Steven J. Erffmeyer

Steve is a versatile civil defense litigation attorney, possessing extensive experience in personal injury, catastrophic loss, and complex litigation.  His general liability practice includes automobile, law, premises liability, group home liability, social host liability, commercial transportation, and construction related matters. Steve also maintains an active insurance coverage practice, providing guidance to insurers on insurance policy coverage issues.

Client engagement is essential to successful defense litigation. Steve enjoys working with clients on pre-litigation and litigation matters, from simple to complex, and consulting with them throughout the process to obtain the best possible outcome. Clients count on Steve’s aptitude to listen, analyze their situation, and develop a cost effective litigation strategy – whether it be an early resolution, trial, or appeal. 

Steve is licensed in Michigan and Minnesota and co-chairs the firm’s General Liability and Commercial Transportation Practice Groups. 

Presentations

• "Preventing a Nuclear Attack: Recommended Strategies in Responding to Nuclear Verdict Tactics," Minnesota Automobile Law Seminar, Arthur, Chapman, Kettering, Smetak & Pikala, P.A., September 2023
• “Key 8^th Circuit Decisions and Strategies for Handling These Claims,” Business Interruption Webinar, Arthur, Chapman, Kettering, Smetak & Pikala, P.A., October 2020
• "COVID-19 Insurance Coverage Roundtable," "Coverage Issues Related to COVID-19 Claims," Insurance Coverage Webinar, Arthur, Chapman, Kettering, Smetak & Pikala, P.A., April & May 2020 
• "Mitigating Risks for Food Industry and Delivery Service Workers in the COVID-19 Era Webinar," Arthur, Chapman, Kettering, Smetak & Pikala, P.A., April 2020
• “Case Law Update,” Minnesota Automobile Law Seminar, Arthur, Chapman, Kettering, Smetak & Pikala, P.A., September 2019
• “Should we Arbitrate? Merits and Potential Pitfalls of Arbitration vs. District Court Litigation,” Minnesota Construction Law Seminar, Arthur, Chapman, Kettering, Smetak & Pikala, P.A., January 2019
• “Auto-Related Panel Discussion,” Minnesota Automobile Law Seminar, Arthur, Chapman, Kettering, Smetak & Pikala, P.A., September 2018
• “Property Coverage Update – Current Trends in Matching and Appraisal,” Insurance Coverage Seminar, Arthur, Chapman, Kettering, Smetak & Pikala, P.A., May 2018
• “Auto-Related Panel Discussion,” Minnesota Automobile Law Seminar, Arthur, Chapman, Kettering, Smetak & Pikala, P.A., September 2017
• "Coverage/Legislative Update," Minnesota Construction Law Seminar, Arthur, Chapman, Kettering, Smetak & Pikala, P.A., October 2016
• Coverage Issues in Construction Defect Claims – New Trends & What is an ‘Insured Contract?’” Construction Defect & Dispute Conference, September 2016
• Construction Law: Designs, Delays, Disputes, and Delivery - Construction Projects 101: Laying the Groundwork,” Sterling Education System in Fargo, ND, August 2016
• “Coverage Issues in Construction Defect Claims,” “Insurance Coverage: A Panel Discussion,” Commercial Insurance Coverage Seminar, Arthur, Chapman, Kettering, Smetak & Pikala, P.A., May 2016
• “Insurance Coverage: A Panel Discussion,” Commercial Insurance Coverage Seminar, Arthur, Chapman, Kettering, Smetak & Pikala, P.A., May 2015
• “Coverage Issues in Construction Defect Claims: New and Scintillating Details,” Commercial Insurance Coverage Seminar, Arthur, Chapman, Kettering, Smetak & Pikala, P.A., May 2014

Publication

• “Village Lofts Ensured Repose for Condo Contractors, and Clarified the Law Governing Two Harbors Settlements. Here’s How.” Minnesota Defense, Spring 2020

Honors

AV® Preeminent™ Martindale-Hubbell Peer Review Rating 
Rising Star® by Minnesota Law & Politics, 2007, 2009-10