Stephen P. "Steve" Pate

Stephen P. "Steve" Pate

Houston, TX recognized lawyers icon Recognized in Best Lawyers since 2007
Cozen O'Connor

162 Best Lawyers awards

Cozen O'Connor logo

Awarded Practice Areas

Insurance Law

Biography

Stephen Pate focuses his litigation practice on property insurance matters, Directors and Officers insurance matters, business interruption issues, CGL insurance matters, builders risk matters, commercial general liability insurance disputes, fraud, and various other extracontractual litigation matters. Over a 30 year career in coverage work, he has tried more than 45 first-party extracontractual cases to verdict. Prior to joining the firm, Stephen had been partner in the Houston office of an international law firm since 1994.A fellow of the American College of Coverage and Extracontractual Counsel, in May 2017 Stephen was elected to a three-year term on the Board of Regents. ACCEC was established in 2012 and is composed of preeminent lawyers representing both insurers and policyholders involved in coverage and extracontractual matters. Since 2006 he has also been recognized by Chamber and Partners USA in Insurance-Texas. Stephen is also a member of the American Board of Trial Advocates and the American Law Institute.Stephen received his bachelor’s degree, magna cum laude, from Vanderbilt University. Stephen earned his law degree from Vanderbilt University Law School. While in law school, he was research editor for the Vanderbilt Journal and he is a member of Phi Beta Kappa.
Cozen O'Connor

162 Best Lawyers awards

Cozen O'Connor logo

Overview

  • Vanderbilt University, J.D., graduated 1983
  • Vanderbilt University, B.A. , graduated 1980

  • Texas, Texas Bar
  • New York, New York Bar

  • American Bar Foundation - Member
  • American College of Coverage Counsel - Board of Regents

  • U.S. District Court -- Southern District of New York
  • U.S. District Court -- Eastern District of New York
  • U.S. District Court -- Southern District of Texas
  • U.S. District Court -- Western District of Texas
  • U.S. District Court -- Eastern District of Texas
  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit

  • United States District Court
  • Texas, Texas Bar
  • New York, New York Bar
  • American Bar Foundation - Member
  • American College of Coverage Counsel - Board of Regents
  • Vanderbilt University, J.D., graduated 1983
  • Vanderbilt University, B.A. , graduated 1980
  • U.S. District Court -- Southern District of New York
  • U.S. District Court -- Eastern District of New York
  • U.S. District Court -- Southern District of Texas
  • U.S. District Court -- Western District of Texas
  • U.S. District Court -- Eastern District of Texas
  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit
  • United States District Court

Client Testimonials

Steve Pate embodies the best of the attributes to be found among his colleagues, both in and outside of his firm. I recently had the pleasure of bringing an insurance recovery case to him for trial or settlement involving international parties and broad-based multiple opponent representation. His grasp and analysis of the problem, together with his extraordinary ability to carry the case forward, well-known to the opponents, proved decisive in settling the matter very much to the clients' satisfaction.

Clayton Farnham (Drew, Eckl & Farnham, LLP)

Atlanta, GA

We use Steve Pate on complex first-party commercial insurance matters. He is a very skilled litigator and trial lawyer, and is also extremely knowledgeable in insurance issues. His advice is always very practical and customer-focused.

I worked with Steve Pate for many years. Although I have not had the pleasure recently, I found Steve to be well versed and prepared no matter the venue or the issue. Steve was always available to my office and was timely and responsive. Steve is a conscientious advisor and puts his client's interests first. Steve is the consummate professional.

Awards & Focus

Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America® 2026 for work in:
  • Insurance Law
Special Focus:
  • Bad Faith
  • Business Interruption
  • Coverage
  • COVID-19
  • Dispute Resolution
  • Property
Awards:
  • Best Lawyers in America 2018-2019
  • 2017 Irish Legal 100

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