Steven C. Corhern

For complex litigation, there are two issues that will be important to watch. First, the CFPB is seeking to ban class action waivers in consumer deposit agreements. The rule is currently in a comment period. If the proposed rule goes into effect in 2017, banks will likely see an increase in the number of class actions filed. Second, the Supreme Court appears ready to decide whether plaintiffs' in so called "no injury" class actions have standing to pursue their claims. The Court touched on this issue earlier this year, but did not resolve it. If the Court does squarely address this issue in the near future, it could seriously limit the types of consumer class actions that can be brought in federal court.  

I am active with the Birmingham Bar Association, the Rotaract Club of Birmingham, and Trinity United Methodist Church. I enjoy speaking and working with local high school students about legal topics and professional development. The most rewarding activity, however, has been serving on the Eagle Boards for the local district of the Boy Scouts of America.  First, I am excited to interact with the young men who will be future leaders of our state and our country. Second, as an Eagle Scout myself, I am glad that I can to give back to the organization that taught me valuable life skills such as organization, communication, and leadership.               

I often describe my job as solving puzzles. The puzzle I am trying to solve on a daily basis is how to achieve the most favorable result for my client as quickly and efficiently as possible. I do that by thinking strategically and seeing the big picture. The most exciting cases are the really hard ones. They force me to think outside the box and come up with new strategies so that I can maximize my client's chances of winning. There is no better feeling than obtaining a favorable result for my client in a situation that seemed unwinnable.  

The two best years of my life were the years I clerked for the Hon. Emmett R. Cox and the Hon. Virginia Emerson Hopkins. Working with these distinguished jurists allowed me to experience judicial decision making first hand. It also allowed me to learn from their decades of legal experience. I use the lessons I learned while clerking on a daily basis. 

Another experience that influences my practice is my training as a historian. History is one of my passions. Before going to law school, I received an M.A. in history. This experience taught me to consider all possibilities and competing perspectives when confronting a problem. This training helps me piece together the truth from conflicting evidence and also enables me to craft strong and compelling narratives so that I can present my client's best case.