only persuade but resonate. He distills complex issues into simple arguments supported by the law and the facts. Steven is often hired to assist trial counsel with motions, objections, and issue preservation. Steven has handled landmark North Carolina Supreme Court cases involving arbitration agreements, governmental and public official immunity, and access to law enforcement agency recordings.
Beyond appellate work, Steven maintains an active litigation practice, defending municipalities and businesses in complex matters. His experience spans 42 U.S.C. 1983 claims, professional liability cases, and insurance coverage disputes. Steven has tried more than 15 cases to jury, including multiple trials in North Carolina’s federal courts.
Steven is an active member of the North Carolina Association of Defense Attorneys, where he currently serves on the amicus curiae committee. Steven is also a member of the Federation of Defense and Corporate Counsel (FDCC), an invitation-only defense organization, and the Defense Research Institute (DRI) . Steven maintains an AV Rating from Martindale-Hubbell, and has been named to Business North Carolina Legal Elite, North Carolina Super Lawyers, and The Best Lawyers in America .
Steven is a cum laude graduate of the Gonzaga University School of Law, where he served as articles editor of the Gonzaga Law Review, an associate editor of the Gonzaga Journal of International Law, and a judicial extern at the Washington Court of Appeals. Steven earned his undergraduate degree, magna cum laude, from Saint Cloud State University (Minnesota), where he was captain of the men’s track and field team and a four-time all-North Central Conference and academic all-North Central Conference selection.
Steven and his wife are parents to three young boys and two energetic German Shepherds. When not practicing law (or watching his boys play soccer), Steven enjoys running, reading, history, and cooking.
ARTICLES, PRESENTATIONS, AND PUBLICATIONS
•“Communicable Disease Coverage in the Age of COVID-19,” DRI, For the Defense, Vol. 64, No. 1, January 2022
•“The Last Line of Defense: The ISO Virus Exclusion Meets COVID-19 Business Interruption Suits” (co-author with CSH colleague Jennifer Welch) DRI, For the Defense, Vol. 62, No. 12, December 2020
•“Down on the Farm: Does the Pollution Exclusion Remove Coverage for E. Coli Infections Linked to Petting Zoos” DRI, For the Defense, Vol. 61, No. 7, July 2019
•“Supreme Shift: Lessons the Defense Bar Can Learn from Recent Supreme Court Opinions” Minnesota Defense, Volume 39, Issue 3, Fall 2018
•“Join the Retail and Hospitality Committee” (co-author), Minnesota Defense, Volume 38, Issue 2, Summer 2017
•“Develop Effective Trial Themes from Discovery to Trial” Featured Article, DRI Trials and Tribulations, the Newsletter of the Trial Tactics Committee, Volume 22, Issue 4
•“The Joke is on Your Client: An Analysis of Liability Coverage and Defense for the Creators of Online Parody Accounts” DRI, For the Defense, Vol. 57, No. 4, April 2015
•“Every Dog Has its Day (In Court) - Defending Dog Attack Cases in Minnesota” Minnesota Defense, Volume 35, Issue 1, Spring 2014
•“When the Grass Turns Brown: Prosecuting Marijuana Mixtures in Minnesota” Bench and Bar of Minnesota, Volume LXIX Number 1, January 2012
Accomplishments
•Martindale-Hubbell, AV Rated
•Business North Carolina Legal Elite - Appellate Law (2024 - 2026)
•Selected for inclusion in North Carolina Super Lawyers in the field of Appellate Law (2025 - 2026)
•Selected for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America in the field of Appellate Practice (2025 - 2026)
•Selected for inclusion in North Carolina Rising Stars in the field of Appellate Law (2023)
•Selected for inclusion in North Carolina Rising Stars in the field of Personal Injury Defense (2022)
•Selected for Inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America: Ones to Watch in the field of Appellate Practice (2022-2023); Insurance Law (2023)
•Selected for inclusion in Minnesota Rising Stars (2019)
Most Recent Posts
News
17 Cranfill Sumner LLP Attorneys Named to 2026 North Carolina Super Lawyers and Rising Stars Lists
Cranfill Sumner LLP announced that 17 of its attorneys have been selected for inclusion in the 2026 North Carolina Super Lawyers and 2026 North Carolina Rising Stars lists....
Post
North Carolina Court of Appeals Clarifies Research Exemption Through a Textualist Lens
When it comes to statutory interpretation, punctuation and structure still matter. In US Right to Know v. University of North...
News
Steven Bader Admitted to Federation of Defense and Corporate Counsel
Steven Bader, a Partner at Cranfill Sumner LLP, has been admitted into membership of the prestigious Federation of Defense and Corporate Counsel....
News
Cranfill Sumner LLP Attorneys Listed Among 2026 Legal Elite
Eleven Cranfill Sumner LLP attorneys were recognized by Business North Carolina magazine as part of the magazine’s Legal Elite program....
News
Steven Bader Certified as Appellate Specialist
Steven Bader, a Partner at Cranfill Sumner LLP, has been certified as an Appellate Specialist by the North Carolina State Bar Board of Legal Specialization....
Result
Steven Bader Secures NC Supreme Court Ruling on Law Enforcement Video Release
In State v. Chemuti, the North Carolina Supreme Court held that N.C.G.S. 132-1.4A means what it says - custodial...
News
Steven Bader Discusses Appeals Best Practices at NCADA Conference
Steven Bader served on the “Navigating Procedure in the NC Supreme Court” panel during the 2025 Fall Seminar for Claims Representatives and Defense Counsel through the North Carolina Association of Defense Attorneys. The event was held Oct. 10 in Winston-Salem....
News
33 CSH Law Attorneys Selected for Inclusion in the Best Lawyers in America 2026
Thirty-three attorneys from Cranfill Sumner LLP (CSH Law) were recently selected by their peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America 2026....
News
21 Cranfill Sumner LLP Attorneys Named to 2025 North Carolina Super Lawyers and Rising Stars Lists
Cranfill Sumner LLP announced that 21 of its attorneys have been selected for inclusion in the 2025 North Carolina Super Lawyers and 2025 North Carolina Rising Stars lists....
News
Cranfill Sumner LLP Attorneys Listed Among 2025 Legal Elite
Eleven Cranfill Sumner LLP attorneys were recognized by Business North Carolina magazine as part of the magazine’s Legal Elite program....
News
32 CSH Law Attorneys Selected for Inclusion in the Best Lawyers in America 2025
Thirty-two attorneys from Cranfill Sumner LLP (CSH Law) were recently selected by their peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America 2025....
Result
Bader, Bolick and Worthy Win at North Carolina Supreme Court
In Canteen v. CMCU, the North Carolina Supreme Court ruled that businesses may amend their consumer contracts to require arbitration,...
News
Steven Bader and Jennifer Welch Lead NCADA Webinar
On May 9, Steven Bader and Jennifer Welch presented the “Primer for Defense Attorneys on the Real-World Implications Insurance Has On Clients” webinar for the North Carolina Association of Defense Attorneys (NCADA)....
News
Cranfill Sumner LLP Attorneys Listed Among 2024 Legal Elite
Twelve Cranfill Sumner LLP attorneys were recognized by Business North Carolina magazine as part of the magazine’s Legal Elite program. ...
News
Cranfill Sumner Attorneys Featured in Law360
A case handled by Colleen Shea and Steven Bader was highlighted in a recent Law360 article....
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Our Top 10 Resources of 2023
Throughout the year, Cranfill Sumner LLP’s attorneys work diligently to bring the most up-to-date information on North Carolina legal updates...
News
Steven Bader Presents at NCADA Fall Seminar
Steven Bader, an attorney with Cranfill Sumner LLP, served on a panel discussion at the 2023 Fall Seminar for the North Carolina Association of Defense Attorneys (NCADA) on Oct. 6....
Post
Unveiling Privilege Challenges in Joint Corporate Defense Agreements
Four co-defendants meet with their joint defense counsel to discuss a pending lawsuit. The meeting ends and all participants are...
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Certiorari Crossroads: Navigating Appeals and Dissents in Cryan v. National Council of YMCAs
In Cryan v. National Council of YMCAs of the U.S., the North Carolina Supreme Court gave a refresher on certiorari...
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Appeal with Caution: Lessons from the North Carolina Court of Appeals on Appellate Jurisdiction
There is no such thing as a sure thing. And in three unpublished opinions, the North Court of Appeals reminded...
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North Carolina Court of Appeals Clarifies Its Jurisdiction to Review Orders Denying Motions to Compel Arbitration
An order that denies a motion to compel arbitration, although interlocutory, can be appealed right away. Such rulings involve a...
News
13 Cranfill Sumner LLP Attorneys Named to 2023 North Carolina Super Lawyers and Rising Stars Lists
Cranfill Sumner LLP announced that 13 of its attorneys have been selected for inclusion in the 2023 North Carolina Super Lawyers and 2023 North Carolina Rising Stars lists....
Result
Steven Bader Wins Jury Trial in Federal Court
Attorney Steven Bader recently won a jury trial in the United States District Court for the Western District of North...
News
CSH Law Attorneys Receive Best Lawyers “Ones to Watch” Recognition
Four attorneys from Cranfill Sumner LLP (CSH Law) were recently named among the Best Lawyers 2023 Ones to Watch....
Result
Steven Bader, Susan Hofer and Mica Nguyen Worthy Prevail on Borrowing Statute case at North Carolina Court of Appeals
Cranfill Sumner attorneys Steven Bader, Susan Hofer and Mica Nguyen Worthy won dismissal for their client, an aircraft maintenance and...
Result
Steven Bader and Donna Rascoe Win Contributory Negligence Case at North Carolina Court of Appeals
The North Carolina Court of Appeals affirmed summary judgment for Cranfill Sumner’s client, a local school board, in a bodily...
News
Steven Bader Discusses Communicable Disease Insurance Coverage
“Communicable Disease Coverage in the Age of COVID-19,” an article by Steven Bader recently appeared in For the Defense. Steven outlines what communicable disease coverage is intended to cover and the legal issues surrounding it throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. The article appeared in the January 2022 edition....
Result
Steven Bader and Richard Boyette Prevail at North Carolina Court of Appeals
The North Carolina Court of Appeals affirmed dismissal of a complaint against our client, a community association management company, for...
News
11 Cranfill Sumner LLP Attorneys Named to 2022 North Carolina Super Lawyers and Rising Stars Lists
Cranfill Sumner LLP announced that 11 of its attorneys have been selected for inclusion in the 2022 North Carolina Super Lawyers and 2022 North Carolina Rising Stars lists....
News
Cranfill Sumner LLP Announces New Partners
Cranfill Sumner LLP today announced that Steven Bader (Raleigh), Stephen Bell (Wilmington) and Charles Hicks (Raleigh) have been named partners in the firm....
Post
NC Supreme Court Amends Appellate Procedure Rules
On Oct. 13, the Supreme Court of North Carolina adopted amendments to the North Carolina Rules of Appellate Procedure. The...
News
CSH Law Attorneys Receive Best Lawyers “Ones to Watch” Recognition
Four attorneys from Cranfill Sumner LLP (CSH Law) were recently named among the Best Lawyers 2022 Ones to Watch....
News
Cranfill Sumner LLP Attorneys Receive AV Rating from Martindale-Hubbell
Cranfill Sumner LLP (CSH Law) today announced that Steven Bader, Paul Gessner, Charles Hicks, Q. Shante Martin and Nick Valaoras have received AV Ratings from Martindale-Hubbell....
Post
Cranfill Sumner Attorneys Featured in DRI Publication
Steven Bader and Jennifer Welch are featured in the December edition of For the Defense. Their article, “The ISO Virus...
Post
North Carolina Superior Court Bucks National Trend and Rules for Policyholders in COVID-19 Business Interruption Suit
State and local governments around the country, including in North Carolina, directed bars, restaurants, and other businesses to suspend or...
News
Cranfill Sumner Attorneys Volunteer for Legal Aid Eviction Project
In May 2020, Legal Aid of North Carolina launched an effort to help North Carolinians who were struggling to pay rent and were facing eviction. Legal Aid paired available emergency financial support with a search for volunteer attorneys from across the state who could help negotiate past and future payments with landlords....
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Are Jurisdictional Facts Reweighed on Appeal?
The North Carolina Court of Appeals Disagrees on the Standard of Review of the Industrial Commission’s Jurisdiction North Carolina appellate...
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Contributory Negligence Survives... For Now
North Carolina adheres to the common law doctrine of contributory negligence. The rule, which has been jettisoned by 46 states...
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North Carolina Court of Appeals Reminds Practitioners that the Rules are NOT Meant to be Broken
Nothing derails a good appeal faster than a jurisdictional problem. And although the rules of procedure can be confusing, they cannot be...
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Cranfill Sumner Launches COVID-19 Response Team
Cranfill Sumner & Hartzog LLP (Cranfill Sumner) announced the creation of its COVID-19 Response Team. The team is comprised of...
News
Steven Bader Joins Cranfill Sumner Raleigh Office
Cranfill Sumner LLP (Cranfill Sumner) today announced that Steven Bader has joined the firm’s Raleigh office as Of Counsel. Bader focuses his practice in appellate law....
