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Stephen J. Finley
Partner
Philadelphia, PA
Newark, NJ
Partner
Philadelphia, PA
Newark, NJ
Steve is a litigator who dedicates his practice to the defense of cases involving wrongful death, catastrophic personal injury, and major property loss. He defends companies involved in complex litigation, including multidistrict litigation, mass tort litigation, class action lawsuits, and serial lawsuits. A frequent author on emerging issues in products liability law, he has represented defendants facing novel products liability claims, such as publishers and patent holders.
In addition to his product liability practice, Steve handles the prosecution and defense of commercial matters, including breach of contract disputes and business tort claims.
While in law school, Steve was an intern in the Chambers of the Honorable Jacob P. Hart, United States Magistrate Judge for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. He also served as Co-Editor-in-Chief of the Villanova Journal of Catholic Social Thought and was President of the St. Thomas More Society. As an undergraduate, Steve served as a staff intern in the White House Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives during the Bush Administration.
Products Liability
Representation of a retail distributor of nutritional products in Pennsylvania and New Jersey in a variety of matters, including consumer fraud and personal injury claims.
Representation of a leading manufacturer of safety equipment in wrongful death and catastrophic personal injury claims. Mr. Finley has obtained summary judgment or favorable settlements in each of these cases.
Defense of the nation’s largest propane distributor in multiple matters around the country, including wrongful death, personal injuries, and major property damage claims.
Representation of various manufacturers, owners, and operators of cranes in numerous wrongful death and toxic tort claims.
Representation, with broader Gibbons team, of leading manufacturers of consumer products in a variety of product liability cases in Pennsylvania and New Jersey.
Representation of a manufacturer of agricultural and construction equipment in cases involving wrongful death and catastrophic personal injury in Pennsylvania’s state and federal courts.
Defense of members of the petrochemical industry in toxic tort cases claiming wrongful death and personal injury stemming from exposure to benzene and other chemicals.
Business & Commercial Litigation
Representation of Pennsylvania municipality in construction dispute with general contractor over construction delays and faulty workmanship.
Defense of specialty chemical manufacturer in fraudulent inducement and breach of contract claim.
Representation of manufacturer of consumer goods in a shipping dispute, for which an award of summary judgment was obtained.
Representation of energy services company in a lawsuit commenced following a drilling accident at a fracking site, for which dismissal of subrogation claim was obtained.
Defense of manufacturer of specialty dental equipment in breach of contract and conversion of intellectual property lawsuit.
Class Action Defense
Representation of the manufacturer of an insulation product in a putative class action claiming personal injuries and requesting medical monitoring on account of alleged chemical emissions from the insulation product.
Pharmaceutical, Medical Device, and Lab Defense
Representation of numerous pharmaceutical companies in individual and consolidated personal injury cases, including mass tort and multidistrict litigation, including both prescription and over-the-counter medications.
Representation, with a broader attorney team, of a publisher in a series of personal injury lawsuits brought against pharmaceutical companies in the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas, for which summary judgment has been obtained.
Defense of a physician sued in a series of product liability lawsuits arising out of a pharmaceutical product the physician is alleged to have invented. Mr. Finley is part of a team of Gibbons lawyers who secured a dismissal in the first of these lawsuits to be decided.
Reported Cases
Beyerle v. Wright Med. Tech., 2014 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 176653 (D. N.J. Dec. 23, 2014)
Plexicoat America, Inc. v. PPG Architectural Finishes, 2014 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 38144 (E.D. Pa. Mar. 21, 2014)
Hokanson v. Kerr Corporation, et. al., 2014 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 30477 (D. N.J. Mar. 10, 2014)
Kallman v. Aronchick, et. al. 2013 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 159951 (E.D. Pa. Nov. 8, 2013)
Slemmer v. McGlaughlin Spray Foam Insulation, Inc., 2013 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 149320 (E.D. Pa. Oct. 16, 2013)
Slemmer v. McGlaughlin Spray Foam Insulation, Inc., 2013 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 94496 (E.D. P.a Jul. 3, 2013)
In re Spray Polyurethane Foam Insulation Prods. Liab. Litig., 2013 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 80736 (J.P.M.L. June 6, 2013)
In re Tylenol (Acetaminophen) Mktg., Sales Practices & Prods. Liab. Litig., 2013 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 49420 (J.P.M.L. Apr. 1, 2013)
E. Aaron Enters. v. Classified.com LLC, 2010 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 76237 (E.D. Pa., Jul, 27, 2010)
Tucker v. Bernzomatic, 2010 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 43771 (E.D. Pa., May 4, 2010)
Villanova University School of Law, J.D.
Catholic University of America, B.A.
Judicial intern to The Honorable Jacob P. Hart, United States Magistrate Judge for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania (2004)
United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania
United States District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania
United States District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania
United States District Court for the District of New Jersey
United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit
Included on the Benchmark Litigation “Future Stars – Pennsylvania” list, 2026
Included on the Benchmark Litigation list, “Future Stars,” Products Liability
Included on the Pennsylvania Super Lawyers Rising Stars list, Personal Injury Products: Defense, 2020
Law360’s Pennsylvania Editorial Board
Philadelphia Bar Association
State Civil Litigation Section
Defense Research Institute