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Oct 30 2025
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Scheef & Stone Partner Michael C. Smith Co-Moderates “Leadership from the Bench” Panel at the Eastern District of Texas Bench Bar Conference

By News & Events

Scheef & Stone partner Michael C. Smith co-moderated the panel “Leadership from the Bench: Perspectives from the Texas Chiefs” at the 2025 Eastern District of Texas (EDTX) Bench Bar Conference, held October 23–24.

The session brought together the Chief Judges from the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals and the four Texas federal judicial districts—a rare and distinguished panel offering unified insights on leadership, court administration, and the evolving challenges facing the judiciary.

Panelists included:
• Chief Judge Jennifer Elrod, Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals
• Chief Judge Randy Crane, Southern District of Texas
• Chief Judge David Godbey, Northern District of Texas
• Chief Judge Alia Moses, Western District of Texas
• Chief Judge Amos Mazzant, Eastern District of Texas

Co-Moderators: Michael C. Smith (Scheef & Stone, LLP) and Eric Findlay (Findlay Craft, LLP)

The panel explored how judicial leadership impacts docket management, administrative efficiency, and the public’s trust in the courts. According to the official program description, the discussion offered “an invaluable opportunity for attorneys, judges, and court professionals to gain a deeper understanding of leadership from the bench and the direction of the courts across the state.”

Scheef & Stone’s Caroline Brown and Keith Rawlins also represented the firm at the conference. Brown took detailed notes from sessions on litigation management and AI ethics—including Mark Lanier’s “Ten Commandments of AI Use”—while Rawlins connected with colleagues and members of the judiciary on current trends and emerging issues.

The EDTX Bench Bar Conference remains one of Texas’s premier forums for collaboration among judges, attorneys, and in-house counsel, advancing excellence in advocacy and understanding between the bench and bar.

Oct 24 2025
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Scheef & Stone’s Matt Bracy Presented at the CCBA Civil Litigation/Appellate Meeting and NASP 2025 Conference in Hollywood, FL

By News & Events

Scheef & Stone partner Matt Bracy recently shared practical insights at two October programs focused on litigation strategy and the structured-settlement marketplace.

Last Thursday, October 16th, Matt joined Josh Wahl for a virtual Civil Litigation/Appellate Section program hosted by the Collin County Bar Association. Titled “In-House Counsel Perspectives on Litigation,” the session examined how corporate legal teams assess risk, manage preservation and discovery, align outside-counsel strategy, and measure outcomes from intake through appeal. The program was offered to CCBA members and guests.

On October 23, Matt served as moderator and speaker at the National Association of Settlement Purchasers (NASP) Annual Conference at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Florida. His session, “The Early History of the Secondary Market for Structured Settlements,” featured panelists Earl Nesbitt (Rogge Dunn Group, PC), Patricia LaBorde (General Counsel, Blackstreet Capital Holdings), and Jason Sutherland (COO & General Counsel, Alpha Growth PLC). The NASP conference (October 22–23) included a full day of programming with networking receptions.

For additional information about CCBA programming, visit the Collin County Bar Association; for NASP conference details, see NASP’s event page.

Oct 15 2025
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Scheef & Stone’s John G. Fischer, P.E., Recognized with Martindale-Hubbell® Platinum Client Champion

By Attorney Spotlight, News & Events

Scheef & Stone congratulates Shareholder John G. Fischer, P.E. on receiving the Platinum Client Champion designation from Martindale-Hubbell®. The recognition is based on verified client feedback collected through Lawyers.com and Martindale.com and reflects consistently high overall ratings for client service.

The Platinum level is the highest tier within the Client Champion program and is designed to highlight attorneys who demonstrate responsiveness, communication, and dependable results in day-to-day practice.

John G. Fischer, P.E., is a registered U.S. patent attorney and licensed professional engineer with more than two decades of experience representing clients across North America, Europe, and Asia. He tries and defends patent and trade secret matters in federal courts nationwide and builds and prosecutes complex patent portfolios with enforcement and commercialization in mind. A named inventor on 20+ U.S. patents and a former manufacturing executive, he blends hands-on engineering (mechanical, electronics, oil & gas) with business acumen to negotiate licenses and technology agreements that have generated more than $100 million in client value. His honors include AV Preeminent® (Martindale-Hubbell), Texas Super Lawyers (2012–2025), The Best Lawyers in America©, and D Magazine’s Best Lawyers® in Dallas.

About the distinction: Martindale-Hubbell® Client Champion awards recognize attorneys whose profiles reflect a high volume of positively reviewed client experiences and a strong average rating on the Martindale/Lawyers.com platforms.

Oct 10 2025
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Founding Partner C. John Scheef III Leads Old Maroon RFC Annual Meeting, Advancing Support for Texas A&M Rugby

By Attorney Spotlight, News & Events

Scheef & Stone Founding Partner C. John Scheef III—president of Old Maroon RFC, the charitable fundraising association of Texas A&M rugby alumni—addressed alumni, current players, and parents at the organization’s annual meeting in College Station on September 20. Held alongside the Alumni vs. Students match; the program featured a luncheon catered by Cooper’s BBQ and the election of Old Maroon’s Board of Directors.

In his remarks, Scheef outlined Old Maroon’s mission, the composition of its board, and the planned use of donations for the 2025–26 school year and rugby season. He also provided program updates, including the milestone hiring of the team’s first full-time head coach, “Tui” Osborne.

Old Maroon RFC brings Aggie rugby alumni together to support the current program through fundraising and engagement. For more information, visit oldmaroonrugby.com.

Oct 06 2025
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Scheef & Stone Secures $1.56M Judgment for Investors in Multilevel Marketing Venture

By News & Events

Scheef & Stone secured a significant trial victory in the U.S. District Court for the District of Nevada arising from a dispute involving an investment in a MLM video streaming venture.

After a three-day bench trial in Las Vegas, the Court entered judgment for the firm’s investor clients totaling $810,445.47 in damages and attorney’s fees.

Among other things, the Court found in favor of the Plaintiffs on their claims for common-law fraud and securities fraud.
The Court further concluded that the multilevel marketing entity was the alter ego of its two principal owners, subjecting the owners to personal liability for the acts of the corporate entity.

Following a subsequent hearing, the Court awarded an additional $750,000 in punitive damages, citing the Defendants’ contradictory testimony, incomplete accounting, and the need to deter similar misconduct.

The case was tried by Partner Brent Kugler with the assistance of local Nevada counsel. Scheef & Stone Associates Haley Jones and Abbye West provided valuable support preparing the case for trial.

For media or client inquiries about Scheef & Stone’s trial and direct selling capabilities, please contact Brent Kugler or our Litigation team.

Oct 06 2025
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The Advocate Publishes Michael C. Smith on Proportionality in Complex Discovery (Fall 2025)

By Attorney Spotlight, News & Events

We’re pleased to share that Scheef & Stone Partner Michael C. Smith has been published in the Fall 2025 issue of The Advocate (State Bar of Texas Litigation Section), with an article titled “Proportionality in Discovery for Complex Cases: Understanding the 2015 Federal Amendment and its Real-World Application.”

Michael explains how the 2015 amendment to the Fed. R. Civ. P. 26(b)(1) moved proportionality to the center of discovery and what that means in practice for complex matters. He walks through the six proportionality factors and offers practical guidance—planning targeted discovery at Rule 26(f), documenting burden with specifics, leveraging technology-assisted review, cooperating on scope, using staged discovery and sampling, and embedding proportionality alongside relevance in analysis of every request and response.

Based in our Marshall office, Michael focuses on complex commercial litigation in state and federal courts. He is the editor of O’Connor’s Federal Rules: Civil Trials, a former chair of the Texas Bar Journal Board of Editors and the State Bar of Texas Litigation Section, and currently serves as vice chair of the @State Bar of Texas Intellectual Property Law Section. He also authors EDTexweblog.com and Eastern District & Texas IP Law Blog.

Read the Fall 2025 “Complex Litigation” issue of The Advocate to see the full article: https://texasbar.informz.net/texasbar/data/images/PID25.pdf

Sep 23 2025
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Cameron Ace Frysinger to Present 2025 Texas Real Estate Legislative Update to CCBA Real Estate Section

By News & Events

Scheef & Stone is pleased to announce that Cameron Ace Frysinger, an associate whose practice focuses on taxation, banking, corporate and business law, and creditors’ rights, will present a 2025 Texas Real Estate Legislative Update for the Collin County Bar Association Real Estate Section on Friday, September 26, from 12:00 to 1:00 p.m. The program will be held at Kelly’s Craft Tavern, 3191 Preston Road, Frisco.

Cameron advises on business formation, debt financing, and private offerings for operating companies and funds—including traditional real estate development and niche strategies in health and technology—by drafting disclosure documents and party agreements. His background also includes research into IRS regulations and tax litigation strategies, giving him a practical lens on how statutory changes affect transactions, financing structures, and risk allocation. The session will distill key enactments from the 89th Texas Legislature impacting real property practice and outline immediate steps practitioners can take to update forms, diligence checklists, and client guidance.

RSVP: Please register via the CCBA event page by Wednesday, September 24, at 5:00 p.m.

Event link: www.collincountybar.org/events/event/28439

Attendance note: CCBA general and section meetings are open to CCBA members and guests of members. Non-members may join CCBA or attend as a guest of a current member pursuant to CCBA policy.

 

Sep 10 2025
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What Direct Sales Companies Must Prepare For

By News & Events

The legal landscape is shifting for direct sales companies—and the FTC is rewriting the rules.

In the latest column of Direct Selling News, Scheef & Stone Partner Brent Kugler breaks down three legal threats MLM businesses should prepare for in 2026.

One of the biggest changes is how the FTC is reviewing online enrollment processes. In recent cases, companies were cited for failing to clearly present contract terms, cancellation policies, and auto-renewal clauses before charging consumers. Brent explains that hyperlinking to policies or referencing terms elsewhere is no longer sufficient. Full documents must be presented and reviewed at the point of sign-up.

Brent also highlights the agency’s evolving approach to earnings claims. The FTC’s proposed Earnings Claim Rule and 2024 Staff Report requires companies to substantiate every income statement they share—and make that data publicly available. More than just publishing earnings averages, companies must include information on participant expenses, update IDS annually, and enforce compliance policies when misleading claims are made.

Finally, the FTC’s definition of a pyramid scheme is becoming increasingly subjective. Instead of focusing on actual behavior, the agency is evaluating what participants could earn based on how a compensation plan is structured. In FTC v. Neora, Brent notes, the FTC dismissed the company’s actual operations and focused instead on the theoretical rights participants had to receive payments—marking a major departure from prior legal standards.

This article offers practical guidance for companies navigating unclear waters—and Brent’s experience, both as former General Counsel and regulatory counsel, brings valuable clarity to an evolving space.

Read the full piece on here in DSN’s September/October issue.

Learn more Brent and his regulatory work here.

Sep 04 2025
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Scheef & Stone Celebrates Women Leaders at 2025 Women in Business Summit

By News & Events

Scheef & Stone is honored to sponsor Local Profile’s 2025 Women in Business Summit, a premier North Texas event uniting 500 of the region’s most influential women for a day of inspiration, insight, and meaningful networking.

The Summit, now in its 24th year, features keynote speaker Suzy Batiz, Founder of Poo~Pourri, and panels of trailblazing leaders sharing stories of innovation and impact.

As a sponsor, Scheef & Stone attorneys will attend and participate in the event on September 12, continuing the firm’s mission to support and empower women across industries. In August, attorneys Kelly Kleist, Robin Barnes, and Shirley Rose represented the firm at the VIP Pre-Party celebrating the kickoff of this highly anticipated gathering.

When: Friday, September 12 at 8:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Where: Hilton Granite Park Hotel

Learn more about the Summit: Women in Business 2025

Aug 21 2025
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Scheef & Stone Attorneys Earn Recognition in 2026 Editions of The Best Lawyers in America® and Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch®

By News & Events

Scheef & Stone is pleased to announce that 13 of our lawyers have been recognized for excellence in the newly released 32nd edition of The Best Lawyers in America® and sixth edition of Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® in America. Selection to these publications is based entirely on an extensive, confidential peer-review survey in which leading attorneys evaluate the legal abilities of their colleagues. No attorney or firm pays a fee to be considered.

The Best Lawyers in America® (2026 Edition) includes:

Roger A. Crabb: Employment Law – Management

Kelly Crawford: Commercial Litigation

Michael L. Knapek: Commercial Litigation; Insurance Law; Litigation – Insurance

Matt Bracy: Commercial Litigation

Mitch Little: Arbitration; Litigation – Real Estate

Mark Nielsen: Trademark Law

John Scheef: Commercial Litigation; Construction Law; Litigation – Construction

Mark Simon: Employment Law – Management; Litigation – Labor & Employment

Bill E. Stone III: Business Organizations (including LLCs and Partnerships); Corporate Law; Mergers & Acquisitions Law

Michael C. Smith: Litigation – Intellectual Property; Litigation – Patent; Patent Law

Jane C. Taber: Corporate Law; Mergers & Acquisitions Law

Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® in America (2026 Edition)

Steven Coffin: Commercial Litigation

Logan Miller: Commercial Litigation

 

The firm observes that this broad range of recognitions—spanning litigation, transactional, employment, and intellectual-property matters—reflects Scheef & Stone’s depth of talent and the confidence peers place in its attorneys’ work across the business-law spectrum.

About Best Lawyers

Since its first U.S. edition in 1983, Best Lawyers has become widely regarded as a definitive guide to legal excellence. For the 2026 research cycle, more than 23 million votes were analyzed for The Best Lawyers in America® and more than 4 million for Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch®. Learn more at bestlawyers.com.

Scheef & Stone congratulates all of this year’s honorees and remains committed to delivering the high-caliber counsel that earned these peer-driven recognitions.