Reginald D. Steer is a member of the firm’s litigation practice, focusing primarily on cases involving claims of antitrust violations, contract disputes, fraudulent business practices, unfair competition and intellectual property disputes.

Practice & Background

Mr. Steer is a broadly experienced trial lawyer who defends and prosecutes complex cases and provides antitrust advice to the firm’s clients. He is a fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers.

In addition to his litigation practice, Mr. Steer has been a contributor to the ABA Antitrust Section’s Rule of Reason Monograph, has taught in trial skills programs and has taught on the subject of Robinson-Patman law.

Mr. Steer received his B.A. in 1966 and his J.D. cum laude in 1969 from the University of Minnesota, where he was a member of the Law Review. He served in the U.S. Army Judge Advocate General’s Corps from 1969 to 1973.

Mr. Steer has successfully tried numerous cases to verdict; two of the biggest cases were a defense verdict for a major oil company in a 12-week jury trial in California state court of a class action involving service station operators who claimed $2.75 billion for breach of contract, misrepresentation and violation of state unfair practices law, and a 10-week jury trial for a client claiming insurance coverage in a complex, multipolicy case that resulted in a large award to his client.

Representative Matters

Mr. Steer’s significant engagements have included:

  • defending a U.K.-based hedge fund in a former fund manager’s $100 million action for breach of contract and defamation
  • defending a national bookstore chain in a series of highly publicized federal antitrust price discrimination cases and a consumer class action challenging, as price-fixing, an agreement concerning the operation of the client’s Web site
  • defending a manufacturer of the building material-oriented strand board in nationwide class actions alleging conspiracy to restrict supply and fix prices
  • defending an international oil company’s dual distribution system for selling gasoline
  • defending multiple cases challenging clients’ product distribution policies
  • defending a nitrogen fertilizer manufacturer against price-fixing claims
  • defending a client accused of price-fixing in the market for natural gas
  • defending a product liability case against a client accused of selling defective water heaters
  • defending a civil RICO action concerning working conditions in Saipan garment factories
  • defending disputes concerning the limitations on information that credit card receipts may contain
  • litigating a variety of intellectual property, contract and trade secret actions.

Awards & Accolades

Mr. Steer is listed in the peer-review survey Northern California Super Lawyers.