Steve Wood is one of Delaware’s most experienced trial lawyers. He has litigated hundreds of cases in Delaware’s Superior and Chancery Courts, and in Federal District Court, involving a variety of subject matters, including misappropriation of trade secrets under the Uniform Trade Secrets Act, unjust enrichment, allegations of Federal civil rights violations against cities and counties, white collar criminal defense, and shareholder appraisal rights. Steve’s long career at the Delaware Department of Justice (DOJ) and the extensive network he maintains enable him to successfully represent clients facing investigation by the Delaware DOJ and the U.S. Department of Justice.
During his decades of service as a Deputy Attorney General with the Delaware DOJ, Steve became the Department’s most senior and experienced trial attorney. He was lead prosecutor in hundreds of jury trials, including dozens of complex homicide investigations and cases, many of which garnered regional or national media coverage. In recognition of those achievements, Steve is one of only four prosecutors in the Department’s history that has been honored by placement on its Wall of Excellence. He has served as a member of the Delaware Supreme Court Court’s Advisory Committee on the Delaware Uniform Rules of Evidence.
In addition to the DOJ, Steve has developed extensive contacts within state government, and represents clients in a variety of investigative and regulatory matters. Steve headed DOJ’s Criminal Division as State Prosecutor from 2001 through 2007. He also served as the DOJ’s legislative liaison to the Delaware General Assembly. His duties in that capacity included legislative drafting, analysis and advocacy. He was assigned to the Homicide Unit from 2010 through 2016. Over the course of his career, he has developed a particular expertise in cases involving complex investigations, as well as psychiatric and other medical or scientific defenses.
Steve is a fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers, one of only 30 Delaware members of this national organization whose membership is limited to only those with a minimum of 15 years of trial experience who have demonstrated a mastery of the art of trial advocacy. He is an experienced trial advocacy instructor, having completed the National Institute for Trial Advocacy’s (NITA) Teacher Training Program. He works extensively as a NITA instructor throughout the U.S., and frequently leads other lawyers and law students in discussions concerning trial technique topics including direct and cross examination, opening and closing statements, expert witnesses and evidence.
As an academic, Steve has been a member of the out-of-town faculty at the Emory University School of Law Trial Techniques Program since 1994, and he is a faculty adjunct at the Rutgers-Camden School of Law’s trial advocacy program. He has served as an instructor at trial techniques programs offered by the Widener University School of Law, the Hofstra University School of Law, Equal Justice Works, the International Society of Barristers, the Oakland County (MI) Office of the Prosecuting Attorney, the New Jersey Office of Law Guardian, the Maryland Office of the Public Defender, the Florida Attorney General’s Office, and the Philadelphia Bar Foundation.
