Phelps Dunbar LLP Logo
  • Services
  • Insights
  • Professionals
Phelps Dunbar LLP Logo
  • Services
  • Insights
  • Professionals
  • ABOUT US
  • LOCATIONS
  • SUSTAINABILITY
  • CAREERS
  • Practices
  • Industries
    Steve Tucker photograph

    Steve A. Tucker

    Senior Partner

    Birmingham
    205-716-5223
    steve.tucker@phelps.com
    Areas Of Focus
    LitigationToxic Tort Litigation

    Steve Tucker has represented Class I railroad clients for more than 30 years in a wide range of litigation matters, including toxic torts, crossing accidents, trespasser incidents, and claimed occupational injuries and illnesses. During that work, Steve has developed distinct knowledge in each of those areas, as well as in the areas of industrial hygiene, locomotive event recorders, and railroad law. Having served as lead or co-counsel in several appellate cases in the railroad industry, he is able to leverage this knowledge and court know-how to achieve successful resolutions for his clients.

    Experience

    • Successfully defended first three Federal Employers’ Liability Act cases alleging asbestos-related disease that were tried to verdicts in Alabama
    • Successfully defended first Federal Employers’ Liability Act case alleging asbestos-related disease that was tried to a verdict in Mississippi. The result in the case led to the resolution or dismissal of more than 100 cases that had been pending at the time of trial
    • Working as lead or co-counsel, obtained summary judgment in two landmark premises liability cases
    • Obtained defense verdict in seminal Federal Employers’ Liability Act claim in which railroad employee claimed repetitive stress injury resulting in two surgeries
    • Obtained very favorable trial verdicts in separate strict liability claims. In one, the verdict resulted in no pay to plaintiff. In the other, the verdict was for about 10% of plaintiff’s requested damages
    • Working as lead or co-counsel, has obtained numerous summary judgments in crossing cases since 1995 in Alabama
    • Successfully appealed adverse jury verdict in crossing case. Verdict was reversed on appeal and judgment entered in favor of railroad with the railroad permitted to recover its own damages from the collision. The decision has greatly reduced crossing litigation in Alabama since 2011
    • As co-counsel, obtained judgment and opinion from Alabama Supreme Court adopting and enforcing the applicability of federal preemption in crossing cases in Alabama.
    • Working as lead or co-counsel, has obtained numerous summary judgments in crossing cases since 1995 in Alabama
    • Successfully appealed adverse jury verdict in crossing case. Verdict was reversed on appeal and judgment entered in favor of railroad with the railroad permitted to recover its own damages from the collision. The decision has greatly reduced crossing litigation in Alabama since 2011
    • As co-counsel, obtained judgment and opinion from Alabama Supreme Court adopting and enforcing the applicability of federal preemption in crossing cases in Alabama.

    Insights

    • August 15, 2024

      185 Phelps Lawyers Chosen for Best Lawyers in America, 20 Named "Lawyer of the Year," 26 Added to “Ones to Watch” List…

    • August 17, 2023

      Best Lawyers in America Selects 208 Phelps Lawyers, Names 12 "Lawyer of the Year," Adds 47 to "Ones to Watch" List…

    More +
    • August 18, 2022

      Best Lawyers in America Selects 158 Phelps Lawyers, Names 10 "Lawyer of the Year," Adds 40 to "Ones to Watch" List…

    Recognition

    • Personal Injury Litigation (2007-2025), Mass Tort Litigation/Class Action - Defendants (2013-2025), Railroad Law (2007-2025), “Lawyer of the Year” Railroad Law (2014, 2020, 2022, 2025), The Best Lawyers in America
    • AV Preeminent Peer Rated, Martindale-Hubbell
    • Personal Injury Litigation (2007-2025), Mass Tort Litigation/Class Action - Defendants (2013-2025), Railroad Law (2007-2025), “Lawyer of the Year” Railroad Law (2014, 2020, 2022, 2025), The Best Lawyers in America
    • AV Preeminent Peer Rated, Martindale-Hubbell

    Education

    • University of Kentucky College of Law, J.D., with distinction, 1984
    • The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, M.Div., 1979
    • Samford University, B.A., cum laude, 1974
    • University of Kentucky College of Law, J.D., with distinction, 1984
    • The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, M.Div., 1979
    • Samford University, B.A., cum laude, 1974

    Credentials

    • Alabama
    • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit
    • U.S. District Court, Northern District of Alabama
    • U.S. District Court, Middle District of Alabama
    • Alabama
    • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit
    • U.S. District Court, Northern District of Alabama
    • U.S. District Court, Middle District of Alabama

    Memberships and Affiliations

    • Alabama Bar Association
    • American Bar Association
    • National Association of Railroad Trial Counsel
    • Defense Research Institute
    • Alabama Defense Lawyers Association
    • Alabama Bar Association
    • American Bar Association
    • National Association of Railroad Trial Counsel
    • Defense Research Institute
    • Alabama Defense Lawyers Association
    • Overview
    • Experience
    • Insights
    • Recognition
    • Education
    • Credentials
    • Memberships and Affiliations

    Related Services

    • Litigation
    • Toxic Tort Litigation
    Stay connectedReceive our latest thinking on topics you care about.SIGN UP NOW
    • ©2025 Phelps Dunbar LLP. All Rights Reserved
    • Lawyer Advertising
    • Privacy & Disclaimer
    • Contact Us
    © 2025 Phelps Dunbar LLP. All Rights Reserved