Wood Smith Henning & Berman proudly announces that founding partner Stephen Henning was awarded the prestigious Legend of an Era Award at the West Coast Casualty Construction Defect Seminar, held May 15-16, 2025, at the Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, California.
The Legend of an Era Award honors an individual who has achieved enduring, legendary status through remarkable contributions, leadership, and advocacy within the construction defect community. The award recognizes those who inspire, contribute, advocate, and influence for the betterment of the community. This latest recognition adds to an already distinguished history of awards from West Coast Casualty. Henning was previously the first defense attorney ever to receive the Jerold S. Oliver Award, a high honor given for outstanding services and contributions to the construction community.
Firmwide managing partner Stewart Reid commented, "This award is a testament to Steve's lifelong dedication to advocacy, mentorship, and leadership. He has not only exceled in the defending construction professionals throughout his career, but he has also inspired countless professionals along the way."
In addition to this distinguished honor, a donation will be made in Henning's name to the seminar's designated charity, which for 2025 is the Los Angeles Firemen's Relief Association, supporting firefighters and their families.
"I am deeply honored to receive the Legend of an Era award," said Henning. "To be recognized by my peers and to know this award helps support such a worthy cause is truly humbling. It is more than a professional accolade. Sharing this moment with a cause close to my heart, makes it even more meaningful. Losing my home in the recent Los Angeles County fires brought the work I have done for the past few decades front and center. My background working with construction professionals gives me a unique understanding of all that recovery requires from both a logistical and human perspective. The collective expertise of the construction and legal industries will be vital in moving forward, and I truly believe our work will have a lasting and meaningful impact on the people and neighborhoods who need us most. I share this recognition with everyone in our industry working tirelessly to improve and strengthen the construction defect community."
WSHB executive chairman & co-founder Dan Berman added, "This award captures everything Steve represents- integrity, innovation, and a tireless drive to make the construction and legal communities better for all. We are proud of his accomplishments and excited to celebrate this well-deserved honor."
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Experience the power of a proven industry leader in the law. Wood Smith Henning & Berman (WSHB) is renowned globally for our exceptional trial results and expertise in handling complex litigation. With our nationwide network of over 500 lawyers across 42 office locations, we are dedicated to providing comprehensive litigation and counsel to both public and private companies. From start-ups to Fortune 100 corporations, we deliver unrivaled legal representation that consistently achieves favorable outcomes for our clients.
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