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Senior Partner, Steven H. Osber, Featured In Fort Lauderdale Magazine

Our Senior Partner, Steven H. Osber, was recently featured in Fort Lauderdale Magazine’s December Issue. His Q&A advertorial provides some insight as to who he is as a lawyer, what his views are regarding the complexities of law, and more. Steven’s case representation ranges from routine litigation matters and third party insurance litigation to highly complex litigation including partnership/shareholder disputes, commercial eviction matters, real estate litigation and construction litigation.

Mr. Osber is also valued as a contributing litigator in the firm’s labor and employment cases. He also serves as outside general counsel advising various businesses on day to day legal matters. His expansive litigation experience includes more than 100 state and federal jury and non-jury trials, as well as extensive binding arbitration experience. He is also proficient in appellate cases, having prepared appellate briefs on a variety of matters, argued before various appellate tribunals, and has obtained favorable opinions in the appellate courts throughout the State of Florida. He is rated AV Preeminent by Martindale-Hubbell, which indicates a demonstration of the highest professional and ethical standards and is the highest rating a lawyer can receive. He has also been recognized as a top lawyer in the South Florida Legal Guide in 2011, and from 2014 to present day.

How do you turn the complex into something comprehensible?
Every fact pattern is unique, involving minute details, sophisticated issues and a myriad of facts. The key to making a complex case or issue comprehensible is to discuss it with an audience who has no idea what you’re talking about initially. Figure out a way to break it down to a language the non-legal mind can understand. Often times, I speak to my kids about a case to see what they understand. Usually, the questions they ask provide essential guidance.

What memorable legal challenge stands out to you and how did you handle it?
Often times, as a trial lawyer, the strategy of handling a particular case gets formulated from the onset of accepting the matter, including client direction, the determination and presentation of essential evidence and the development of the case theory and themes. That strategy gets incorporated into every fiber of the case and ultimately determines the manner in which the case will be tried. I have been in trial when it becomes clear that the strategy just isn’t selling to a judge or a jury in a way that the client and the lawyer hoped. So I made the tactical decision to alter that strategy, change the theme and adjust the presentation. In my career, I’ve learned that if its not working, it’s never too late to try to fix it.

What are your favorite types of cases?
I have litigated and gone to trial on a variety of cases involving personal injury, trademarks, real estate transactions, complex commercial issues, trusts, partnership disputes, construction issues and many others. Regardless of the subject matter, my favorites types of case involve lawyers who I respect and deem worthy adversaries. There are some fantastic lawyers in our community. I enjoy those cases that I get to litigate with them, whether they are on my side or against me. Often times, those cases result in long-term friendships and a sincere mutual respect.

What’s the best advice anyone has ever given you?
I remember driving to college with my father, who was also a lawyer, and we were discussing my major and my potential career path. He said to me, “the best advice I can give you is, whatever you do, don’t become a lawyer – but it’s up to you.” The best advise he gave me was that “it was up to me.” I don’t regret that decision for a second.