Steve Harrison has been a trial lawyer for 35 years. A founding member of Harrison Davis Steakley Morrison, P. C., he has successfully represented both individuals and businesses in a variety of sophisticated catastrophic injury, product liability, toxic tort, and business litigation matters.
An accomplished civil litigator, Steve is double board certified, holding that distinction in both civil trial and personal injury trial work. He is an active and proud member of Texas Trial Lawyers Association. Steve was elected President-Elect of the organization for 2011 and will serve as its President for 2012. He is also a member of the invitation-only trial organization, the American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA), an organization founded to promote ethical and technical standards of practice in the field of advocacy. Membership in ABOTA requires substantial civil jury trial to verdict experience, as well as high personal character and honorable reputation. He served for many years as a member of the National Board of Directors of the American Board of Trial Advocates.
An adviser and friend to his clients, Steve takes a personal interest in each and every case he handles. His goal is to deliver the highest level of service to his clients.
Steve loves the creativity and strategy involved in the preparation and trial of significant cases. In 1983, he was lead counsel in the case that resulted in the largest jury verdict in the history of McLennan County, Texas, as of that date. Steve was also lead co-counsel in what has been reported as the nation’s first jury verdict to hold a bus manufacturer liable for its failure to install passenger seat belts and safety glass. Steve is listed in Martindale-Hubbell’s Bar Register of Preeminent Lawyers, which includes lawyers and law firms that have earned the highest rating in the Martindale-Hubbell Law Directory and have been designated by their colleagues as preeminent in their field. He has an AV rating with Martindale-Hubbell, which is the highest rating level based on superior ethics, as well as the desired level of professional experience. Martindale-Hubbell Peer Review Ratings are established by lawyers. Steve has been recognized regularly as one of the Super Lawyers in Texas Monthly magazine.
Steve lectures frequently at Baylor Law School, his alma mater, and at various continuing legal education programs, such as Texas Trial Lawyers Association’s Advanced Personal Injury Seminar. Steve has also testified in the Texas Senate concerning the effects of proposed legislation concerning litigation. He has authored and coauthored numerous papers and presentations, including “The Case Against the Certified Repair Station-Plaintiffs Approach,” presented to the Tort and Insurance Section, 1988 ABA Annual Meeting, Toronto, Canada, and “Aviation Tort Law,” Texas Torts & Remedies, Mathew Bender & Co., 1991, “Removal and Remand – Who Moved My Cheese? – Practical Tips for the Prevention & Cure of Relocation Anxiety” presented at Texas Trial Lawyers Association’s Advanced Personal Injury Course, 2004, “Referral Fees in Texas” presented at Texas Trial Lawyers Association’s Advanced Personal Injury Course, 2006.
Steve believes his calling as a trial lawyer is a vital part of his commitment to faith, family, and community. He and his family are members of First Baptist Church Woodway. He was appointed by the Mayor of Waco to a steering committee to implement a plan to end chronic homelessness in Waco, a program that has become a model for the nation. Steve has always had a heart for the provision of quality health care. He served as chairman of the Board of Directors of Hillcrest Health System and has served on that board and the Board of Trustees of Hillcrest Baptist Medical Center for more than twenty-seven years.
Education:
The University of Houston (B.B.A., 1973)
Baylor Law School (Juris Doctor, 1975)
Professional Associations:
Texas Trial Lawyers Association, Member of Board of Directors, Executive Committees (2003, 2004, 2005), Legislative Chairman (2004), President-Elect (2011), President (2012)
State Bar of Texas, Committee on Administrative of Rules of Evidence, District 8-B Grievance Committee, 1986-1993; Chairman, 1990-1992
American Association for Justice
Waco-McLennan County Young Lawyers Association; former president, Recipient Outstanding Young Lawyer Award, 1984
Waco-McLennan County Bar Association, former president
Abner V. McCall American Inn of Court, Master of the Bench and former president
American Board of Trial Advocates, former member of National Board of Directors
Christian Trial Lawyers Association
Texas Bar Foundation, Life Fellow
Bar Admissions:
State Courts in Texas
United States District Courts for the Western, Northern, Eastern, and Southern districts of Texas and the Eastern District of Michigan
Supreme Court of the United States