Steven M. Williams
- Harrisburg, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh
- swilliams@cohenseglias.com
- 717.480.5302
- Successfully defended a real estate holding company against charges of wrongful conduct and breaches of fiduciary duty in a $4 million partner dispute involving four separate partnerships and an estate.
- Successfully settled a claim of disability discrimination brought against a construction contractor by a former employee.
- Steve was successful in having a contractor’s complaint, in which it sought fees for work it performed on an owner’s property, dismissed based on a provision in the owner’s property insurance policy that required that all disputes over the amount of a loss be submitted to an appraisal, as opposed to being litigated in court. The Court held that even though the contractor was not a party to the insurance policy and that appraisal provisions are usually reserved for disputes between an insured and an insurer, the contractor was nevertheless bound to submit its claim to an appraisal, due to a provision in the contractor’s contract that its fees for the work were subject to the owner’s insurance policy “which sets the scope and price of the work based on industry standards.”
- In a case of first impression, he was successful in obtaining a decision from the Pennsylvania Superior Court awarding interest, penalties and attorney’s fees pursuant to the Contractor and Subcontractor Payment Act during the post-trial/execution proceedings in the case.
- Successfully mediated a substantial construction dispute involving the collapse of part of a building’s HVAC system, defending the case on behalf of the HVAC contractor.
- Successfully tried to verdict, on behalf of a restoration contractor, a breach of contract case in the Cumberland County Court of Common Pleas in which the jury completely rejected the defendants’ claims of defective and unfinished work on the project.
- Was successful in a Superior Court appeal involving a dispute between a client and its supplier over amounts claimed to be owed to the supplier on a supply contract.
- Served as local counsel in a successful anti-trust case involving price discrimination against a national food manufacturer and a national food distributor.
- Successfully defended against a lis pendens filed against an industrial property by a buyer who had an expired agreement of sale for the property.
- Successfully settled a real estate purchase dispute involving three parties that had been in litigation for over ten years.
- Successfully represented the seller of a restaurant in a dispute that initially caused the buyer to seek to terminate the sale, but who ultimately agreed to purchase on substantially the original terms.
- Filed and prosecuted one of the first liens under the Commercial Broker Lien Act.
- Obtained the dismissal of three counts of a federal fair housing case in a case of first impression in the Middle District of Pennsylvania.
- Successfully represented a mechanical contractor in an age discrimination case before the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission.
- Obtained summary judgment in favor of a small business client who was being sued by a vendor for amounts allegedly due under a supply contract.
- Successfully mediated a commercial disparagement/defamation of credit case involving two national mortgage brokers.
- Was successful in a mortgage foreclosure action on behalf of a property owner that stripped the property of a substantial second mortgage, allowing the property owner to develop and sell the property.
- Was successful in negotiating the settlement of a bad faith insurance claim that resulted in the client receiving 100% of his claim.
Steve provides a full range of legal services to help his clients avoid and resolve legal problems and maximize the success of their businesses. He concentrates his practice in the areas of commercial litigation, real estate, landlord and tenant law, condominium and homeowner law, employment law, construction, and business and corporate law. A large portion of Steve’s practice is devoted to helping clients resolve real estate disputes, including landlord and tenant matters, fair housing issues, sale-purchase issues, and licensing matters. He also spends a considerable amount of time representing clients who are the targets of consumer protection investigations conducted by the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General into allegations of deceptive and unfair business practices under the Unfair Trade Practices Consumer Protection Law.
Steve represents clients in civil and commercial disputes in state courts throughout Pennsylvania and in various federal courts. He also represents clients in mediation and arbitration proceedings and before various administrative boards. Steve has served as a court-appointed arbitrator for the Dauphin County Court of Common Pleas and frequently serves as an arbitrator at the request of parties in private disputes.
Steve is a frequent speaker and lecturer on topics such as landlord and tenant law, real estate issues, employment issues, the impact of social media on individuals and businesses, and other miscellaneous business issues. Steve is a PA Real Estate Commission-approved continuing education provider for real estate licensees and has taught courses as part of the National Apartment Association’s Certified Apartment Manager designation.
Steve is also a member of the firm’s Labor & Employment, Energy & Utilities, and Government Law & Regulatory Affairs Groups. He serves as the firm’s managing partner, overseeing the firm’s operations.
- Pennsylvania State University Dickinson School of Law, J.D.
- Bloomsburg University, B.A.
- Pennsylvania
- U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Pennsylvania
- U.S. District Court, Middle District of Pennsylvania
- U.S. District Court, Western District of Pennsylvania
- U.S. Court of Appeals, Third Circuit
- U.S. Supreme Court
- Dauphin County Bar Association
- Greater Harrisburg Association of Realtors (GHAR) – Government Affairs Committee, Commercial Council Board of Directors
- Harrisburg Regional Chamber & CREDC – Government Relations Committee
- National Apartment Association (NAA)
- Pennsylvania Apartment Association – Board of Directors, Legislative Committee
- Pennsylvania Association of Realtors (PAR)
- Pennsylvania Bar Association (PBA)
- Pennsylvania Manufactured Housing Association (PMHA)
