Scheef & Stone is excited to announce the addition of Marc McSwain to the firm’s Intellectual Property practice area.
Marc is a USPTO-registered patent attorney with over 24 years of experience in patent law, including several years as a patent agent before becoming an attorney.
“Marc’s breadth of experience in patent law is impressive,” said Founding Partner, John Scheef. “We are thrilled to have him on our team and are excited about the solid counsel he will provide to our clients.”
Marc’s experience includes identifying and protecting valuable inventions, directing technological improvements, and providing support for litigation and/or licensing activities for future business success.
The addition of Marc further solidifies Scheef & Stone’s position as a leader in the legal community and we are excited about the opportunities that lie ahead with him joining our team.
The firm recently celebrated having 13 lawyers named as D Magazine Best Lawyers by asking its attorneys what makes a great lawyer. Jane Taber provided the following insight, and we couldn’t have said it any better. Enjoy!
The nation is chock full of very good lawyers. Every year hundreds of lawyers graduate from the top of their classes, win prestigious awards for exemplary service, and provide superb legal representation resulting in tremendous results for their clients. As a profession, lawyers are intelligent and aren’t afraid to put in the necessary time and effort of lifelong learning to fine-tune their legal skills and gain experience. They have an uncanny ability to analyze information, strategically plan and implement a pathway for the best outcomes for their clients, and efficiently and persuasively write or present orally their clients’ position. So how does a lawyer become great and rise above her colleagues when she is surrounded every single day with good lawyers? A few characteristics make the transformation of a good lawyer into a great lawyer.
First is compassion. When a lawyer authentically and genuinely wants to help resolve a problem this is manifested as compassion. After all, isn’t that why our clients come to us in the first place—to solve their problem or avoid a future problem? This requires focusing on how others feel and understanding and accepting their perspective even if you don’t agree with it. Without compassion you can’t put yourself into your client’s shoes and fully comprehend the problems they face. Without compassion you can’t understand opposing counsel’s or the trier of facts perspectives. However, with compassion, and understanding the positions of all parties involved, you can anticipate the next steps of each party and take pre-emptive measures that are in the best interest of your client. You simply can’t provide the best solutions without compassion.
Secondly is assertiveness, which is different from aggressiveness. Assertive lawyers effectively state their opinions and make themselves heard in a professional manner, respectful of others. Aggressive lawyers attack and ignore others’ opinions, insisting their opinion is right and any other opinions are wrong. Much like lawyers without compassion, overly aggressive lawyers cannot possibly understand another’s position if it isn’t aligned with theirs, making them ineffective at understanding the client’s problem and incapable of providing an effective solution. Causing irreparable damage are overly aggressive lawyers, whose lack of respect for others undermines trust and leads to an uncooperative environment with mutual resolution or agreement often impossible.
Lastly is creativity. The number of different legal scenarios a lawyer is faced with over her career is innumerable. All clients, fact patterns, and issues differ. A solution for one client likely won’t work for another due to each client’s uniqueness. A great lawyer must be able to assess her client’s situation from all angles, understand what the client wants—and what her adversary wants, weigh all options, and muster up all the creativity she can to craft the perfect solution for the client that will also be accepted by an adversary. This requires coming to the table with compassion, listening intending to hear all persons at the table, and being assertive but not to the point of aggressive in advocating for a workable solution.
Yes, there are plenty of good lawyers that will do a fine job for most clients, but a great lawyer rises above a good one with her secret weapons of compassion, assertiveness, and creativity.
Scheef & Stone is pleased to announce that Peter Lewis was inducted into the TMI Episcopal’s Hall of Fame during Alumni Day on Friday, April 21st.
Established in 2015, the Hall of Fame is an honorary society recognizing the exceptional contributions of alumni. Inductees are recognized for their embodiment of TMI’s core values – wisdom, integrity, service, excellence, and reverence. Peter is a 1974 graduate of the private high school and was one of eight individuals honored this year.
Throughout his career, Peter has remained devoted to serving his community. He has served as an officer and/or director of the Texas Public Finance Authority, Volunteer Centers of North Texas, Goodwill Industries, Mental Health Association of Dallas, Dallas Symphony, Alcuin School, Baylor Hospital System Foundation, Dallas Historical Society, J.L. Turner Legal Association, Head Start, the Texas Lyceum and the Friends of Fair Park. He currently serves on the board of the Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Dallas and the Texas advisory board for the Trust for Public Land.
While at TMI, Peter earned several academic and leadership awards, was Band Commander, editor of the Class of 1974 yearbook, served on the Student Council, was an all-state (private schools) football and basketball player, an all-city basketball player, and was named to several All-SPC and TPL football and basketball teams as well as an All-SPC team in baseball.
Upon graduating from TMI, he attended Princeton University where he played football and basketball and graduated in 1978 with a degree in Politics. He subsequently attended Columbia University School of Law and obtained his Juris Doctor in 1981. Thereafter, Peter began his legal career in Dallas where, in 1988, he became the first African American lawyer to become a partner (equity) in a Dallas majority law firm.
About TMI Episcopal
Located in the Texas Hill Country, just 20 miles from downtown San Antonio, TMI Episcopal is a coed, college-preparatory school for students in grades 6-12. Its rich history dates back to 1893 when the school was founded by the Episcopal Diocese of West Texas and has grown to become the excellent academic community it is today. From honors and Advanced Placement courses, a wide range of fine art and athletic activities, and the optional, distinguished JROTC program to the school’s dedication to service and leadership, TMI is a place for students to engage, learn, and grow into the well-rounded leaders of tomorrow.
Scheef & Stone is pleased to announce that thirteen of our attorneys were named 2023 D Magazine Best Lawyers. The exclusive list honors the top Lawyers in Dallas, as chosen by their peers. This prestigious recognition is a testament to these attorneys’ exceptional legal skills, outstanding client service, and commitment to the legal profession. We are incredibly proud to have them on our team and to see their hard work and talent recognized by D Magazine as well as their peers. We would like to extend our sincerest congratulations to our attorneys for this well-deserved recognition. We are honored to have them on our team and look forward to seeing them continue to excel in their respective practice areas.
The Scheef & Stone attorneys selected by D Magazine are:
Scheef & Stone is pleased to announce that LaDawn Nandrasy has joined the firm. LaDawn will practice as a member of the firm’s Appellate team.
LaDawn is board certified in civil appellate law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization, a prestigious credential earned by less than 1% of practicing Texas lawyers and joins the firm with more than three decades of appellate law experience. She has tried cases in several appellate courts, including the Supreme Court of Texas and the Fifth Circuit.
“To say we’re thrilled to have LaDawn join Scheef & Stone is an understatement,” said Founding Partner, John Scheef. “The appellate experience and bench depth that she brings to the firm is incomparably remarkable and she will be invaluable to our clients and our firm.”
LaDawn’s achievements have been recognized by Texas Super Lawyers in Appellate Law as well as a Top 50 Women Lawyer in Texas. D Magazine named her a Best Women Lawyer in Dallas and included her in the Best Lawyers in Dallas in Appellate Law.
Committed to the legal profession, LaDawn serves in a variety of capacities. She is a member of the Oversight Committee of the State Bar of Texas Committee on Pattern Jury Charges. Four times, she has authored the chapter on Interlocutory Appeals for the Texas Practitioner’s Guide to Civil Appeals in Texas. Her other roles have included leadership at the State Bar of Texas Appellate Section as a Council Member and as Co-Chair of the Diversity Committee.
Devoted to her community, LaDawn’s has served on several non-profit boards including Empowering Women as Leaders and Hope International, an international adoption agency that assisted with the adoption of her daughter from overseas.
The addition of LaDawn further solidifies Scheef & Stone’s position as a leader in the legal community and we are excited about the opportunities that lie ahead with her joining our team.
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 Bleedenstems 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 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 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.
Scheef & Stone is pleased to announce that the firm’s Direct Selling practice group, which is chaired by Partner Brent Kugler, was ranked third in North America on the 2023 Social Selling News “The Ranks” law firm list. Firms are ranked by the number of active direct selling clients.
“Our direct sales, multi-level and affiliate marketing clients across the U.S. face a variety of complex business issues in a fast-paced niche industry,” Brent said. “Our team is dedicated to providing strategic advice on rapidly evolving regulatory issues, distributor policies, compensation structures, independent contractor classification, enforcement of non-solicitation restrictions, trade secret protection, risk management, and more. We’re delighted to see this commitment to client service recognized on such a prestigious list.”
Scheef & Stone’s Direct Selling practice attorneys have extensive experience in representing direct sales, multi-level (MLM) and affiliate marketing companies in lawsuits, arbitrations and regulatory matters. They also provide comprehensive legal representation to direct sales companies, including advice on federal and state regulatory issues. Scheef & Stone has been a Supplier Member of the Direct Selling Association since 2008 and Brent is a frequent speaker and author on regulatory developments in the direct selling industry and preparing direct sales companies for litigation.
Social Selling News is a monthly publication targeted to direct sales industry professionals. The publication covers direct sales news, trends and developments. The full “The Ranks” law firm list is available to subscribers here.
Scheef & Stone is pleased to announce that Anthony Vecchione has joined the firm’s Dallas office. Anthony will practice as a member of the firm’s Litigation team.
Anthony has more than a decade of experience handling complex business and intellectual property litigation matters, with a focus on patent infringement. He spends significant time advising large corporations, entrepreneurs, and inventors on challenges that arise in the ever-changing technology industry. Anthony’s clients appreciate his diverse experience and innate ability to devise the solutions necessary to keep their business objectives in line. Anthony’s many hats afford him a variety of perspectives, which he uses to provide insight and balanced judgement. He has successfully represented both plaintiffs and defendants in district court litigation, appellate litigation, and complex commercial arbitration.
As a complement to his successes in business and IP litigation, Anthony also previously served as general counsel for a burgeoning multi-office family dental practice. In this role, in addition to advising on strategic growth, he managed all legal matters that arose in daily practice operations, including those involving contracts, labor and employment, and real estate law.
Anthony is a member of the State Bar of Texas. He earned his J.D. from the Southern Methodist University Dedman School of Law. He simultaneously obtained his M.A. from New York University and M.S. from Brooklyn College. He earned a B.S. from the University of Florida.
Scheef & 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.
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