Steven Bader

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Steven Bader: Attorney with Cranfill Sumner LLP
Attorney Awards
  • Martindale-Hubbell Peer AV Preeminent Rating
About Attorney Awards

Biography

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

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2026 Supreme Court Series

Our attorneys are dedicated to monitoring decisions by the Supreme Court of the United States, some of which may affect...

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Supreme Court Reinforces a Narrow View of “Clearly Established” Rights in Zorn v. Linton

In Zorn v. Linton, the Supreme Court reminded lower courts that a “clearly established” constitutional right is just that -...

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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...

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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...

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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...

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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...

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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...

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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...

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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...

See more ›

Areas of Practice (7)

  • Appellate Law
  • Class and Collective Actions
  • Employment Law
  • Insurance Law & Coverage
  • Municipalities & Public Entities
  • Professional Liability
  • Retail, Restaurant & Hospitality

Education & Credentials

Mailing Address:
PO Box 27808, Raleigh, NC 27607
University Attended:
St.Cloud State University, Bachelor of Science, Mass Communications, Business Management, magna cum laude, 2007
Law School Attended:
Gonzaga University School of Law, J.D,, cum laude, 2010
Year of First Admission:
2010
Admission:
2010, Minnesota; 2020, North Carolina; U.S. Supreme Court; U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit; U.S. District Court, Eastern District of North Carolina; U.S. District Court, Middle District of North Carolina; U.S. District Court, Western District of North Carolina; U.S. District Court, District of Minnesota; U.S. District Court, District of North Dakota; 2025, Certified Appellate Practice Specialist, North Carolina State Bar Board of Legal Specialization
Reported Cases:
Representative Matters: Defended homeowner sued by entrant for hunting accident. After a defense verdict at trial, briefed and argued appeals to the Minnesota Court of Appeals and Minnesota Supreme Court that clarified application of the Minnesota Recreational Use Immunity statute.; Represented national insurance carrier in declaratory judgment action brought against corporate entity that sought defense and indemnity for the company's alleged negligent supervision of its sole owner, who engaged in deliberate abuse of children. The district court granted the carrier's motion for summary judgment and awarded costs and disbursements, which was affirmed on appeal.; Defended negligent supervision / premises liability matter that was partially affirmed on appeal, and then obtained defense verdict on the remainder of the case remanded for jury trial.; Represented motorist in an appeal that challenged numerous favorable post-trial rulings, including application of the Minnesota collateral source statute, alleged erroneous jury instructions, and prevailing party and cost-shifting determinations made by the district court. The court of appeals affirmed on all issues.; Obtained defense verdict for homeowners' association sued for negligence in an accident where plaintiff suffered injuries that rendered him a quadriplegic. The case involved numerous motions for summary judgment, a motion for reconsideration, an effort at an interlocutory appeal by the plaintiff, extensive motions in limine, and a five-day jury trial that ended in a defense verdict.; Obtained defense verdict on liability and damages in an automobile accident tried to jury.; Obtain defense verdict on damages in a construction defect case tried to jury.; Obtained defense verdict on liability and damages in a jury trial where a contractor was sued for workmanship that allegedly caused frozen pipes and corollary damages.
ISLN:
921908232

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Peer Reviews

4.9/5.0 (18 reviews)
Martindale-Hubbell® AV Preeminent Rating Badge

  • Legal Knowledge

    4.9/5.0

  • Analytical Capability

    4.9/5.0

  • Judgment

    4.9/5.0

  • Communication

    4.9/5.0

  • Legal Experience

    4.9/5.0

  • 5.0/5.0 Rated by a Partner on 02/23/21 in Litigation

    Steven Bader is an exceptional and experienced litigator. He is knowledgeable and a great communicator both with other lawyers and as a trial attorney. He has also always been reliable, well-prepared, a good listener, and insightful in my interacti... Read more

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  • 5.0/5.0 Rated by a Attorney on 02/17/21 in Litigation

    My work with Steve Bader has always involved cases in litigation in which we represented opposing parties. . In one major case, he was faced with assessing the scope of duty that might be assessed to his client under Restatement (2nd) of Torts, secti... Read more

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  • 5.0/5.0 Rated by a Partner on 02/17/21 in Litigation

    Steven is a fantastic attorney, and an extremely honorable and worthy adversary. I would highly recommend him for any company involved in litigation.

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  • 5.0/5.0 Rated by a Attorney on 02/16/21 in Litigation

    Thoughtful professional who knows how to explain complex ideas in commonly understood terms. Timely, effective, and appropriate in communications. Can be trusted to wisely deliver on your request.

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  • 5.0/5.0 Rated by a Attorney on 02/15/21 in Appellate Practice

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  • 5.0/5.0 Rated by a Managing Partner on 02/15/21 in Litigation

    During his years of private practice in Minnesota prior to his relocation to NC, Mr. Bader exhibited superior abilities, both subjectively and objectively measured internally (in the law firm where he became a partner and managing partner) and extern... Read more

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  • 5.0/5.0 Rated by a Attorney on 02/12/21 in Construction Law

    Steve is an excellent attorney who aggressively represents his clients while maintaining positivity and professionalism.

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  • 5.0/5.0 Rated by a Partner on 02/12/21 in Insurance

    Steven is a leader and an exceptional person both in the courtroom and outside of it.

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  • 5.0/5.0 Rated by a Partner on 02/12/21 in Insurance

    I've been very impressed with Steven's legal acumen, writing ability, and consistency. He is worthy of this rating.

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  • 5.0/5.0 Rated by a Attorney on 02/05/21 in Litigation

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