- Overview
- Experience
Introduction
Steven is an experienced litigator and trusted adviser focused on high-stakes U.S. and cross-border disputes and complex litigation matters.
Steven Hwang represents U.S. and international clients in sophisticated disputes involving commercial, unfair business practices, IP, product liability, consumer class actions, and other matters. Beyond his litigation practice, Steven provides strategic counsel on a range of legal and business issues, including matters involving potential disputes, risk management, and cross-border considerations. He partners closely with clients to develop strategies aligned with their business objectives, risk tolerance, and long-term priorities.
Steven has extensive experience managing multimillion-dollar matters and complex litigation portfolios, coordinating cross-office and cross-border teams, and implementing efficient defense and resolution strategies in multijurisdictional disputes. His practice includes significant cross-border work, particularly representing multinational companies in U.S. litigation and coordinating matters involving legal and business teams across multiple jurisdictions. He also works closely with international clients and their in-house legal teams to bridge differences among legal systems, business practices, and litigation strategies, and to coordinate effectively with U.S. counsel and other stakeholders.
His clients range from multinational conglomerates and Fortune 500 companies to emerging businesses across a broad range of industries, including automotive and mobility, aviation, entertainment and media, food and beverage, manufacturing, technology, and financial services. Clients value Steven’s practical judgment, strategic perspective, and ability to manage sophisticated domestic and cross-border matters.
Education & credentials
- University of California, Berkeley School of Law, J.D.
- University of California, San Diego, B.A.
- California
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
- U.S. District Court for the Central District of California
- U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of California
- U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California
- U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California
Impact
- Korean American Bar Association of Southern California (KABA), Current Member and Former VP, Treasurer, Secretary and Governor.
- National Asian Pacific Bar Association
- Los Angeles County Bar Association
- KABA and Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles Pro Bono Legal Clinic, Volunteer Attorney
- Represented healthcare industry client in a federal putative class action alleging various consumer claims including under the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) for failure to implement and maintain reasonable security practices to protect class members’ personally identifiable information from unauthorized access during a data security breach.
- Obtained dismissal of federal putative class action alleging slack fill consumer fraud claims. Court dismissed all claims finding that client’s product packaging clearly and accurately displayed its contents and was not deceptive.
- Obtained dismissal of federal putative class action concerning the lawful use of partially hydrogenated oils on federal preemption grounds pursuant to the U.S. Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act and Section 754 of the Consolidated Appropriations Act.
- Obtained dismissal of federal putative class action alleging deceptive and false product labeling based on plaintiff’s failure to allege injury sufficient for Article III standing.
- Represented clients in multiple wage-and-hour class actions, including claims related to failure to pay overtime, failure to provide meal and rest breaks, and failure to reimburse expenses. Obtained favorable resolutions after engaging in discovery and motion practice.
- Represented major automotive manufacturers in high-stakes intellectual property disputes arising from advanced vehicle technology claims.
- Represented executives of a global energy company in a federal fraudulent transfer and veil-piercing action brought by a competing oil and gas operator.
- Successfully represented a sports and entertainment industry client in highly contested business litigation matter involving cross-claims for breach of contract, fraud and business torts which resulted in favorable settlement for client after extensive discovery and filing of a motion for summary judgment.
- Represented a global energy and power company in a significant high-stakes commercial dispute.
- Represented a leading technology and mobility company in a sophisticated IP litigation matter.
- Represented various clients across industries involving claims for breach of contract and other business disputes.
- Successfully prosecuted internet domain name trademark infringement matter in U.S. District Court. Obtained permanent injunction for client.
- Represented e-commerce company nationwide in multiple product liability lawsuits and prelitigation claims involving a wide array of consumer products.
- Represented market-leading software and technology company in litigation involving alleged product defects and consumer claims.
- Represented airplane manufacturer in wrongful death and personal injury litigation arising from aviation accidents.
- Represented automotive manufacturer and retailer against claims alleging strict liability and negligence due to alleged defective component parts.
- Represented construction product manufacturer against wrongful death and personal injury claims.
- Represented food and beverage client against claim for personal injury arising from the ingestion of a defective product.
- Represented multiple clients nationwide in mass tort and toxic tort cases.