Jan 05 2026
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Scheef & Stone Names Keith Rawlins and Mark Nielsen as Equity Partners

By Attorney Spotlight

The good news continues at Scheef & Stone.

Following the firm’s recent announcement elevating three associates to Member, we are pleased to share another milestone that reflects Scheef & Stone’s continued growth and commitment to developing talent at every stage.

Keith Rawlins and Mark Nielsen have been elevated to Equity Partners, effective January 2026.

Both attorneys have played integral roles in the firm’s intellectual property practice, advising clients across a wide range of industries on the protection, enforcement, and defense of patents, trademarks, copyrights, and related intellectual property assets.

Keith Rawlins works closely with clients to develop and protect domestic and international intellectual property portfolios, with experience spanning chemical engineering, energy, software, medical devices, AI-related technologies, and advanced manufacturing. His practice includes patent prosecution, portfolio strategy, and intellectual property litigation.

Mark Nielsen is an experienced intellectual property litigator whose practice focuses on patent, trademark, and copyright disputes in state and federal courts across the nation. He is known for his practical, client-focused approach and regularly represents clients in complex matters involving emerging technologies, consumer products, and brand enforcement.

Together with the firm’s recent Member elevations, these advancements reflect Scheef & Stone’s ongoing investment in its people—both by expanding its leadership ranks and by creating meaningful opportunities for professional growth from within.

Please join us in congratulating Keith Rawlins and Mark Nielsen on this well-earned milestone.

Dec 08 2025
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Scheef & Stone Joined the CCBA Christmas Gala, Where Partner Mitch Little Was Honored With the 2025 Legacy Award

By Attorney Spotlight

Scheef & Stone, LLP was honored to attend the 2025 Collin County Bar Association Christmas Gala held on December 6 at the Omni Frisco Hotel at The Star. The annual celebration brought together members of the North Texas legal community for an evening featuring a VIP Cocktail Hour, live music by The Manhattan Band, a silent auction, and views of the Dallas Cowboys Holiday Extravaganza.

A highlight of the evening was the presentation of the 2025 CCBA Legacy Award to Partner Mitch Little. As confirmed by the Collin County Bar Association, the Legacy Award is presented annually to one recipient for their contribution to the CCBA and the bar as a whole. Mitch was presented with the award during the gala by Partner Chase Garrett.

Selected by the CCBA Board of Directors, the Legacy Award recognizes attorneys whose careers reflect years of service, dedication, and impactful contributions to the Collin County legal community. Mitch’s long-standing commitment to his clients, mentorship within the profession, and active involvement in the legal community have earned him deep respect across North Texas. In addition to his distinguished legal career, Mitch also serves as a Texas State Representative, where he applies his background as a business attorney and advocate for private property rights, entrepreneurship, and constitutional principles in service to the broader community. The firm is proud to celebrate this meaningful milestone with him.

As a Chairlift Sponsor, Scheef & Stone hosted four VIP tables at the event and was honored to be joined by the following guests:

Judicial Guests
Judge Ben Smith and Rebecca Smith
Judge Jennifer Edgeworth and Chris Edgeworth
Judge Andrea Bouressa and Chris Bouressa

Scheef & Stone Members and Guests
Mitch, Kelly and Matthew Little
Patrick and Kelly Schurr
Logan and Casey Miller
Taylor and Lauren Harris
Steven Coffin
Chase Garrett
Haley Jones
Austin and Rachel Hatton
Jessica Chapa
Matt Bracy
Jim and Joanie Pikl
Jon and Meagan Strain
Shirley Rose & Mike Smith
Andrea Scott

Scheef & Stone appreciates the opportunity to support the CCBA and to celebrate this year’s achievements alongside colleagues and friends across the North Texas legal community. The firm extends its warmest congratulations to Mitch on receiving the 2025 Legacy Award and thanks the CCBA for recognizing his contributions.

Dec 02 2025
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Scheef & Stone Partner Matt Bracy Featured on Resilient Minds Podcast to Discuss Emotional Intelligence in Business Leadership

By News & Events

Scheef & Stone is pleased to share that partner Matt Bracy was recently featured on the Resilient Minds podcast with host Dr. Jacqueline Campbell, LPC-S, for an in-depth conversation exploring the intersection of emotional intelligence, business leadership, and strategic decision-making.

In this wide-ranging discussion, Bracy reflects on more than three decades of advising business owners, sharing how emotional regulation influences high-stakes business outcomes—from contract negotiations to litigation strategy. He also highlights how trust, clear communication, and authenticity shape successful professional relationships.

Throughout the episode, Bracy and Dr. Campbell discuss:

  • How emotional decision-making can lead to costly business outcomes
  • Why regulated, long-view thinking leads to stronger strategic choices
  • The challenges business owners face in high-pressure situations
  • The role of self-awareness in developing leadership clarity
  • The importance of vulnerability and authenticity in building trust
  • How therapy and personal reflection contribute to resilient leadership

Bracy also speaks openly about his own personal development work and the value of maintaining emotional balance when serving clients facing stressful or deeply personal business challenges.

Watch or listen to the full episode:

For more insights on Bracy’s practice, visit solidcounsel.com/attorneys/matt-bracy.

Nov 13 2025
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Scheef & Stone Sponsors 2025 CCBA Christmas Gala as Chairlift Sponsor

By News & Events

Scheef & Stone is pleased to serve as a Chairlift Sponsor of the Collin County Bar Association Christmas Gala, taking place Saturday, December 6, 2025, from 6:00–10:00 p.m. at Omni Frisco at The Star (11 Cowboys Way, Frisco, Texas).

The gala is CCBA’s premier year-end event, bringing together attorneys, judges, and colleagues for an evening of networking and celebration. Guests will enjoy a VIP Cocktail Hour, live music by The Manhattan Band, and a silent auction, with a picturesque view of the Dallas Cowboys Holiday Extravaganza during the cocktail hour.

As a Chairlift Sponsor, Scheef & Stone will host two reserved tables with VIP access, supporting CCBA’s continued efforts to build a strong, engaged legal community in Collin County.

The firm appreciates the opportunity to support CCBA and looks forward to celebrating with peers and partners across North Texas.

Event details provided by the Collin County Bar Association. For CCBA membership or event information, please visit the CCBA website.

 

 

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 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.

 

Aug 08 2023
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Scheef & Stone Welcomes IP Partner Keith Rawlins

By News & Events

Keith RawlinsScheef & Stone, LLP is pleased to announce the addition of IP attorney Keith Rawlins as a partner in the firm’s Dallas office.

Keith focuses his practice on all forms of intellectual property with an emphasis on the preparation, prosecution, and management of U.S. and international patent portfolios, working with clients to identify IP assets and secure protection of those assets. He also provides legal opinions and analyses for non-infringement and invalidity of patents in the U.S. and abroad with particular experience in chemical, oil & gas, polymer, software, patent system, pharmaceutical, renewable energy, and membrane separation technologies. Keith regularly serves as in-house counsel for his clients, providing strategic guidance and implementing internal processes to help cultivate and streamline their IP.

“We are excited to add depth to our patent prosecution and management team and know that Keith’s industry experience and focus on client relationships will make him an asset to our team,” said IP Partner, Robin Barnes.

Prior to joining Scheef & Stone, Keith was a partner with an IP and business law firm in Dallas. He earned his J.D. from the University of Houston Law Center and received his B.A. from the University of Colorado, as well as his B.S. in chemical engineering. Keith is a member of the Intellectual Property section of both the State Bar of Texas and the Dallas Bar Association.

The arrival of Keith furthers Scheef & Stone’s goal of strategic growth to meet clients’ needs.

Jul 31 2023
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Scheef & Stone’s Jim Griffin Included in Top 10 List

By News & Events

Jim GriffinScheef & Stone is thrilled to announce that Business Today has named Jim Griffin to its list of the Top 10 Texas lawyers transforming employee benefits & compensation. The selected attorneys are highlighted for their broad spectrum of knowledge in employee benefits and executive compensation.

Business Today reported that Jim’s peers had the following to say: “He is a great, great lawyer. He is very practical, down to earth, and makes things easy. He is smart and thoughtful.”

Jim is a partner in the firm’s Dallas office and for more than 30 years, he has helped clients solve their employee benefit problems. Jim enjoys helping clients break down barriers to achieve positive results in the important area of employee benefits and executive compensation. His clients count on him to provide practical solutions with common sense explanations.

Furthermore, Jim serves on the boards of several community organizations, including the McKinney Avenue Transit Authority and KCBI radio. He is also a member of the estate planning council at Southwestern Medical School and Children’s Medical Center, and he serves on the Executive Board at the SMU Dedman School of Law.

More information on the Top 10 list is available here.