Stephen C. Fraser

Steve Fraser is one of Southern California’s most recognizable civil litigation trial attorneys, secondary to his involvement in many high-profile lawsuits. He specializes in all aspects of professional liability/medical negligence, long-term care, business torts, catastrophic personal injury and entertainment matters. His practice has largely revolved around a wide range of jury trials and arbitrations. With over 70 trials under his belt, Steve received induction into the American Board of Trial Advocates, early in his career and has been recently promoted to the senior rank of “Advocate.”

Steve currently serves as co-lead trial counsel for the University of Southern California on the Jane Doe v George Tyndall M.D and USC involving over 800 state court consolidated cases and the John Doe v Dennis Kelly M.D. and USC suits brought on behalf of over 60 former patients.

His high-profile trials have resulted in Steve being featured on network and Southern California television, such as CNN’s Headline News with Nancy Grace, KCAL 9, Fox 11, as well as in print including the ABC News, MSNBC News, USA Today, LA Times. Some of his notable cases, all of which have resulted in favorable verdicts or dismissals of his clients, include:

• Amy Yasbeck v. Providence St. Joseph’s Medical Center et al. where the family of actor John Ritter brought a wrongful death suit against 10 healthcare providers;
• Rick Telles & Brass Ring Entertainment, LLC vs. Cristobal Abrego, Mark Cronin, Mindring Productions, LLC, et al. wherein suit brought on behalf of Client television producer against his former reality TV producing partners for breach of contract and fiduciary duty and fraud, resulting in award in excess of $8 million for client.
• Irena Medavoy v. Arnold Klein, M.D. & Allergan, Inc. wherein the actress and wife of a famous movie producer sued Beverly Hills dermatologist to the stars and the makers of Botox for alleged injuries;
• Cufre v. Methodist Hospital of Southern California & Michael Agron, M.D. wherein the family of famous radio personality from Buenos Aires, Argentina sued Mr. Cufre’s healthcare providers for wrongful death stemming from complications of cholera.
• Ed McMahon v. Neel Anand M.D., et al. in which the Tonight Show sidekick brought suit against his neurosurgeon for alleged negligent spinal surgery.
• Marianne Strader v. Regents of The University of California, et al. (2020)

Steve takes great pride in being chosen to defend some the finest physicians and healthcare providers in the country. When not in trial, Steve serves as advisor to private individuals, businesses of all types and sizes, large insurance companies, hospitals, healthcare systems, and to those in the entertainment and sports worlds. Representative clients include, The Regents of the University of California, USC Keck Medical Center and The Doctors of USC, The Medical Protective Insurance Company, Dignity Health (formerly Catholic Healthcare West), Sunrise Senior Living, Emeritus Senior Living, and Optima Healthcare Insurance Services.

As a senior partner and the Firm’s lead trial attorney, Steve carries the responsibility for evaluating cases scheduled for trial on behalf of the Firm. Steve also serves as an educator and supervisor of other lawyers and staff members throughout the Firm’s two office locations.