Partner Steve represents the commercial property insurance industry in emerging and significant risk exposures, both as a plaintiff in large loss catastrophe subrogation matters and as a defendant in coverage matters involving weather related litigation. 901 Main Street Suite 4000 Dallas, TX 75202 TEL: (214) 749-4207 FAX: (214) 760-8994 sbadger@zelle.com PRACTICE AREAS Appraisal Business Disputes and Commercial Litigation Construction Insurance Coverage Subrogation BAR AND COURT ADMISSIONS State Court: Texas US District Court: Northern, Eastern, Western and Southern Districts of Texas Second Circuit Court of Appeals EDUCATION South Texas College of Law, J.D., cum laude, 1991 University of Utah, B.S. Sociology, 1988 University of Utah, B.S. Economics, 1986 Currently, Steve s practice is devoted entirely to leading the insurance industry response to the emerging hail risk. His practice focuses solely on addressing the issues arising in hail damage claims and resulting litigation. In addition to representing his clients in litigated disputes, Steve spends considerable time working with the insurance industry and other interested stakeholders in finding solutions to the abuses and outright fraud prevalent in these matters. This includes development of policy form changes and legislative solutions to address common issues, as well as the identification and pursuit of actions against fraudulent actors involved in these matters. Prior to his hail work, Steve devoted a decade of his career to leading the $5 billion subrogation action arising from the 9/11 Terrorist Attack. As a lead lawyer on the Plaintiffs Executive Committee, Steve was involved in directing all aspects of the action on behalf of the entire group of property damage plaintiffs. The litigation was settled for $1.2 billion, reportedly the largest subrogation recovery ever obtained by the insurance industry. Generally, Steve's large loss catastrophe subrogation practice includes losses involving fires, explosions, product failures, building collapses, and other catastrophic events. He has handled subrogation matters across the United States and in several foreign countries. Steve has developed a particular expertise in losses involving natural disasters, such as hurricanes, windstorms, hailstorms, snowstorms, and floods. Typical losses involve hail damage to roofing products, building collapses under the weight of rainwater or snow, flood damage to buildings, and the blow-off of roofing systems during significant wind events. Steve s coverage practice focuses on the niche area of claims involving roofing and other construction products arising from weather events. He regularly assists his clients in addressing common adjustment and coverage issues typically arising in these losses and represents their interests in subsequent coverage litigation.
An entertaining and informative speaker, Steve is frequently asked to present for industry groups and clients concerning both his subrogation and coverage practices. He also writes frequently on issues arising in his litigation practice. REPRESENTATIVE MATTERS In re September 11 Litig., 1:21-MC-00101-AKH, 2010 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 66905 (S.D.N.Y. July 1, 2010) (order and opinion granting joint motion to approve property damage settlement) In re September 11 Litig., 1:21-MC-00101-AKH (S.D.N.Y, Aug. 13, 2009) (order and opinion denying motions to dismiss all claims of subrogated insurers) Federal Ins. Co., Inc. v. HPG International, Inc. (claims involving failure of commercial roofing product) ARTICLES & PRESENTATIONS Steven Badger Quoted in Claims Journal Regarding States Impacted by Barrage of Hail Lawsuits, May 31, 2016 "The Emerged Hail Risk: The Balanced Solutions," Claims Journal, April 13, 2016, author Steven Badger Quoted in SE Texas Record on Hailstorm Litigation Leading to Potential Limitation on Insurance Coverage, April 8, 2016 "The Emerged Hail Risk: What the Hail is Still Going on and Getting Worse?," Claims Journal, April 6, 2016, author Steven Badger Quoted in Property Insurance Report Regarding Hail Claim Litigation in Texas, April 4, 2016 Steven Badger Quoted in Southeast Texas Record Regarding State Farm Defeat of Hail Claim Lawsuit, March 28, 2016 Steven Badger Interviewed by KPRC Houston Regarding Frivolous Hail Lawsuits, February 19, 2016
"Lawsuits from 2013 hailstorm continue to clog legal system," Steven Badger quoted, Amarillo Globe News, December 15, 2015 "Scare tactics, fraud and barratry the feeding frenzy that has become mass insurance litigation in Texas," Steven Badger quoted, Southeast Texas Record, December 10, 2015 "Hailstorms, the new hurricane litigation boom for Texas trial lawyers," Steven Badger quoted, Southeast Texas Record, September 3, 2015 Attorney: Hail Claims 'Cottage Industry' Bad News for Texas, Steven Badger quoted, Insurance Journal, August 10, 2015 "And Another Texas Court Realizes What The Hail Is Going On?," December 3, 2014, author "Texas Juror Witnesses Firsthand What the Hail is Going on in Texas," Claims Journal, December 1, 2014, author "Texas Hail Damage Claims - Update from the Trenches Webinar," October 22, 2014, presenter "NY Joins Texas In The Broad Use Of Appraisal," Insurance Law360, August 28, 2014, author "The Emerging Hail Risk: What The Hail Is Going On?," Claims Journal, Spring 2014, author "Texas Hail Damage Claims Seminar What The Hail Is Going On?," March 6, 2014, presenter "What The Hail Is Going On In Texas?," Law360, December 19, 2013, author "Hail Damage Claims - What The Hail Is Going On?," Lloyd's Under 30's seminar, May 17, 2013, presenter There Has Got To Be A Better Way -- Strategies For Early Resolution of Complex Subrogation Matters, ExecuSummit, Uncasville, CT, April 9, 2013, presenter
"First Party Property Insurance Appraisals Time to Lawyer Up?," West LegalEdcenter webcast, April 2, 2013, presenter "Hail Damage Claims - What The Hail Is Going On?," Emerging Issues in Property Insurance, Chicago, IL, March 28, 2013, co-presenter Publisher Texas Hail Claims Bulletin", a monthly email bulletin providing information and resources relating to hail damage claim issues. To subscribe, email dgruber@zelle.com. "Appraisal Since Johnson What The Hail Is Going On?," Dallas Bar Association's Headnotes, October 24, 2012, co-author RIMS-DFW Chapter, Annual Conference; Keynote Address, "The Mother of all Subrogation Cases--Subrogation Arising From The 911 Terrorist Attack," October 15, 2012 "The Devolution Of Appraisal In Insurance Disputes," Insurance Law360, October 15, 2012, co-author Texas Hail Damage Claims Seminar What The Hail Is Going On?, August 9, 2012, organizer and presenter The Unauthorized Practice of Public Adjusting, National Association of Public Adjusters Annual Conference, June 23, 2012, presenter Roofing and Insurance When Worlds Collide, North Texas Roofing Contractors Association Lunch & Learn, April 23, 2012, presenter "Dallas attorney had inside view of 9/11 records," Dallas Business Journal, September 9-15 issue, profiled "For Chicago Lawyer Bob Clifford, 9/11 Case Could Be His Biggest Yet," Chicago Magazine, March 2011 issue, quoted PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS National Association of Subrogation Professionals American Association for Justice
State Bar of Texas; Insurance Law Section American Bar Association; Tort and Insurance Practice Section, Property Insurance Law Committee NOTEWORTHY Steve recently served on the Property Damage Plaintiffs Executive Committee leading subrogation efforts from the 9/11 terrorist attack. Steve assisted the Texas Legislature in enacting new licensing requirements governing the conduct of public adjusters. NEWS Zelle LLP Files Class Action Lawsuit Alleging Illegal North Texas Roof Repair Scheme Steven Badger Testifies Before Texas Senate Business and Commerce Committee Regarding Hail Damage Claim Abuse Steven Badger Quoted in Insurance Journal Regarding Hail Litigation in Texas PAST PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE Texas Supreme Court, Justice Jack Hightower, Briefing Attorney 1991-1992