How Steven Helps Clients
Steve is a commercial litigator with more than 20 years of experience prosecuting and defending complex business disputes on behalf of his clients. His practice focuses on multi-million-dollar business torts, breach of contract matters, real estate litigation and construction disputes. Steve’s list of clients includes global pharmaceutical companies, Florida’s largest real estate developers, and mid-to-large scale corporations operating in a host of other industries. Steve employs a comprehensive approach to litigation and dispute resolution, taking into consideration that what is best for one business or individual may not be best for another.
What Clients Can Expect
Steve is an aggressive and hard-nosed litigator who works with his clients to develop strategies that best serve their long-term goals. Clients hire Steve because they know he will aggressively protect their businesses and prosecute their claims. Steve is widely recognized as a leading commercial litigator in Florida and is named among The Best Lawyers in America© in the Commercial Litigation category.
Outside the Office
Steve maintains his strong ties to college football as an executive member of the board of directors of the ReliaQuest Bowl. Steve stays connected to his law school alma mater as an instructor in the Intensive Trial Advocacy Program at Notre Dame Law School. Steve is an avid outdoorsman and has received numerous awards for his fundraising efforts on behalf of Ducks Unlimited, the largest non-governmental conservator of wetlands and wildlife habitats in North America. Steve is also a board member of the Tampa Bay Economic Development Council and Pasco Sheriff’s Charities.
Proof Points
- United States District Court, Middle District of Florida: Successfully prosecuted breach of contract and FDUTPA claims against national defense subcontractor resulting from wrongful termination of multi-million-dollar contracts between the parties. Reached settlement of $16.5 million in favor of client.
- 13th Judicial Circuit of Florida: Won jury trial in a commercial lawsuit on behalf of a national information technologies provider who performed millions of dollars’ worth of services for a national retailer, who then refused to pay invoices based upon false allegations of inadequate services provided. The national retailer countersued, and Mr. Pratico obtained a defense verdict on all counterclaims.
- 5th Judicial Circuit of Florida: Obtained summary judgment on behalf of a statewide construction company in a lawsuit filed by homeowners who claimed damage to property resulting from nearby construction activity. After multiple attempts to amicably resolve the matter, Mr. Pratico obtained and collected a judgment against the claimants for all attorney’s fees.
- 6th Judicial Circuit of Florida: Forced a client’s competitor in the publication industry to change its publication name and logo based upon an initial finding by the court that the competitor’s product was causing confusion in the community and harming client’s business.
- 10th Judicial Circuit of Florida: Prevailed in a bench trial in a commercial lawsuit on behalf of a nation fertilizer company against agriculture consortium who refused to pay for millions of dollars’ worth of products upon false allegations that incorrect products were delivered. The agriculture consortium counter sued, and Mr. Pratico obtained a defense verdict on all counterclaims.
Education
- University of Notre Dame Law School, J.D., 2001
- Bucknell University, B.S., 1998, Environmental Science & Economics
- Rutgers University, 1993-1995
Courts & Admissions
- Florida
- U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida
- U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida
- U.S. Tax Court
Affiliations
- Notre Dame Law School – Intensive Trial Advocacy Program Instructor
Civic & Charitable
- ReliaQuest Bowl; Executive Member of the Board of Directors; 2017 Chairman of Board of Directors
- AdventHealth Hospital Foundation; Board of Directors
- Pasco Sheriff’s Charities; Vice-Chairman of Board of Directors
- Ducks Unlimited Pasco County; Chairman of Board of Directors
- Tampa Hillsborough Economic Development Corp., Board of Directors, Executive Committee
Practice Areas
