Steve Baril is a member of the Business and Professional Litigation group. He focuses his practice on complex litigation, business disputes and trial strategy. He has extensive jury trial experience in state and federal courts, including serving as lead and local counsel in the infamous "Rocket Docket," the U.S.D.C. for the Eastern District of Virginia.  Steve's vast experience in the "Rocket Docket" ranges from defending D&O and shareholder class actions challenging the sale of publicly traded companies, such as Massey Energy, to the Blackberry® patent infringement case.

Steve is a frequent lecturer in Virginia on trial tactics and the "Rocket Docket," and has been a guest faculty member for the National Institute of Trial Advocacy (NITA).  He is listed Best Lawyers in America for commercial litigation. He has been recognized by his peers many times in Virginia Business magazine's "Virginia Legal Elite" and as a "Super Lawyer" for Business Litigation by Virginia Super Lawyers magazine. Steve has been rated AV, the highest possible ranking for ethics and experience, by the Martindale Hubbell Peer Review ratings system.

Steve has long been recognized for his leadership at the Bar, in the Richmond business community, and in Virginia politics.

Representative Cases

• Successful defense of CEO and Chairman of Board in shareholder class action challenging sale of Massey Energy to Alpha Natural Resources.  Mostaed v. Crawford, et al., Civil Action No. 3:11-CV-00079-REP (USDC, EDVA).
• Representation of Attorney General, VRS and Arlington and Fairfax retirement funds in suit against Bank of New York Mellon for violation of Virginia's Fraud Against Taxpayers Act (§8.01-216.1 et seq.).  Commonwealth of Virginia, ex. rel., FX Analytics v. Bank of New York Mellon Corp., et al., Case No. CL2009-15377 (Fairfax Circuit Court).
• Defense of executrix/trustee in breach of fiduciary duty suit.  Camper v. Manning, Civil Action No. 2:11-cv-00157 (USDC, EDVA).
• Successful defense of North Carolina gasoline and convenience store chain in suit by Virginia gasoline distributors ("jobbers") under Virginia's Petroleum Products Franchise Act (§59.1‑21.8 et seq.), A.A. Crystal, Inc. v. Hess Corp., Case No. CL11-907 (Henrico Circuit Court).
• Successful prosecution of shareholder derivative suit and claim for attorney's fees and litigation expenses incurred therein.  Bragg v. Cattano Law Firm, PC, Case No. CL08-2570 (Albemarle Circuit Court).
• Expert witness on behalf of trustee resulting in recovery of nearly $1,000,000 in attorney's fees and costs incurred in successful defense of breach of fiduciary duty claim.  W.A.K. v. Wachovia Bank, Case No. 3:09-CV-00575 (USDC, EDVA).
• Successful prosecution of suit arising from breach of multi-million dollar M&A deal.  Evan Energy v. Cervello Capital, Civil Action No. 1:10-CV-05254 (USDC, SDNY).
• Successful dismissal of breach of fiduciary duty suit against Virginia trustee.  Dupont Bie v. Middleburg Trust Co., Civil Action No. 1:10-CV-02711-CM (USDC, SDNY).
• Successful prosecution of suit for fraud, breach of contract and business torts arising out of breach of M&A deal.  Shea Development Corp. v. Watson, Civil Action No. 1:07‑CV‑11201 (USDC, SDNY).
• Successful dismissal of breach of fiduciary duty and related claims against Virginia trustee.  Cooke v. Estate of Jack Kent Cooke, Civil Action No. 3:07-CV-0168-P (USDC, NDTX); Civil Action No. 1:08-CV-988 (USDC, EDVA).
• Successful defense of D &O claims against CEO and Chairman of Board arising out of demise of Richmond-based coal company.  In re: James River Coal Co.; Schnelling v. Crawford, Case No. 06‑03037 (USBC, EDVA).
• Successful dismissal of 35 consolidated suits for breach of contract and fiduciary duty seeking $20,000,000 in damages.  Rayder, et al. v. SunTrust Bank, At Law No. CL05001561 (Alexandria Circuit Court).
• Jury trial resulting in nominal damages against fiduciary for breach of contract and fiduciary duty.  Alma Telephone Co. v. SunTrust Bank (Waycross St. Ct., GA).
• Prosecution of E&O claim for breach of insurance services contract.  Dollar Tree Stores v. Aon Risk Services of Va., (Chesapeake Circuit Court).
• Local counsel in blockbuster Blackberry® patent infringement jury trial.  NTP v. Research in Motion, (USDC, EDVA).

Community Service

• J. Sergeant Reynolds Community College Board (2012-)
• Richmond's Future, Secretary/General Counsel, Board of Directors (2010-)
• Greater Richmond Partnership, General Counsel (2008-2009), Board of Directors (2010-)
• Greater Richmond Chamber of Commerce, Board of Directors (1991-97, 2009-)
• Governor Bob McDonnell's "Jobs Commission," Chair, New Business Recruitment and Retention (2010-2011)
• Governor Bob McDonnell's Economic Development Transition Team (2009)
• The Forum Club, Secretary/Treasurer (2010 -)
• Future of Richmond's Past, Steering Committee (2009-)
• Venture Richmond, Board of Directors and Executive Committee (2009-)
• Republican Party of Virginia; Candidate for Attorney General (2005)
• Virginia's Criminal Justice Services Board (1998-2001)
• John Tyler Community College Foundation Board, Past Chairman (1999-2001)
• Leadership Metro Richmond (1996)
• YMCA of Greater Richmond, Board of Directors (1993-97)
• Chesterfield Business Council, Past Chairman (1991-92)
Rotary Club of South Richmond