Stephen Davis is the Managing Partner of DiFrancesco Bateman. He concentrates his practice in complex litigation, including construction, premises liability, Title 59 and commercial matters on behalf of defendants. Steve’s experience in the courtroom and successes has enabled him to be certified by the New Jersey Supreme Court as a Civil Trial Attorney, and he was named a Master of the Joseph Halpern Inns of Court. He has also been certified by the State of New Jersey as a mediator.

Steve has successfully defended both corporations and individuals in tort and commercial matters. His clients have included Veolia Water Contract Operations USA, Inc., Diocese of Metuchen, Bank of America and Maersk. In addition to his litigation work, Steve counsels his clients in a wide variety of commercial and contract matters, drawing upon his litigation experience to resolve challenging legal and business issues and to offer his clients advice for business development.

Steve is General Counsel to the Suburban Municipal Joint Insurance Fund and Litigation Counsel to the Somerset County Joint Insurance Fund. He is a member of the American Bar Association and the Somerset County Bar Association. He is also a member of the Defense Research Institute, The Defense Association of New Jersey, and the DRI Construction Law Committee. He was formerly an assistant prosecutor in Union County, as well as a Municipal Prosecutor in Bedminster Township, Bernards Township, the Borough of Bernardsville and Readington Township. 

PUBLICATIONS

• Allendorf v. Kaiserman Enterprises, 630 A. 2d 402, 266 NJ Super. 662-NJ; Appellate Div., 1993
• America’s Pride Const. v. Farry, 811 A. 2d 906 175 NJ 60-NJ; Supreme Court, 2002.
• Leibig v. Somerville Senior Housing, 740 A. 2d 686, 326 NJ Super. 102 – NJ: Appellate Div., 1999.

• Representation of clients in a wide variety of commercial, personal injury, construction and Title 59 matters helping them resolve disputes without litigation.
• Handles retail and commercial litigation for national entities including Veolia Water Contract Operations USA, Inc. and Bank of America.
• Serves as Fund General Counsel and advises the Suburban Municipal Joint Insurance Fund which includes municipal member entities in Somerset, Morris and Union Counties.
• Serves as Litigation Counsel and advises various governmental entities which comprise the Somerset County Joint Insurance Fund including member municipalities located in Somerset and Hunterdon Counties.
• Provides counsel and advice to numerous national and regional insurance carriers and their insureds including NJM, AIG, Chubb, and ACE.
• Defended a prominent New Jersey multi-disciplinary architectural and engineering firm in a multi-million dollar construction litigation involving the State of New Jersey.
• Acts as lead counsel handling and coordinating litigation throughout New Jersey for one of the world’s leading private water companies.
• Successfully represented a major New Jersey car dealership in a multi-million dollar contract dispute involving commercial leases.
• Has successfully pursued numerous successful indemnification claims on behalf of both large and small commercial clients with respect to lease obligations in personal injury and contractual litigation.
• Representation of CEO of multinational financial services firm in construction litigation involving his personal residence.
• Representation of multiple governmental entities and their employees in Title 59, Section 1983 and other Federal and State litigation of both personal injury and contract claims.
• Successfully obtained a dismissal of all claims asserted against a restaurant/bar for improper service of alcohol to a patron subsequently involved in a motor vehicle accident causing catastrophic injuries.
• Provides counsel and advice for clients embarking on new business ventures including assessments of risk and risk management.
• Successfully defended a majority owner in a multi-million dollar commercial dispute involving purchase of several restaurants.
• Successfully defended the owner and operator of a motor vehicle involved in a catastrophic wrongful death litigation involving commercial vehicles ultimately resulting in a settlement in excess of $10 million.
• Representation of closely held corporations in breach of contract and other commercial litigation.