Steven R. Pounian | Of Counsel

spounian@kreindler.com 212.973.3477

Overview

While Steven Pounian’s litigation practice mainly focuses on aviation litigation, he also focuses on mass disaster cases, many of which are nationally reported on, including high-profile lawsuits like the September 11th terrorism litigation. Steven has authored countless articles demonstrating his vast experience litigating complicated cases.

We need discovery from Saudi Arabia. We're coming here for justice. They have the evidence; they have the witnesses. That's who we need to prove the case.
~ Steven Pounian | Attorney for the 9/11 victims and their families
Thumbnail of a Propublica article featuring a quote on the 911 Families v KSA lawsuit.
Kreindler attorney Steven Pounian is quoted for a ProPublica article about the 9/11 terrorism litigation case.
Attorney Steven Pounian has authored numerous articles like this one on federal preemption in aviation cases.

Several esteemed organizations have invited Steven to speak about aviation litigation. He has delivered papers and given lectures at America Bar Association (ABA) Conventions and National Institutes, the Association of Trial Lawyers of America Convention, New York State Bar Litigation Seminars and the Southern Methodist University Air Law Symposium. 


After many years of litigation, Steven, along with the plaintiffs' team, established liability against the Libyan government for its role in the 1988 terrorist plane bombing over Lockerbie, Scotland. We recovered over $2.7 billion, approximately $10 million for the family of each victim.

Steven has been involved in litigating numerous aviation crash cases involving commuter and military aircraft as well as related product liability cases. He has also appeared pro hac vice in several state and federal courts throughout the country. Notable aviation crash trials Steven has handled include the Korean Air Lines disaster and the USAF CT-43 crash in Croatia. Other significant cases include:

Steven graduated Magna Cum Laude from Georgetown University and earned his J.D. from New York University. While there, he was Senior Editor of the Review of Law and Social Change, a scholarly student publication dedicated to promoting creative solutions to social issues through law. 

Steven was elected to be Chair of the Aviation and Space law Committee of the ABA Tort and Insurance Practice Section (TIPS). He also served as Chair of the Trial Techniques Committee of ABA TIPS as well as the Vice-Chair of the Litigation Committee of ABA TIPS. Other roles include Court-appointed mediator in the Southern and Eastern Districts of New York and Court-appointed arbitrator in the Eastern District of New York. Honors include a full five star rating from Martindale-Hubbell® and a consistent listing as a New York Super Lawyer®.

Steven In the media
Articles by Steven
Awards & Events
  • Selected as 2020 Super Lawyers® 2013-2020
  • Awarded 5/5 Peer Reviewed Rating, Martindale-Hubbell®
  • Selected for New York City Best Lawyers Survey, 2017 - 2019
  • Selected for Trial Lawyers of the Year, Trial Lawyers for Public Justice Organization, 2009
  • Past Vice-Chair, Litigation Committee, American Bar Association, Tort and Insurance Practice Section
  • Past Chair, Aviation and Space Law Committee of the American Bar Association, Tort and Insurance Practice Section
  • Past Chair, Trial Techniques Committee of the American Bar Association, Tort and Insurance Practice Section
Education
  • New York University School of Law, New York City, NY, J.D. – 1980
  • Georgetown University, Washington DC, B.A. (Magna Cum Laude) – 1977
Bar Admissions
  • New York
  • United States District Courts for the Southern District of NY
  • United States District Courts for the Eastern District of NY
  • United States Federal Courts
  • United States Court of Appeals District of Columbia Circuit
  • United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit
  • United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit
  • United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit
  • United States Supreme Court