Steven A. Wagner is a principal in the firm.
Specifically, Steve’s practice involves business and commercial litigation with an emphasis in litigation arising out of real estate transactions and employment matters. Steve’s practice includes representation of real estate brokers, lenders, mortgage companies, appraisers, builders, and developers, in all types of disputes including contract disputes, business torts, unfair competition claims, malpractice allegations, title disputes and partnership, shareholder, and other internal corporate disputes, particularly those arising out of real estate enterprises. This practice includes a substantial amount of mortgage-related litigation, including instances of mortgage fraud and violations under the Real Estate Settlement Procedures (“RESPA”) and Truth In Lending Act (“TILA”) claims.

Steve’s practice also includes representing companies and individuals in handling discrimination and harassment claims brought under the various employment laws including Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the American With Disabilities Act (ADA), the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA), the Equal Pay Act (EPA) and other federal, state and local statutes and regulations. Steve also advises clients on implementing preventive measures to limit an employer’s exposure to claims of employment discrimination.

Prior to joining the Firm, Steve served as a judicial law clerk to the Honorable Charles A. Pannell, Jr., United States District Court, Northern District of Georgia from 2000-2002.

Steve currently serves as an officer of the Atlanta Council of Younger Lawyers, and has been a board member since 2005.

After graduating from Buffalo State College in 1994, Steve obtained his law degree from Emory University School of Law in 1999. Steve was born and raised near Buffalo, New York, and has lived in Atlanta since 1996. Steve is married to Vahn Chang Wagner, an attorney for the United States Department of Education, Office of Civil Rights. Steve is an avid runner and ice hockey fan.

Education

B.A., State University of New York College at Buffalo,
cum laude 1994
J.D., Emory University School of Law, 1999

Bar Admissions

Georgia, 1999
- Supreme Court of Georgia
- Georgia Court of Appeals
Federal
- Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals
- United States District Court, Northern District of Georgia

Professional Memberships

State Bar of Georgia
- Young Lawyers Division
American Bar Association
- Litigation Section
Atlanta Bar Association
- Labor and Employment Section
- Litigation Section
Atlanta Council of Younger Lawyers
- Board Member (2005-2007)
Federal Bar Association

Significant Reported Cases

The Levin Company, Inc. v. Walker 289 Ga.App. 299, 656 S.E.2d 588 (2008)

Walker v. Johnson, 278 Ga. App. 806, 630 S.E.2d 70 (2006)

Hill v. Filsoof, 274 Ga. App. 474 (2005).

Mil-Spec Industries, Inc. v. Pyrotechnic Specialties, Inc., 262 Ga. App. 582 (2003).

Articles and Publications

Daily Report cites Benjamin I. Fink and Steven A. Wagner for their work on fee award in Title VII case.

Personal Jurisdiction and the Internet - March 2007.

`Preserving Candor: The Hidden Danger from “Exceptions” to the Attorney- Client Privilege, in Attorney-Client Privilege in Civil Litigation, Protecting and Defending Confidentiality (3d ed. 2004).

Personal Jurisdiction and the Internet: Changing the Rules or Not?, Technology Law Section Newsletter, State Bar of Georgia, Winter 2003.

Speaking Engagements/Appearances

Contract Litigation CLE
Real Estate Contracts: Buyer-Seller Disputes and Their Remedies
August 26, 2010

Atlanta Bar Association
Co-Chair of Beer & CLE – The Life of A Trial.

Panelist, Real Property Foreclosure CLE, April 2008

Panelist, Georgia Contracts and Litigation CLE, August 2002.

Community Involvement

Special Olympics Young Leaders Advisory Council, Member

Honors

Judicial law clerk to the Honorable Charles A. Pannell, Jr.,
United States District Court, Northern District of Georgia,
2000-2002.