A Partner at GRSM since 1998, Steven B. Bitter serves as the firm's General Counsel.  Steven specializes in advice to and litigation on behalf of insurers and serves as the co-chair of the Insurance practice group in the firm’s San Diego office.

The focus of Steven's practice is handling complex insurance coverage and bad faith litigation on behalf of insurers. His experience is broad based and ranges from handling all aspects of property and casualty coverage litigation, including related bad faith litigation, to professional liability (D&O, E&O, and EPLI). Steven has trial, appellate, mediation and arbitration experience in both state and federal court in a variety of coverage areas including environmental, construction, professional liability, and first party property.

Prior to joining GRSM, Steven was a litigator in the legal department of a public utility company in San Diego, California.   

Admissions

• California
• U.S. District Court, District of California
• U.S. Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit

Served as national counsel for major international insurer’s environmental coverage unit.

Defended insurers in complex, multi-party coverage litigation relating to environmental contamination and construction defect claims throughout California.

Representing clients in professional liability, and life, health, and disability matters.

Presentations

Steven routinely provides seminars for his insurance clients on topics including environmental coverage issues/trends, California's independent counsel statute (Civil Code Section 2860), and California's Fair Claims Handling Regulations.