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Three Scheef & Stone Attorneys Successfully Defeat Four Motions to Dismiss in Claw Back Case

By News & Events

Scheef & Stone congratulates Kelly Crawford, Peter Lewis and David Wills who succeeded in defeating four motions to dismiss in a case pending in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas to recover $12 million plus in commissions from brokers in a metals receivership.

On March 8, Judge Brantley Starr issued an opinion denying all four motions to dismiss, allowing Kelly Crawford, as the court appointed receiver, to continue his attempt to claw back $12 million in commissions from brokers who allegedly directed more than 1,600 elderly people into a precious metals Ponzi scheme, ruling the receiver adequately pled the brokers benefited from the scheme regardless of their knowledge of the accused fraudsters’ actions.

The case Crawford et al. v Bleeden stems from a 2020 case lodged by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) and 30 states against Los Angeles-based precious metals dealers Lucas Asher and Simon Batashvili. According to the CFTC, the dealers engaged in a $185 million nationwide scheme to deceive elderly investors into buying fraudulently inflated gold and silver bullion.

Law360 featured the victory in an article that ran on March 8.

Scheef & Stone Partner Elected a Fellow by the Texas Bar Foundation

By News & Events

Heather KayScheef & Stone is pleased to announce that Heather Kay has been elected a Fellow by the Texas Bar Foundation. Fellows are selected because of their outstanding professional achievements and their commitment to the improvement of the justice system in Texas.

Each year, only one-third of one percent of Texas lawyers are invited to become Texas Bar Foundation Fellows. Once nominees are selected, they must be elected by the Texas Bar Foundation board of trustees. Election is a mark of distinction and recognition of contributions to the legal profession.

A partner in the Frisco, Texas office, Heather practices on the firm’s BankingCorporate & BusinessReal Estate, and Securities & Finance teams, with a focus on matters involving transactional banking and real estate law. She is experienced in all aspects of lending transactions and real estate transactions, such as documenting and negotiating complex financial transactions, including U.S. Small Business Administration loans, handling debt collection matters on behalf of creditors, and researching regulatory issues. She also has experience with real estate acquisition transactions and leasing transactions.

Heather is a member of the Texas Association of Bank Counsel and Collin County Women’s Association. She earned her J.D., cum laude, from Oklahoma City University School of Law and her B.S. from the University of North Texas.

Scheef & Stone Elevates Heather Kay to Partner

By News & Events

Heather KayScheef & Stone is pleased to announce that, effective Jan. 1, 2023, Heather Kay has been promoted to partner.

“Heather is a talented practitioner, respected leader in her field, and unwavering client advocate who lives out the core values of our firm,” said John Scheef. “We are proud of her successes and pleased to welcome her to the ranks of partner.”

Heather practices on the firm’s Banking, Corporate & Business, Real Estate, and Securities & Finance teams, with a focus on matters involving transactional banking and real estate law. She is experienced in all aspects of lending transactions and real estate transactions, such as documenting and negotiating complex financial transactions, including U.S. Small Business Administration loans, handling debt collection matters on behalf of creditors, and researching regulatory issues. She also has experience with real estate acquisition transactions and leasing transactions.

Heather is a member of the Texas Association of Bank Counsel and Collin County Women’s Association. She earned her J.D., cum laude, from Oklahoma City University School of Law and her B.S. from the University of North Texas.