News & Events

Scheef & Stone Founding Partner C. John Scheef III recently volunteered during Healthcare Appreciation Week at Baylor Scott & White Medical Center – Centennialin Frisco, where he helped serve food to physicians, nurses, clinicians, and hospital staff during the hospital’s annual appreciation cookout.

Healthcare Appreciation Week provides an opportunity to recognize the dedication of healthcare professionals whose work supports patients, families, and communities every day. From direct patient care to the many individuals working behind the scenes, these professionals play an essential role in delivering compassionate, high-quality healthcare.

As part of the Baylor Scott & White Health system, Baylor Scott & White Medical Center – Centennial serves residents throughout Frisco and the surrounding Collin and Denton County communities by providing comprehensive medical services across a wide range of specialties.

For Scheef & Stone, participating in events like Healthcare Appreciation Week reflects the firm’s ongoing commitment to supporting the communities it serves and recognizing the organizations and professionals whose work makes a lasting impact.

The firm is proud to celebrate the dedication of the Baylor Scott & White Medical Center – Centennial team and extends its gratitude to all healthcare professionals for their continued service.

Scheef & Stone is pleased to share that Michael Smith was recently published in IAM with an article titled, “What EDTX’s Judge Reshuffle Means for Sherman and Marshall Patent Dockets.”

In the article, Michael examines a recent administrative reassignment within the Eastern District of Texas that redistributes patent cases among judges in the Sherman and Marshall Divisions. Although the changes do not affect substantive patent law, they may influence litigation strategy by impacting case assignments, docket balance, and the progression of patent matters depending on the assigned judge.

As one of the busiest patent litigation venues in the United States, the Eastern District of Texas remains a focal point for businesses involved in intellectual property disputes. Michael’s analysis provides practical insight into how these administrative changes may shape future patent litigation and what practitioners should consider.

Read Michael’s full article in IAM:
www.iam-media.com/article/what-edtxs-judge-reshuffle-means-sherman-and-marshall-patent-dockets

Scheef & Stone, LLP recently hosted a firm happy hour bringing together attorneys and team members to welcome the firm’s 2026 Summer Law Clerks.

Held as an opportunity for attorneys and clerks to connect ahead of the summer program, the event brought together members of the firm from multiple offices and practice areas in a relaxed and collaborative setting.

Attorneys in attendance to welcome the incoming class included Michael Smith, Matt Bracy, Alexis Cantu, Jessica Chapa, Steven Coffin, Chase Garret, Logan Miller, Austin Hatton, Margaret Ricchi, Michael Schofield, Patrick Schurr, and Melinda Sims.

This year’s summer law clerks — Gillian West, Madison Barnes, Lindie Harper, and Ashley Souza — are all students at SMU Dedman School of Law and will spend the summer gaining hands-on legal experience while working alongside attorneys across the firm.

The event reflects Scheef & Stone’s ongoing commitment to mentorship, professional development, and investing in the next generation of legal professionals. Throughout the summer, the law clerks will have opportunities to gain exposure to a broad range of practice areas, collaborate with attorneys, and further develop their legal research, writing, and advocacy skills.

Scheef & Stone appreciates everyone who attended the event and helped make the evening a memorable welcome for this year’s summer clerk class.

Scheef & Stone, LLP is pleased to announce that Partner Melinda Sims has been elected as a Fellow of the Texas Bar Foundation, one of the most respected honors within the Texas legal profession.

The Texas Bar Foundation recognizes attorneys who have demonstrated outstanding professional achievement and a commitment to improving the legal profession and their communities. Each year, only one-third of one percent of Texas attorneys are invited to become Fellows, making membership highly selective and distinguished.

Melinda’s election reflects her dedication to client service, professionalism, and leadership within the legal community. Throughout her career, she has built a reputation for thoughtful counsel, strong advocacy, and meaningful contributions to the profession.

Founded in 1965, the Texas Bar Foundation is the largest charitably funded bar foundation in the nation. Through grants and charitable initiatives, the Foundation has awarded more than $30 million to nonprofit organizations across Texas that promote access to justice, legal education, and public service programs. In the 2024–2025 fiscal year alone, the Foundation awarded a record-breaking $1.7 million in grant funding to organizations serving communities throughout the state.

Melinda’s election as a Fellow connects her to a distinguished group of attorneys committed not only to excellence in the practice of law, but also to supporting initiatives that strengthen the justice system and expand legal resources for Texans.

Scheef & Stone congratulates Melinda on this distinguished recognition and her election as a Fellow of the Texas Bar Foundation.

Scheef & Stone, LLP is pleased to welcome four law clerks to the firm this summer: Gillian West and Madison Barnes in the firm’s Dallas office, and Lindie Harper and Ashley Souza in the Frisco office.

All four clerks are second-year law students at SMU Dedman School of Law, one of the nation’s leading legal institutions and a longstanding part of the Dallas legal community. As SMU Dedman Law celebrates its 100th anniversary, the school continues its legacy of preparing future legal leaders through academic excellence, practical experience, and public service.

The incoming clerks each bring strong academic credentials and diverse professional experience to the firm.

Gillian West currently serves as Secretary of the Student Bar Association at SMU Dedman Law and previously worked as a summer associate in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Prior to law school, she spent nearly three years working in a law firm environment as an administrative assistant.

Madison Barnes recently completed internships with both Parkland Health and the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas. She graduated magna cum laude from Texas Christian University with a degree in political science and a minor in criminal justice.

Lindie Harper graduated magna cum laude from Rhodes College, where she served as a research fellow and editor of the Rhodes Historical Review. Her background also includes appellate-focused internship experience with the Dallas County Public Defender’s Office.

Ashley Souza brings prior legal and administrative experience from both private industry and higher education, including work with Arizona State University’s Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law and Tabani Group, Inc.

Scheef & Stone looks forward to supporting these talented students as they continue developing their legal skills and gaining hands-on experience within the firm.

Please join us in welcoming Gillian, Madison, Lindie, and Ashley to Scheef & Stone.

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