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Steven F. Griffith Jr.

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Steve Griffith is chair of the Advocacy Department and former chair of the Business Litigation Group. 

Featured Experience


Tried to a favorable verdict the removal of general partners on two affiliated LIHTC properties where the general partners and their affiliated property manager "loaned" money from the partnerships for their own uses over the course of several years. Following trial, in a 34-page opinion, the Court enforced the clients' rights to remove the general partners, required termination of the property manager, rejected the claims of the general partners' attorneys regarding "aggregator misconduct," and required transfer of control of the property to the investor's representatives within 30 days. (Read more.)

After trial, obtained dismissal of a bankruptcy filed by a general partner attempting to gain leverage in buy-out negotiations with the manager of limited partner interests in a portfolio of LIHTC partnerships valued at more than $100 million. (Read more.)

Engaged by a sitting judge and his former law partner to pursue a fee dispute against an attorney formerly associated with their firm, who took cases from the firm when he departed. Following an eight-day trial, obtained judgment in excess of $1.1 million (the full demand) in favor of our clients, which was more than four times the pre-trial offer of settlement from the defendant. (Read more.)

Professional Biography


Steve Griffith manages the relationships with several clients that entrust the Firm with disputes throughout the Southeast and nationwide. He has represented or advised clients regarding matters in more than 35 states.

Steve's litigation practice includes representing investors, syndicators, and managers of investor limited partner or member interests (directly, but also through middle and upper tier funds) in Low Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) properties throughout the country. He works with clients from pre-suit negotiation through litigation and trial, if necessary. He also frequently writes and speaks about LIHTC-related topics.

Steve formerly served on Baker Donelson's Board of Directors, and he was a member of the Firm's Audit and Finance Committee.

Prior to practicing, he served as judicial clerk for Chief Justice Pascal F. Calogero Jr. in the Louisiana Supreme Court from 2000 to 2001.

  • Tried to a favorable verdict the removal of general partners on two affiliated LIHTC properties where the general partners and their affiliated property manager "loaned" money from the partnerships for their own uses over the course of several years. Following trial, in a 34-page opinion, the Court enforced the clients' rights to remove the general partners, required termination of the property manager, rejected the claims of the general partners' attorneys regarding "aggregator misconduct," and required transfer of control of the property to the investor's representatives within 30 days. (Read more.)

  • After trial, obtained dismissal of a bankruptcy filed by a general partner attempting to gain leverage in buy-out negotiations with the manager of limited partner interests in a portfolio of LIHTC partnerships valued at more than $100 million. (Read more.)

  • Engaged by a sitting judge and his former law partner to pursue a fee dispute against an attorney formerly associated with their firm, who took cases from the firm when he departed. Following an eight-day trial, obtained judgment in excess of $1.1 million (the full demand) in favor of our clients, which was more than four times the pre-trial offer of settlement from the defendant. (Read more.)

  • Business Litigation

  • Tried cases to favorable verdict for investors in LIHTC partnerships regarding issues related to general partner misconduct, breaches of fiduciary duty, and removal from management of the partnerships.

  • Served as trial counsel in various engagements across the country involving multi-million-dollar partnership disputes alleging breach of contract, breach of fiduciary duty, fraud, and similar theories of recovery.

  • Defended a RICO claim and related business torts seeking in excess of $200 million in damages; based on motion practice, and in exchange for withdrawing pending sanctions motions against the plaintiff, the client was voluntarily dismissed from the suit without payment.

  • Employment

  • Defended an international contractor in primary and copycat matters involving nationwide FLSA and state law class action claims, resulting in the client incurring no out-of-pocket settlement contribution or attorneys' fees.

  • Served as lead counsel in the defense of nationwide, statewide, and local FLSA collective actions alleging misclassification or inadequate pay of employees pending in Louisiana, Texas, Arkansas, Florida, Michigan, and Virginia.

  • Negotiated the transition of senior executives and department managers out of the client's employment, resolving whistleblower claims as part of the agreements.

  • Extensive experience in enforcing or invalidating non-compete and non-solicitation agreements in different parts of the country.

  • Injunction

  • Obtained emergency injunctions in breach of contract actions requiring enforcement through the seizure of vessels in coordination with United States Marshals and private, armed security details across state lines.

  • Obtained emergency injunctions recovering stolen business records and trade secrets from client's former business partners and employees.

  • Defended attempts to enjoin clients from enforcing a non-compete and other business terms across state lines.

  • Internal Investigations

  • Handled internal investigations regarding employees at all levels – from chief executive officers to receptionists – involving allegations of harassment, theft, and other concerns.

  • Investigated sensitive allegations for employers implicating insurance fraud, nuclear energy regulatory commission, federal aviation administration and other regulatory schemes.

  • Managed investigations involving regulatory concerns of criminal conduct, environmental violations, and the death of employees.

  • Listed in The Best Lawyers in America® for Commercial Litigation (since 2020); Labor and Employment Litigation (since 2012); Construction Litigation (since 2013); Employment Law - Management (since 2013); Litigation - Real Estate (2023, 2024)
  • Listed in Louisiana Super Lawyers in Business Litigation (2020 – 2024); in Civil Litigation: Defense (2014 – 2019); listed as among top 50 attorneys in Louisiana (2016 – 2021, 2023, 2024); listed as among top 50 attorneys in New Orleans (2016 – 2021, 2023, 2024)
  • Listed in Chambers USA as a leading Labor & Employment lawyer in Louisiana since 2010
  • Named to the Lawdragon 500 Leading Litigators in America (2024)
  • Listed as a Louisiana Rising Star in Louisiana Super Lawyers (2013)
  • Member – Leadership in Law Class of 2013, New Orleans CityBusiness
  • Recognized as a "Top Lawyer" by New Orleans Magazine in Labor and Employment Law (2013, 2016 – 2020, 2023)
  • Member – Federal Bar Association (Board Member, New Orleans Chapter)
  • Former President – Federal Bar Association, New Orleans Chapter
  • Member – American, Louisiana and New Orleans Bar Associations
  • Member – Fifth Circuit Bar Association
  • Fellow – Louisiana Bar Foundation (Member, Grants Committee)
  • Member – Louisiana Supreme Court Historical Society
  • Recipient – Baker Donelson Louisiana Pro Bono Attorney of the Year Award (2007)
  • Volunteer – New Orleans Pro Bono Project
  • Member – Save Our Cemeteries
  • Member – Garden District Association
  • Former President – St. Martin's Episcopal School Alumni Association

Education

  • Loyola School of Law, J.D., 2000, magna cum laude
    • William L. Crowe Sr. Scholar
    • Law Review
    • Moot Court
  • Rhodes College, B.A., 1997, cum laude
    • Dean's list

Admissions

  • Louisiana
  • Arkansas, pro hac vice
  • Florida, pro hac vice
  • Kansas, pro hac vice
  • Texas, pro hac vice
  • United States Supreme Court
  • United States Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals
  • United States Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals
  • United States District Courts, Eastern, Middle and Western Districts of Louisiana
  • United States District Court, Northern District of Alabama, pro hac vice
  • United States District Court, Eastern District of Arkansas, pro hac vice
  • United States District Court, Western District of Arkansas, pro hac vice
  • United States District Court, Middle District of Florida, pro hac vice
  • United States District Court, Southern District of Florida, pro hac vice
  • United States District Court, District of Massachusetts, pro hac vice
  • United States District Court, Eastern District of Michigan, pro hac vice
  • United States District Court, District of Minnesota, pro hac vice
  • United States District Court, Southern District of Mississippi, pro hac vice
  • United States District Court, Eastern District of Missouri, pro hac vice
  • United States District Court, Northern District of Ohio, pro hac vice
  • United States District Court, Southern District of Ohio, pro hac vice
  • United States District Court, Eastern District of Oklahoma, pro hac vice
  • United States District Court, Western District of Oklahoma, pro hac vice
  • United States District Court, Eastern District of Tennessee, pro hac vice
  • United States District Court, Western District of Tennessee, pro hac vice
  • United States District Court, Eastern District of Texas, pro hac vice
  • United States District Court, Northern District of Texas Bankruptcy Court, pro hac vice
  • United States District Court, Southern District of Texas, pro hac vice
  • United States District Court, Eastern District of Virginia, pro hac vice
  • United States District Court, Southern District of West Virginia, pro hac vice

What is extraordinarily important to me is working with a firm that understands our business and challenges, and Steve has proved that over and over [again].


CFO, Privately-held national syndicator

I have seen a lot of ways lawyers work and interact [with clients]. A lawyer who is typically good at one [client management and service] is not always great at the other [lawyering]. The thing about Steve is he is great at both.


Senior Vice President, Privately-held national syndicator

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