News & Events

Scheef & Stone is proud to mark the fifth anniversary of its Marshall, Texas office, a milestone that reflects the firm’s continued growth and commitment to serving clients throughout East Texas.

The Marshall office officially opened in 2021, expanding the firm’s footprint and strengthening its presence in the region. A ribbon-cutting ceremony commemorated the occasion, attended by founding partners Bill Stone, Kelly Crawford, and John Scheef, as well as partner Michael Smith.

Located in a historic downtown building, once home to a neighborhood shoe store, the Marshall office blends local character with the firm’s forward-looking vision. The thoughtfully restored space reflects Scheef & Stone’s dedication not only to legal excellence, but also to becoming part of the fabric of the communities it serves.

Over the past five years, the Marshall office has provided strategic legal counsel to businesses and individuals across East Texas, reinforcing the firm’s reputation for integrity, professionalism, and results-driven advocacy.

Scheef & Stone, LLP is proud to announce that 13 of its attorneys have been recognized in D Magazine’s 2026 Best Lawyers list. This prestigious annual honors North Texas legal professionals based on extensive peer nominations, categorical evaluations, and an independent review process.

This year’s recognition spans a diverse range of practice areas—from high-stakes litigation and intellectual property to complex real estate and corporate transactions—reflecting the depth of expertise within the firm.

The 2026 Honorees
We congratulate the following attorneys for their inclusion in this year’s list:

C. John Scheef III – Construction, Real Estate, Construction and Real Estate Litigation
William “Bill” Stone – Business Transactions, M&A, Corporate & Business Law
Robert M. Bolton – Tax Planning
Rebekah Steely Brooker – Estate Planning and Administration, Probate, Trust and Asset Protection Planning, Probate Litigation
John Gregory Fischer – Patent Prosecution Attorney and licensed professional engineer with over 20 U.S. patents of his own
Peter Lewis – Business Reorganizations, Creditors’ Rights, Business Litigation, and Business Transactions
Patrick Schurr – Bankruptcy & Litigation
Matt Bracy – Corporate & Business Law
Mitch Little – Securities Fraud & Complex Litigation
Roger A. Crabb – Corporate & Business Law
Mark David Nielsen – Intellectual Property
Chase Garrett – Real Estate & Business Litigation
Keith Christopher Rawlins – Intellectual Property

A Philosophy of Advocacy and Service
At Scheef & Stone, legal excellence is driven by a commitment to the people and businesses we represent. For many of our honorees, this recognition is a reflection of the guiding principles they bring to the office every day.

On the Burden of Representation:
Partner Mitch Little, who also serves in the Texas House of Representatives, views the courtroom as a place of profound responsibility. “Bearing other people’s burdens is an honor,” Little shared. “Every day, I get to use the gifts God gave me to solve people’s problems.” This sentiment is echoed by Patrick Schurr, whose practice is rooted in a family legacy of service: “The law allows me to interact with people, help them solve their problems, and honor my parents’ memory.”

On Strategic Discipline:
In complex litigation and intellectual property, precision is paramount. Chase Garrett relies on a disciplined, evidence-based approach, noting, “It only matters what I can prove.” Similarly, Keith Rawlins emphasizes the importance of long-term reliability: “Be extraordinary amongst the extraordinary, consistently over time. Count me in.”

On Collaborative Growth:
For our corporate and intellectual property teams, the focus is on building sustainable success for clients. Matt Bracy credits the firm’s collaborative environment for achieving smart results, while Mark David Nielsen highlights his passion for the entrepreneurial spirit: “I am passionate about supporting energetic, dedicated entrepreneurs as they build and grow their businesses.” Throughout every transaction, Roger A. Crabb remains focused on equity: “I work to achieve the most fair and balanced result for all parties.”

Scheef & Stone congratulates our 2026 honorees and thanks our clients and colleagues for their continued trust. We are proud of the dedication, professionalism, and integrity these 13 attorneys bring to the Texas legal community.

For more information about D Magazine’s 2026 Best Lawyers list, please visit //productions.dmagazine.com/best-lawyers-in-dallas/.

Scheef & Stone, LLP is proud to sponsor the upcoming North Texas CEO Breakfast hosted by The Entrepreneurship Institute, taking place on Tuesday, May 12, 2026, from 8:00 to 10:00 a.m. at Pierpont Communications in Dallas. Scheef & Stone partner Matt Bracy will be speaking on the panel as part of the program.

Centered on the theme, “The Power of Early: How to Own Your Exit — Not Just Survive It,” the session will bring together business owners and executives for a focused discussion on one of the most overlooked aspects of leadership: planning for a successful exit.

While many entrepreneurs dedicate years to building their businesses, far fewer take a proactive approach to transitioning out of them. This program reframes exit planning as a strategic advantage—one that can increase enterprise value, protect personal wealth, and create long-term flexibility.

Attendees will gain practical insights, including:

• How to define and align with an ideal exit strategy
• Common pitfalls business owners face when planning too late
• Strategies to strengthen business value while maintaining future options
• A shift from reactive decision-making to intentional ownership

The event is designed for business owners who may not be ready to exit today, but recognize the importance of planning ahead to avoid unnecessary risk and missed opportunities.

Scheef & Stone’s involvement reflects the firm’s continued commitment to supporting business leaders at every stage of growth—from formation to transition.

Join and register now on www.tei.net/focused-breakfasts/schedule/.

Brent Kugler, Partner at Scheef & Stone, LLP, moderated the Legal, Regulatory & Compliance Workshop at DSU Spring 2026, held April 14–16 in Dallas, Texas.

The workshop brought together legal and compliance leaders from across the direct selling industry to address evolving regulatory frameworks, risk management strategies, and operational best practices. Designed for executives, legal teams, and compliance professionals, the session focused on practical approaches to navigating an increasingly complex regulatory environment.

As moderator, Kugler helped guide discussions among a panel of industry professionals, covering key topics such as compliance program development, regulatory trends, and the integration of technology—including AI—into compliance operations.

Kugler brings more than two decades of experience advising direct selling companies on regulatory issues, distributor policies, compensation structures, and risk management. His background includes serving as general counsel for a large multi-level marketing company, offering a practical, in-house perspective on the challenges organizations face.

Direct Selling News’s DSU Spring event is recognized as a leading forum for industry education and collaboration, bringing together executives and advisors to share insights and strengthen best practices across the channel.

Scheef & Stone is proud to support industry dialogue and contribute to conversations shaping the future of compliance in direct selling