Stephen F. Coxhead
Bowman and Brooke LLP
Recognized for
Aviation & Aerospace Law
The Elite Counsel Perspective
Steve’s formidable aviation advocacy spans crash litigation at trial and on appeal, including a fully vindicating decision in Italy’s highest court.
Steve’s formidable aviation advocacy spans crash litigation at trial and on appeal, including a fully vindicating decision in Italy’s highest court.
Overview
Steve Coxhead is a trial attorney with more than 25 years of experience defending product liability claims. Aviation is a significant focus of his practice: he represents manufacturers of aircraft, airframes and component parts in litigation arising from crashes, including mass-casualty and wrongful death claims. His aviation work spans general aviation and commercial aircraft, with matters arising from accidents in South America, Central America and the Caribbean.
Steve has served as both trial and appellate counsel, handling cases through all phases of litigation. In one matter arising from the largest air disaster in Italian aviation history, he represented a major airplane manufacturer, obtained decisions in the client’s favor in the lower courts and ultimately secured a decision fully vindicating the client in Italy’s highest court. He has also spoken at national and international conferences about defenses available to aviation manufacturers and the potential problem of counterfeit parts in the worldwide aviation supply chain.
Beyond aviation, Steve represents manufacturers of heavy equipment and industrial machinery in the electrical and mining industries. His product liability work includes electrocution and amputation injury claims, as well as general liability claims. These matters have called on him to address the technical features of products across several industries while representing clients at trial and on appeal.
Steve has served on nonprofit boards in South Florida, including those of the Coral Gables Community Foundation, the League of Prosecutors and the Miami Children Hospital Founder’s Society.
Education
- Stetson University College of Law, J.D., 1995
- University of Florida, B.A., 1990
Admissions
Bar Admissions
- Florida, 1995
Court Admissions
- U.S. Supreme Court
- U.S. Court of Appeals, Eleventh Circuit
- U.S. District Court, Northern District of Florida
- U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Middle District of Florida
- U.S. District Court, Southern District of Florida
Honors & Recognition
- Chambers USA
—Named in Nationwide Aviation Litigation, 2026
—Named for Florida Litigation: Product Liability, 2026 - Lexology Index
—Transport: Aviation Contentious 2017 – 2026
—Product Regulation & Liability: Product Liability Defence, 2026
Professional Associations
- Defense Research Institute
- Florida Defense Lawyers Association
- Association of Defense Trial Lawyers
- Product Liability Advisory Council
- International Association of Defense Counsel
- American Bar Association
- Miami-Dade Bar
- Center for Orthopedic Research and Education of the University of Miami
- Coral Gables Community Foundation
- League of Prosecutors
- Miami Citizen's Board
- Miami Children's Hospital Founder's Society
- Miami Project to Cure Paralysis
Speaking Engagements
- "Celebrity Trials: Trial Techniques and Tactics," Panelist, International Association of Defense Counsel 2024 Midyear Meeting, February 2024
- "Liability of Manufacturers of Aircraft and Component Parts," Co-Presenter, McGill University Conference on International Aviation Law, Liability, Insurance and Finance, October 2018
- "General Aviation Revitalization Act – Was Congress Right to Pass This Act?" Co-Presenter, ABA Aviation Litigation Seminar, June 2014