Stephen Richman is a shareholder in the Firm’s Business Litigation, Professional Liability Defense and Class Action practice groups. He approaches his cases as counselor and litigator with the goal of helping his clients achieve a desirable and efficient resolution while zealously advocating their interests. Stephen’s attention to detail, creativity, good judgment and long-term case outlook have bolstered these efforts.

Stephen regularly defends lawyers and law firms in malpractice and breach of fiduciary duty actions in state and federal courts, and has experience in arbitration. These cases often involve complex areas of the law. To this end, Stephen has particular experience defending lawyers and law firms in actions by federal equity receivers and putative investor classes arising out of SEC or other governmental regulatory body enforcement actions, including when the government agency has alleged the existence of a Ponzi scheme.

Stephen has further defended companies in class actions for violation of the Florida Telephone Solicitation Act and Florida’s Consumer Collection Practices Act as well as advised clients on other business and commercial litigation matters.

Prior to joining Gunster, Stephen was a partner with a litigation firm in Dallas, Texas. While in law school, Stephen served as senior business editor of the Tulane Maritime Law Journal. He also interned for the Honorable Sam A. Lindsay of the Northern District of Texas and the Honorable John S. Bryant of the Middle District of Tennessee.

Stephen enjoys military and American history, and international travel.

• Defended law firm sued for legal malpractice in third-party litigation arising out of the Stanford Ponzi scheme.
• Successfully argued motion to exclude late designated witness from testifying at final hearing of a $40+ million auditor malpractice arbitration.
• Assisted in defeating franchisor’s application for temporary restraining order in contentious breach of contract/trademark infringement lawsuit involving real estate brokerage.

• Florida Super Lawyers, “Rising Star,” 2020-23
• Palm Beach Illustrated, “Top Lawyers,” Legal Malpractice Law, 2023
• Texas Super Lawyers, “Rising Star,” 2019

• “Uberrimae Fidei – Once Entrenched, Always Entrenched: The Third Circuit Joins the Majority in AGF Marine Aviation & Transport v. Cassin, But Is That Enough?”, 33 TUL. MAR. L.J. 553, 2009

• Historical Society of Palm Beach County
  • Board of Governors, 2020-23
  • Chair, Young Friends of the Historical Society of Palm Beach County, 2021-23
• Rosarian Academy
  • Finance Committee, 2022-23