USA
Practice Areas
Insurance Recovery, Corporate and Commercial Litigation
Career
Steven J. Pudell is the managing shareholder of Anderson Kill's Newark office. Steve's practice concentrates on insurance recovery, exclusively on behalf of policyholders, as well as on commercial litigation.
Steve devotes a large part of his practice to representing food industry companies, chemical manufacturers, pharmaceutical companies and real estate developers in insurance recovery matters.
Since 2011, Steve has been recognized by Chambers USA as one of New Jersey's top insurance recovery lawyers, which cited a client's assessment that "he is an expert in the field of insurance litigation" who "quickly analyzed the case" and was "a pleasure" to work with. Since 2013, he has been selected by his peers for inclusion in Best Lawyers in America for Insurance Law. Since 2017, Steve has been recognized by The Legal 500 United States for Insurance - advice to policyholders.
Steve often writes and speaks about insurance coverage matters. In 2018, he was selected as a member of Law360’s insurance editorial advisory board.
After graduating from the University of Pennsylvania Law School in 1995, he clerked for the Honorable David Landau in the New Jersey Superior Court, Appellate Division.
He was the co-chair of the ADR/Settlement Subcommittee of the American Bar Association, Litigation Committee (2012-2016). He has also served on the New Jersey Supreme Court Model Civil Jury Charge Committee (2009-2014) and was a member of the Risk/Safety Commission of the Associated General Contractors of America (2009-2013).
In addition, Steve was actively involved in civic and philanthropic activities and served as president of the Teaneck Baseball Organization (2013-2015) and was a member of the Board of Trustees of his local synagogue.
Professional Memberships
Professional Memberships
American Bar Association, Litigation Committee, Co-Chair ADR/Settlement Subcommittee (2012-2016); New York State Bar Association; New Jersey State Bar Association; ABA Corporate Counsel Committee (2012-2013); Model Civil Jury Charges Committee (2012-2014)
Association Memberships
Member (2018-2019) Law 360 Insurance Editorial Advisory Board; Associated General Contractors of America; New Jersey Association of General Contractors; American Beverage Association and GMA; The Association of Food, Beverage and Consumer Products Companies; Food Safety Committee, New Jersey Food Council; Risk Management Committee, New Jersey Food Council; Adjunct Professor (2015-16) at Rutgers Law School; President of TBO (2014-2015).
Board Memberships
Co-Chair, ADR/Settlement Subcommittee
Publications
Know the Limitations and Specifications in Racehorse Insurance Policies
Equine Business Magazine / November 15, 2024
Insurance Coverage Exists for the Forever Chemical in New Jersey
New Jersey Alert / June 14, 2024
Less Cyber Coverage, More Compliance Risk for Companies
Law360 / May 12, 2023
RECENT NEW JERSEY SUPREME COURT DECISION CONSTRICTS AN INSURANCE COMPANY’S DUTY TO DEFEND
New Jersey Alert / October 28, 2022
6 COMMON MISTAKES TO AVOID IF YOU WANT TO MAXIMIZE YOUR CYBER INSURANCE CLAIM RECOVERY
Risk & Insurance / May 15, 2022
5TH CIRC. FINDS INSURER MUST DEFEND ROOFING CO. IN $5M SUIT
Law360 / January 11, 2022
5 STEPS TO ENSURE CYBER INSURANCE CLAIMS DON’T GET DENIED
PropertyCasualty360 / September 29, 2021
For a complete list, see https://andersonkill.com/people/steven-j-pudell/ (publications tab)
Work Highlights
Successfully obtained summary judgment for duty to defend for Legionnaires’ Disease in The Doe Fund v. Berkley Insurance Company, 22-CV-9852-JGLC (S.D.N.Y. March 26, 2024).
Successfully obtained partial summary judgment for insurance coverage relating to theft of electronic equipment from warehouse in Mexico. Synnex Corporation v. Axis Insurance Company, 4:20-cv-07244-YGR (N.D. Cal. March 15, 2023).
Successfully obtained duty to defend in appeal for damage resulting from allegedly faulty roof in Siplast, Inc. v. Emps. Mut. Cas. Co., 23 F.4th 486, 492 (5th Cir. 2022).
Successfully obtained insurance coverage for animal health product company accused of causing property damage to poultry chickens of its clients in Phibro Animal Health Corp. v. Nat’l Union Fire Ins. Co. of Pittsburgh, 446 N.J. Super. 419 (App. Div. 2016).
Represented multi-national chemical manufacturer in environmental insurance coverage case involving sites in New Jersey and Tacoma, Washington.
Obtained favorable ruling on the duty to defend for our client, a large pharmaceutical company, on its $400 million product liability insurance coverage dispute. The case settled days before trial.
Successfully obtained order dismissing insurance company’s complaint based on abstention grounds for the policyholder which resulted in a favorable settlement of the case for our client, an outdoor and camping equipment manufacturing company. The matter stems from an insurance coverage dispute regarding insurance company’s denial of coverage under product liability insurance.
Represented manufacturer of land, air, sea and space navigation and guidance products in environmental insurance coverage litigation.
Represented coating and paint manufacturer in environmental insurance coverage litigation involving sites in over 20 states.
Lead counsel for major real estate developer in insurance coverage dispute involving “Builders Risk” policy. Also, represented the company in reaching a settlement in a related dispute involving a general liability insurance policy.
Represented commercial landlord involving insurance coverage for complaints by tenants of damage from toxic fumes.
Represented commercial property owner in property/fire insurance case and won summary judgment ruling that led to settlement. See 237 F.Supp.2d 270 (E.D.N.Y. 2002).
Represented corporation in securities fraud case.
Represented paint manufacturer in lead paint insurance coverage case. Case was litigated to the New Jersey Appellate Division (2003 WL 1904383) and the New Jersey Supreme Court (179 N.J. 87).
Represented franchises of a fast food company involving insurance coverage for food borne illness.
Represented a manufacturer of military rations involving a food contamination/recall insurance policy.
Appointed as special insurance coverage counsel for debtors insurance coverage issues
Expert in these Jurisdictions
Bar Admissions
New Jersey
New York
Court Admissions
United States District Court for the District of New Jersey
United States District Courts for the Southern District of New York
United States District Courts for the Eastern District of New York
United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan
United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit
Education
University of Pennsylvania Law School
J.D.
Awards
Ranked
The Legal 500 since 2017
Best Lawyer
Best Lawyers since 2013