Steve Long has tried more than sixty jury trials and handled cases in federal and state courts throughout the United States. He has tried cases or argued in nineteen different states, four State Supreme Courts, and five Federal Courts of Appeal. He received national recognition for trying large commercial cases on a contingency basis and has recovered more than $500 million for a variety of clients ranging from individuals to small businesses to large corporations.
Steve also has extensive class action case experience, including lead counsel for a certified settlement class in Kansas and Missouri against Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. arising out of wage and hour disputes, lead class and trial counsel for military retirees seeking declaration that state taxing scheme was unconstitutional, and lead trial counsel for a class of investors asserting claims as a result of the roll-up of a master limited partnership.
Steve was selected as one of "Metro Denver's Top Business Newsmakers" in the 2011 Power Book by The Denver Business Journal, recognized as one of The Best Lawyers in America® in Commercial Litigation, is rated by Super Lawyers Magazine, was selected by the Denver Media as a "Business Leader to Watch," was awarded for Case of the Year, May, 2006 by the Colorado Trial Lawyer Association (CTLA), and is a recipient of the Lon O. Hocker Memorial Trial Lawyer Award (The Missouri Bar Foundation).
Specific Areas of Practice
- Civil and Commercial Litigation
Significant Representations
- Co-Lead counsel for a certified class of royalty owners in a jury trial against BP/AMOCO for underpaying oil and gas royalties over a twelve year period. The jury returned a verdict for the class resulting in a judgment in excess of $40 million.
- Lead counsel for a certified settlement class in Kansas and Missouri against Wal-Mart Stores, Inc., et al., arising out of wage and hour disputes on behalf of all former and current employees. The settlement in these cases exceeded $100 million.
- Lead trial counsel for the former owner of the Denver Broncos in a jury trial before a Denver Federal Jury, seeking a 10% ownership interest in the team as a result of the breach of a right of first refusal in a Sale Contract. Although Mr. Long’s client prevailed in the jury trial and obtained an award of specific performance, the case was reversed on appeal. Kaiser v. Bowlen, 181 F. Supp. 2d 1200, (Colo. 2002), appeal, 455 F.3d 1197 (Colo. 2007).
- Lead class and trial counsel for military retirees seeking declaration that state taxing scheme was unconstitutional. The Colorado Supreme Court affirmed and ordered the State to pay approximately $32 million in refunds. Kuhn v. State of Colorado, 817 P.2d 101 (Colo. 1991), appeal after remand, 897 P.2d 792 (Colo. 1995).
- Lead trial counsel for a class of investors attacking an oil and gas company as a result of the roll-up of a master limited partnership. After a four-week class action trial in the Chancery Court of Delaware and Delaware Supreme court affirmance, approximately $63 million was paid to investors. Enserch Corp., et al v. Maclane Gas Co., 633 A.2d 369, reh’d denied, 647 A.2d 381 (Del. 1993).
- Lead trial counsel for the reorganized Kaiser Steel Corporation seeking reimbursement of over $300 million from numerous defendants, including advisors, directors, and officers, on theories of fraudulent transfer and breach of fiduciary duties, which left the company insolvent after a leveraged buyout. Case settled on the weekend before the scheduled three-month jury trial.
- Trial counsel for a small cable television company claiming antitrust and tortious interference violations by a major cable television company. After a five-week jury trial and full appeal, the client received approximately $43 million. TCI Cablevision, Inc. v. Central Telecommunications, Inc., 800 F.2d 711 (8th Circuit 1986), cert. denied, 480 U.S. 910 (1987).
- Lead trial counsel for a small, high tech start-up company claiming contract violations and various business torts against a major U.S. tire company in a six-week jury trial in the Boulder District Court. A seven figure jury verdict was obtained, and the case settled on appeal.
Honors / Distinctions
- Metro Denver's Top Business Newsmakers" in the 2011 Power Book by The Denver Business Journal
- The Best Lawyers in America® 2006 -2014, Commercial Litigation
- Colorado Super Lawyer® 2006-2014
- Denver Media as a "Business Leader to Watch"
- Colorado Trial Lawyer Association (CTLA) Case of the Year, May, 2006
- Lon O. Hocker Memorial Trial Lawyer Award (The Missouri Bar Foundation)
Admitted to Practice Before
- Supreme Court of the United States
- United States Court of Appeals: Federal Circuit, Seventh Circuit, Eighth Circuit; Ninth Circuit; Tenth Circuit; Eleventh Circuit
- United States District Court: District of Colorado and many others
- State Courts: Colorado; Missouri
Professional and Community Affiliations
- Colorado Bar Association
- Denver Bar Association
- Colorado Trial Lawyers Association
- Kansas City Missouri Bar Association
- Lawyer Pilot's Bar Association
- Federal Bar Association
- Faculty of Federal Advocates
Attorney Client Comments