As a proud member of Mackrell International, we are excited to announce that Chamber & Partners has ranked the Mackrell network as a Global Leading Law Firm Network for 2016. Chambers & Partners has been a worldwide network since 1990, and currently covers 185 jurisdictions.
Dallas, Texas – Scheef & Stone, LLP is pleased to announce eight of the Firm’s attorneys have been selected for inclusion in the 2017 edition of Best Lawyers in America. This publication, in existence for three decades, is the oldest and most respected peer-review publication in the legal profession. A listing in Best Lawyers is widely regarded by both clients and legal professionals as a significant honor, conferred on a lawyer by his or her peers.
“Having eight Scheef & Stone attorneys recognized on the Best Lawyers 2017 list provides proof that our dedication to providing innovative, exemplary services to our clients is recognized by our peers,” said John Scheef, one of the Firm’s co-founding partners. “We are both humbled and honored to receive this recognition.”
Scheef & Stone attorneys named to the 2017 Best Lawyers in America list are:
Robert Banta, Real Estate Law
Roger Crabb, Employment Law – Management
Byron Henry, Appellate Practice
Mitch Little, Arbitration
John Scheef, Construction Law; Litigation – Construction
Mark Simon, Employment Law – Management
Bill Stone, Corporate Law; Mergers and Acquisition Law
Brad Whitlock, Corporate Law
Since its first publication in 1983, Best Lawyers has become known as the definitive guide to legal excellence. More than 79,000 leading attorneys globally are eligible to vote. Lawyers are not required or allowed to pay a fee to be listed so that inclusion in Best Lawyers continues to be considered a singular honor. Corporate Counsel magazine has called Best Lawyers “the most respected referral list of attorneys in practice.”
Scheef & Stone, LLP provides solid counsel to its valued clients by forging innovative legal solutions to build lasting relationships. From its offices in Dallas and Frisco, members of the law firm hold themselves to the highest standards, and dedicate themselves to going beyond the extra mile for their clients. These standards have led to strategic growth, bringing our attorney count to approximately 60 lawyers practicing in a full-service commercial firm with services including immigration, corporate, cybersecurity, mergers and acquisitions, real estate, tax, construction law, banking, bankruptcy, intellectual property, healthcare, litigation and employment law.
Frisco, Texas – Scheef & Stone LLP is pleased to announce Partner Mark L. Hill has been elected as the president of the Collin County Bar Association (CCBA) effective July 1, 2016 for a one-year term.
Hill has served on the CCBA Board of Directors for several years, most recently as the association’s Vice-President. He was previously a founding member and Chair of the Civil Litigation Section of the CCBA.
The CCBA is the largest bar association serving the legal community practicing or residing in and around Collin County, Texas; which includes Frisco, McKinney, Allen and Plano, among numerous other smaller communities. It works closely with the judiciary and local leaders in Collin County to create a professional, cordial, and efficient relationship with the court system for all practitioners.
“Collin County, including its legal community, is growing at an unprecedented pace and I am extremely proud to lead the Collin County Bar Association during this particular time.” Hill said. “Looking forward, my intention is for the CCBA to provide services that will not only materially benefit its members, but also contribute in a meaningful way to the local community. We have countless talented attorneys practicing in Collin County, and are blessed with a great group of judges and elected officials; this year the CCBA and its members will be at the forefront of many great developments happening in North Texas.”
Mr. Hill offices in the firm’s Hall Park location in Frisco, Texas where his practice involves handling complex business disputes and commercial real estate matters. He represents both corporate and individual clients in state and federal courts throughout Texas.
Scheef & Stone, LLP provides solid counsel to its valued clients by forging innovative legal solutions to build lasting relationships. From its offices in Dallas and Frisco, members of the law firm hold themselves to the highest standards, and embrace the art of going above and beyond the extra mile for their clients. These values have led to strategic growth, bringing our attorney count to approximately 60 lawyers practicing in a full-service transactional and litigation firm with services including immigration, corporate, cybersecurity, mergers and acquisitions, real estate, tax, construction law, banking, bankruptcy, intellectual property, healthcare, litigation and employment law.
DALLAS – Scheef & Stone LLP is pleased to announce a $2.25 million settlement of claims brought by a federal court appointed Receiver against Forex Capital Markets LLC. The aiding and abetting securities fraud claims were filed against FXCM in the 429th District Court of Collin County, Texas in Cause No. 429-75-2014. The claims alleged that Forex aided and abetted Kevin White, a Plano, Texas man earlier convicted of fraud in operating the Revelation Forex Fund, a $7 million Ponzi scheme. Kelly Crawford, a co-founding partner with Scheef & Stone, was appointed as Receiver for the Revelation Forex Fund by the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas in Cases Nos. 4:13-cv-383 and 382 brought by the Securities and Exchange Commission and U.S. Commodities Futures Trading Commission against White.
Court records indicate that more than two years ago, Crawford filed claims against FXCM for its alleged role as the broker who opened and serviced the Revelation Forex Fund account for White.
Prior to the settlement, FXCM made motion to have the case arbitrated in New York. FXCM argued Crawford, as the Receiver, had stepped into the shoes of its customer, the Revelation Forex Fund, and was required to arbitrate the claims in New York. The Collin County District Court ruled against FXCM. The company appealed the decision to the Dallas Court of Appeals. The Dallas Court of Appeals agreed that the Receiver was not bound by the arbitration agreement of Revelation Forex Fund. FXCM appealed the appellate decision to the Texas Supreme Court, but it declined to hear the case.
After losing the battle for venue, FXCM paid the Receiver $2.25 million in settlement of the claims. As a result of this settlement and other recoveries in the receivership, Crawford will be returning more than 78% of the misappropriated funds to the investors. “Through the hard work of my excellent attorneys, we were able to recover substantial funds from FXCM to return to the investors,” Crawford said.
In the battles to determine venue, Crawford was represented by Mitch Little and Charlene Koonce, Scheef & Stone partners with significant experience in federal court receiverships. “This was a hard fought battle that lasted for more than two and a half years,” Little said.
“The Dallas Court of Appeals’ opinion requiring FXCM to go to trial in Collin County was a pivotal moment in allowing for a settlement in the case,” Koonce said.
Former U.S. Magistrate Jeff Kaplan, now with JAMS, served as the mediator in the dispute.
Scheef & Stone, LLP provides solid counsel to its valued clients by forging innovative legal solutions to build lasting relationships. From its offices in Dallas and Frisco, members of the law firm hold themselves to the highest standards, and embrace the art of going above and beyond the extra mile for their clients. These values have led to strategic growth, bringing its attorney count to approximately 60 lawyers practicing in a full-service transactional and litigation firm with services including immigration, corporate, cybersecurity, mergers and acquisitions, real estate, tax, construction law, banking, intellectual property, healthcare, litigation and employment law.
DALLAS – Scheef & Stone LLP is pleased to announce the addition of more than 6,400 square feet to its Frisco Office in Hall Park at 2600 Network Blvd, Suite 400, Frisco, Texas. A Hall Park tenant since 2004, the firm leased 12,357 square feet in its current location in November 2014 on a 10-year lease. The additional space will provide the firm with a total of 18,828 square feet – an increase of 41.5 percent. The expansions are scheduled to occur in two phases, with 2,085 square feet added July 1, 2016 and an additional 3,776 square feet to be added on Feb. 1, 2017.
“We are so thankful to be in this position where we need to expand our footprint in this office due to growing client demand in Frisco, Collin County and North Dallas,” said John Scheef, one of the firm’s founding partners. “Hall Park is the perfect location to serve our expanding client base. We find the Frisco area to be a booming business community and we are very glad to be a part of that growth.”
In addition to increasing its physical space, Scheef & Stone also continues to expand its attorneys and practice areas. Since it moved into its current Frisco space, the firm has added eight attorneys, and immigration and cybersecurity practice areas. The firm intends to continue to aggressively add new attorneys and practice areas to both its Frisco and Dallas offices, Scheef said.
The firm’s Frisco office space is owned by Hall Financial Group. Hall Park is an award-winning, 162-acre development, currently containing 16 buildings with three million square feet of Class A office space, located near the intersection of Dallas North Tollway and Gaylord Parkway. The firm was assisted in its negotiation by Brooke Armstrong of Jones, Lang LaSalle, IP, Inc.
Scheef & Stone, LLP provides solid counsel to its valued clients by forging innovative legal solutions to build lasting relationships. From its offices in Dallas and Frisco, members of the law firm hold themselves to the highest standards, and embrace the art of going above and beyond the extra mile for their clients. These values have led to strategic growth, bringing its attorney count to approximately 60 lawyers practicing in a full-service transactional and litigation firm with services including immigration, corporate, cybersecurity, mergers and acquisitions, real estate, tax, construction law, banking, intellectual property, healthcare, litigation and employment law.
We are honored to announce that partner Tom Kulik has been elected as State Bar of Texas District 1 Grievance Committee Chairman, effective July 1, 2016. Elected by members of the District Grievance Committee panels located in District 1, he will now oversee the case allocation for four separate panels that address grievances filed by individuals who believe they have been a witness to attorney misconduct. These panels hear cases in McKinney, Marshall and Texarkana. Currently, 387 volunteer Grievance Committee members serve on 17 committees throughout the state. Members are nominated by State Bar directors and are appointed by the State Bar president. Congratulations to Tom on this achievement!
Scheef & Stone Spotlights Positive Immigrant Achievements
DALLAS – The Immigrant Journey Awards, an awards ceremony aimed at placing a spotlight on immigrant achievements and contributions to North Texas and the nation, held its annual Awards luncheon on Friday June 10, 2016. Awards were given to recognize this year’s most important contributors from the immigrant community to the civic and economic vitality of North Texas. Proceeds from the event are used to benefit the American Dream Scholarship for immigrant or first-generation American high school seniors in North Texas.
Emmy award-winning journalist Rebecca Aguilar served as the master of ceremonies and kept the crowd of approximately 120 attendees entertained. Guests included local dignitaries such as the Honorary Consul of the Consulate of Ecuador, Honorable Ricardo Miguel Bowen and a representative from the congressional office of Marc Veasey. Award finalists also received commendations from the congressional office of Eddie Bernice Johnson.
Now in its fifth year, the Immigrant Journey Awards program has become a staple event in North Texas shining a light on immigrant citizens who have made positive contributions in their respective fields and communities. The program, sponsored by Scheef & Stone LLP, was the brainchild of Ann Massey Badmus, Partner at Scheef & Stone.
“Immigrants make important positive contributions in every facet of life, from the business world to the public square,” said Badmus. “We see these annual awards as a way to celebrate all of those contributions and advocate immigrants throughout North Texas and beyond.”
Award candidate nominations include entrepreneurs, advocates, civic leaders and individuals who have made substantial professional achievements in their field. Finalists are awarded in the categories of Immigrant Entrepreneur, Immigrant Professional Excellence, Immigrant Spirit and Immigrant Advocate; there is typically more than one award winner in each category. Of the many nominations received, nine winners were recognized and they represent a broad scope of immigrants living in North Texas communities with roots in countries including Pakistan, Argentina, Iran, India, and Ethiopia.
2016 Immigrant Journey Award Winners:
2016 Immigrant Entrepreneur Award
Beatriz Manetta, Plano, Texas
President and CEO, Argent Associates, Inc.
2016 Immigrant Entrepreneur Award
Ali Samana, Frisco, Texas
Co-Founder, 1 Solar Solution, LLC
2016 Immigrant Entrepreneur Award
Ami Doshi, Dallas, Texas
Founder of Milaap USA
2016 Immigrant Professional Excellence Award
Dr. Anshul Agarwal Arlington, Texas
Founder & Director Redbird Wellness PLLC
2016 Immigrant Professional Excellence Award
Dr. German Gutierrez, Ft Worth, Texas
Director of Orchestras and Professor of Orchestral
Studies, TCU
2016 Immigrant Advocate Award
Dr. Michele Bobadilla, Dallas, Texas
Founder of University Crossroads, UT Arlington
2016 Immigrant Advocate Award
Leah Seyoum-Tesfa, Irving, Texas
Nurse and Founder of Reaching East African
Children and Families
2016 Immigrant Spirit Award
Ravi Calyanakoti, Plano, Texas
Innovation Coach (AT&T Foundry), Nokia
2016 Immigrant Spirit Award
Sina Sabet Sarvestani, Dallas, Texas
Youth Mentor/Teacher Assistant, Sam Tasby
Middle School
Three high school seniors were awarded American Dream Scholarships in the amount of $1,000 each. All scholarship applicants were required to submit a writing sample, exhibit leadership qualities, and maintain a 3.5 cumulative GPA.
The 2016 American Dream Scholarship Recipients are:
• Samuel Baucom, senior, Duncanville High
• Monica Aguirre, senior, Conrad High
• Suipen Tial, senior, Lake Highlands High
According to the organization Partnership for a New American Economy, more than four million Texas residents – about 16% of the population – were foreign born as of 2013. The annual Immigrant Journey Awards event coincides and partners with Immigrant Heritage Month, an opportunity for everyone to rally around the diversity of the country and celebrate the country’s shared heritage as a nation of immigrants.
Immigrant Journey Award Categories
Immigrant Entrepreneur Award – Honoring an immigrant business owner who has founded a highly successful business in DFW and who serves as a model and inspiration of success.
Immigrant Professional Excellence Award – Honoring an immigrant who has demonstrated significant professional achievements in their field and whose advancements in their field have positively impacted their profession or community.
Immigrant Spirit Award – Recognizing an immigrant civic leader or elected official who has contributed substantially to the community or the region.
Immigrant Advocate Award – Recognizing an individual, organization, business, or governmental entity who has made a positive impact on the lives of immigrants, and who advocates on behalf of immigrants.
For more information, visit immigrantjourney.org
Scheef & Stone, LLP provides solid counsel to its valued clients by forging innovative legal solutions to build treasured and lasting relationships. From its offices in Dallas and Frisco, members of the firm recognize their services are not about them and hold themselves to the highest standards, by embracing the art of going above and beyond the extra mile. These values have led to strategic growth, bringing our attorney count to approximately 60 lawyers practicing in a full-service transactional and business law firm with services including immigration, corporate, cybersecurity, mergers and acquisitions, real estate, tax, construction law, banking, intellectual property, healthcare, and employment law.
Awards Program Spotlights Positive Immigrant Achievements
DALLAS –Scheef & Stone, LLP is pleased to present the 5th Annual Immigrant Journey Awards. This program recognizes and honor exceptional immigrant individuals who have chosen to make this country their home and who have demonstrated leadership in business by contributing to the civic and economic vitality of North Texas. This year’s keynote speaker is Dr. Vistasp M. Karbhari, President of the University of Texas at Arlington. The awards luncheon will be held at Prestonwood Country Club, 15909 Preston Rd., Dallas, Texas on Friday, June 10, 2016 from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
“Immigration is tremendously beneficial to the economic health and cultural wealth of Texas,” says Ann Massey Badmus, immigration attorney and chair of the Immigrant Journey Awards program. “Immigrants make important positive contributions in every facet of life, from the business world to the public square.”
Awards will be handed out in four categories – Immigrant Entrepreneur, Immigrant Professional Excellence, Immigrant Advocate, and Immigrant Spirit. The Immigrant Entrepreneur Award is bestowed on an individual who has built a highly successful business in North Texas, and who sets a great example for other motivated entrepreneurs around the state and the nation. Immigrants who have made remarkable strides in a professional field are eligible for the Immigrant Professional Excellence Award. The Immigrant Spirit Award recognizes an elected official or other civic leader who has contributed substantially to the well-being of the entire community or region. Finally, the Immigrant Advocate Award is reserved for an individual, organization, business, or government entity that has made a powerful and positive impact on the welfare of immigrants via public advocacy.
The Immigrant Journey Summit and Awards coincides and is partnered with Immigrant Heritage Month, an opportunity for everyone to rally around the diversity of the country and celebrate our shared heritage as a nation of immigrants.
Dallas-based Scheef & Stone recognizes the tremendous impact immigrants have had on our nation and is honored to have this opportunity to help celebrate outstanding immigrants and their advocates in the U.S. For more information, to sponsor, attend or submit a nomination, visit immigrantjourney.org.
Scheef & Stone, LLP provides solid counsel to its valued clients by forging innovative legal solutions to build treasured and lasting relationships. From its offices in Dallas and Frisco, members of the firm recognize their services are not about them and hold themselves to the highest standards, by embracing the art of going above and beyond the extra mile. These values have led to strategic growth, bringing our attorney count to approximately 60 lawyers practicing in a full-service transactional and business law firm with services including immigration, corporate, cybersecurity, mergers and acquisitions, real estate, tax, construction law, banking, intellectual property, healthcare, and employment law.
We are so pleased to be able to donate our entire law library of approximately 4,000 books to Pinkston High School, a DISD law magnet school, earlier this week. Thank you to MoveStar for donating their time, trucks, and carts to assist with the move. We hope these books provide Pinkston students with reliable sources of information to pursue their desired career paths in the field of law. Pictured first row from L to R are: Kendra Armstrong (CATE Department Head/Business Teacher), Loretta Forbey (Scheef & Stone Legal Assistant), Shakoiya Warfield (Pinkston High School Sophomore), Brenda Conine (Scheef & Stone Firm Administrator), Tra’Shannon Green (Pinkston High School Sophomore), Kelsey Johnson (Scheef & Stone Assistant to Firm Administrator), Kenric Narcisse (Campus Law Magnet Lead Teacher), Johnitta Williams (Law Enforcement Teacher). Second row from L to R: Robert Maturey (Owner of MoveStar), J Edwards-Jackson (Scheef & Stone Receptionist), James Stafford (Scheef & Stone Attorney), Michael Fechner (Scheef & Stone Summer Law Clerk).
DALLAS – Scheef & Stone, L.L.P. is pleased to announce that Partners Ann Badmus, Robert Bolton, Rebekah Steely Brooker, Byron Henry , Tom Kulik, Mitch Little, Shawn Tuma, and Brad Whitlock have been selected as D Magazine’s “Best Lawyers in Dallas” for 2016. The Best Lawyers list is featured in the magazine’s May issue released on April 20, 2016.
“We are honored to have eight attorneys recognized in this prestigious list” said John Scheef, Managing Partner at Scheef & Stone, L.L.P. “This recognition is confirmation the solid counsel we provide our clients is impacting our community in a positive way. We are humbled our peers in the DFW legal community have acknowledged the hard work and dedication these attorneys have applied to their practice.”
The 2016 listing of the top attorneys in Dallas was determined through a peer-review voting process, with ballots submitted by approximately 9,000 local lawyers. The final list of attorneys was determined by an independent panel of distinguished lawyers and the magazine’s editors. The complete list is included in the May 2016 edition of D Magazine and available online at www.dmagazine.com.
Ann Badmus’ practice consists primarily of employment and business related immigration matters, representing employers and their employees before various state and federal agencies with immigration oversight. Badmus appears frequently on national and local radio and television as a guest commentator on immigration law.
Robert Bolton has experience in the area of tax law, including estate planning and asset protection strategies to protect business and investment assets from unwarranted claims and the federal estate, gift and generation-skipping transfer taxes. His practice also includes tax and business planning for partnerships, limited liability companies and corporations.
Rebekah Steely Brooker focuses her practice on estate planning and administration, probate matters, trust and asset protection planning, guardianship matters, and probate litigation. Rebekah helps her clients administer trusts and estates, and counsels clients on estate planning, charitable planning, and estate and trust management.
Byron Henry is Board Certified in Civil Appellate Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization and centers his practice on the areas of business litigation and civil appeals. He provides advice to clients and attorneys on legal and business strategies, as well as trial support in complex civil cases in the area of experts, summary judgment, jury charge practice, and post-judgment motion practice.
Tom Kulik strategically counsels clients as outside general counsel on matters involving the evaluation, acquisition, development and protection of intellectual property rights, with an emphasis on creatively leveraging such assets both domestically and internationally. His practice focuses on intellectual property within the context of the IT transactions and computer software development/licensing.
Mitch Little counsels individuals and business organizations in state and federal courts in Texas and beyond, with an emphasis on cases involving securities fraud. Having a variety of experience dealing with victims of oil and gas promotional fraud, Ponzi schemes, and all types of investment theft, he has represented investors from all over the United States.
Shawn Tuma focuses his practice on issues involving digital information law such as computer fraud, cybercrimes, the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act, and the Texas Computer Crimes statute. He also assists clients with matters involving misappropriation of trade secrets; data and information security, and compliance; data privacy; and data breach response.
Brad Whitlock’s practice focuses on representing small and midsized business clients on corporate law matters such as business transactions, including mergers and acquisitions, debt and equity securities financings, company formation, contracts, employment matters, corporate governance issues, and a broad variety of other legal arrangements and agreements.
Scheef & Stone, LLP provides solid counsel to its valued clients by forging innovative legal solutions to build treasured and lasting relationships. From its offices in Dallas and Frisco, members of the firm recognize their services are not about them and hold themselves to the highest standards, by embracing the art of going above and beyond the extra mile. These values have led to strategic growth, bringing our attorney count to approximately 60 lawyers practicing in a full-service transactional and business law firm with services including immigration, corporate, cybersecurity, mergers and acquisitions, real estate, tax, construction law, banking, intellectual property, healthcare, and employment law.
