Christopher C. Steckbauer

Associate

Chris Steckbauer is an associate in Newmeyer Dillion’s Newport Beach office. He is an experienced trial attorney, having tried both jury and bench trials to verdict.  Additionally, Chris served as both chief prosecutor and defense counsel in numerous courts-martial and bench trials during his six years as a Judge Advocate in the United States Army just prior to joining the firm.  Since joining the firm, Chris quickly established himself as an invaluable litigation attorney and currently serves as the firm's Senior Associate.

Chris's current practice areas include business and real estate litigation.  He represents both individuals and entities throughout all phases of the pre-litigation and litigation process.  As a former military prosecutor and defense counsel, Chris joined the firm with extensive trial experience that set him above his peers.  Within his first few years of joining the firm, Chris had already tried both bench and jury trials to verdict across Orange County and Los Angeles, achieving favorable results and earning the praise of opposing counsel and judges.  He also brings the professionalism and collegiality of a military JAG officer, traits that allow him to effectively negotiate favorable resolutions with opposing parties in addition to granting him a commanding presence in any courtroom.

In addition to his trial experience, as both a civil litigator and a JAG officer, Chris was hand-selected to be the Army’s first lead attorney for network operations and cybersecurity, building the practice from scratch and teaching graduate level courses in cyber law to aspiring cyber Judge Advocates at The Judge Advocate General’s Legal Center and School.

With his military background and civil litigation experience, Chris excels at overseeing complex, high-visibility matters that require a team to ensure clients' needs are met and advanced at each step in the litigation process. His unique background offers the following skillsets that set him apart from his peers in the business litigation community:

• As a chief prosecutor and defense counsel, Chris established himself as a superior oral advocate in both the courtroom and alternate dispute resolution settings. His experience directing and cross-examining hundreds of witnesses, taking depositions, engaging in extensive motion practice, and delivering opening and closing arguments propels him into the highest echelon of young trial attorneys and makes him an immediate asset to any litigation team. Chris also developed a reputation as a problem solver and skilled negotiator with the ability to analyze and advocate for beneficial settlements based on client priorities.
• As the Army’s first lead attorney and subject matter expert for cybersecurity across the Army, Chris advised key stakeholders in the Army cyber community and proved to be an equally skilled legal advisor both inside and outside the courtroom. He also brings the interpersonal tact of a seasoned advisor in all client, opposing party, and third party engagements from his experience as the former deputy general counsel for an Army combat formation of over 4,000 Soldiers.