Philip R. Stein

Partner
305-350-7220
Area of Focus: Trial & Litigation
"Phil is a master strategist on complex litigation; he's able to see multiple steps ahead and prepare the case and client accordingly."
- Chambers USA source
Philip R. Stein
Partner
305-350-7220
  • OVERVIEW
  • EXPERIENCE
  • INSIGHTS
  • CREDENTIALS
  • PRACTICES
GET TO KNOW PHIL
Phil is a go-to litigator who shares his clients’ sense of urgency and concern. Phil crafts effective litigation strategies by creatively applying tried and true litigation principles and defenses to new legal challenges, and bringing innovative approaches to longer-standing problems. His clients appreciate his unwavering determination and collaborative approach to resolving seemingly impossible stalemates. Phil’s experience is wide-ranging, with an emphasis on financial services litigation, corporate governance and partnership disputes, consumer product litigation, and privacy issues.
Q & A
How has your commercial litigation practice changed over the years?
It’s striking how often we get contacted by companies around the country to handle high-stakes disputes without any nexus to Florida. It is especially gratifying to be contacted by business leaders looking for a litigator to handle a new “bet the company” business challenge or an untested legal issue. The last financial crisis generated many such opportunities for us. Since then, we have handled hundreds of complex residential mortgage backed securitization and repurchase cases that threatened our clients’ existence. Our team has worked tirelessly to refute the claims against our clients, vigorously defend their business practices, and vindicate their legal and contractual rights.
What trends do you see in financial services industry commercial litigation?
Banks, financial services and other consumer-facing companies are encountering new legal risks and challenges, such as data privacy litigation. They are especially vulnerable because they possess and use large amounts of personally-identifiable, confidential consumer information daily. We are helping banking and other commercial clients prepare to respond appropriately in the event of a data breach, and also regularly assist them with respect to more general privacy and data theft issues, including trade secrets litigation. Various types of consumer class actions are on the rise, and we have a wealth of experience handling such matters
What does it mean to be a partner at Bilzin Sumberg?
First and foremost, it means being committed to preeminence in our legal practice and in our community. It means serving our clients adeptly, ethically, and cost-effectively. We prize collaboration and trust, and consistent responsiveness to clients and their needs. I take pride in being part of a preeminent organization that holds itself accountable to continuously improve its services and processes, in ways that benefit our clients and our community.
EXPERIENCE
Experience
Representation of international bank as lead trial counsel in multi-week trial, obtaining confidential favorable resolution for client.
Experience
Defense of mortgage loan originators against claims brought throughout the country asserting over $500 million in cumulative damages. The cases were initiated by major financial institutions seeking repurchase of or indemnification for large volumes of residential mortgage loans sold before the 2008...
Experience
Obtained over $60 million in settlement payments for plaintiff client as co-lead counsel in bankruptcy adversary proceedings.
Experience
Representation of MacNeill Group in arbitration regarding wrongful termination of insurance program manager contract. Successfully obtained damages award of $3.2 million, which was subsequently confirmed in federal court.
Experience
Successful representation as lead counsel for major internet service provider. Obtained judgment and affirmance of judgment in federal appeals court.
Experience
Representation of Fortune 500 company as trial counsel in trials and arbitrations involving complex corporate governance and executive compensation issues, obtaining favorable settlements and dismissals of claims.
INSIGHTS
Publication March 18, 2025
Corporate directors and officers always have a tremendous amount on which to focus, including the critical corporate governance responsibilities that their positions carry with them. 2025 brings some newer challenges to supplement those perennial concerns.
Speaking Engagement September 12, 2024
Philip R. Stein speaks on the panel Don’t Be a Dinosaur! Staying Current on Corporate Governance Developmentsat the ACC South Florida 14th Annual CLE Conference. The session focuses on the significant developments in Florida and Delaware corporate governance law, focusing on the most salient n...
Blog June 14, 2023
Last month, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) issued an advisory opinion on the attempted enforcement of time-barred alleged debt collection rights as to second mortgage loans. It is a violation of the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) and its implementing Regulation F to sue ...
Blog May 26, 2023
The regulatory authority of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) over the cryptocurrency industry has recently been challenged on various accounts. A lawsuit filed by the SEC and, separately, a petition filed against the SEC are two examples of these recent events. The out...
Client Alert May 24, 2023
Over the past year, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) as receiver for Washington Mutual Bank has filed a number of lawsuits against individual mortgage companies and mortgage brokers in connection with indemnification claims focused on residential mortgages that were originated before...
Blog May 19, 2023
In February, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) proposed amending the Federal Reserve Board’s Regulation Z with respect to the amount of fees that credit card issuers are permitted to charge their customers for late payments. Read to learn more about the details of the proposed ch...
CREDENTIALS
  • Duke University, J.D., 1993
    University of North Carolina, B.A., 1989
  • American Bar Association
    Litigation Pretrial Practice & Discovery Section
    Co-Chair of the Recent Court Decisions Subcommittee
    American Friends of Magen David Adom
    Director
    Dade County Bar Association
    Legal Achievement Awards, Committee Member
    Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival
    Committee Member
    The Florida Bar
    Business Law Section
    University of Florida

    Parent and Family Leadership Society

    United Way Miami
    Impact Leadership Council, Member
  • Florida
    Georgia
    Illinois
    Maryland
    Pennsylvania
  • U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Southern District of New York
    U.S. Court of Appeals, District of Columbia Circuit
    U.S. Court of Appeals, Tenth Circuit
    U.S. Court of Appeals, Fourth Circuit
    U.S. Court of Federal Claims
    U.S. District Court, District of Minnesota
    U.S. District Court, District of Utah
    U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Michigan
    U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Missouri
    U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Pennsylvania
    U.S. District Court, Middle District of Florida
    U.S. District Court, Northern District of Texas
    U.S. District Court, Central District of California
    U.S. District Court, Northern District of Florida
    U.S. District Court, Southern District of Florida
    U.S. District Court, Northern District of Georgia
    U.S. District Court, Northern District of Illinois
    U.S. District Court, District of Maryland
    U.S. District Court, District of Colorado
    U.S. District Court, Western District of Texas
  • Chambers USA, Litigation: General Commercial, 2019 - present

    Florida Super Lawyers, 2015 - 2020, 2023 - present

    Benchmark Litigation, Local Litigation Star, 2016 - present

    Attorney Intel, Top 50 Attorneys of Miami, 2023 

    Daily Business Review, Most Effective Lawyers - Bankruptcy, Finalist, 2013

    Daily Business Review, Most Effective Lawyers - Distressed Real Estate, Finalist, 2013

    South Florida Legal Guide, Top Lawyers, 2020