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Aug 17 2023
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Scheef & Stone Attorneys Recognized in 2024 Best Lawyers® Lists

By News & Events

Scheef & Stone is delighted to share that a remarkable achievement has once again graced our firm: an impressive tally of 14 of our attorneys have been handpicked by their peers for the esteemed 2024 Best Lawyers in America® lists. Among this outstanding group, thirteen attorneys have secured their well-deserved spots in the 2024 edition of The Best Lawyers in America, while an exceptional attorney has also earned a coveted place in the prestigious 2024 Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® in America list. This recognition underscores the exceptional dedication and expertise that our attorneys bring to the legal realm.

The attorneys included in the 2024 edition of The Best Lawyers in America are:

Matt Bracy – Commercial Litigation

Roger Crabb – Employment Law – Management

Kelly Crawford – Commercial Litigation

Jim Griffin – Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law, Tax Law

Byron Henry – Appellate Practice

Michael Knapek – Commercial Litigation, Insurance Law, Litigation – Insurance

Mitch Little – Arbitration, Litigation – Real Estate

LaDawn Nandrasy – Appellate Practice

Mark Nielsen – Trademark Law

John Scheef – Construction Law, Litigation – Construction

Mark Simon – Employment Law – Management

Michael Smith – Litigation – Intellectual Property, Litigation – Patent, Patent Law

Bill Stone – Corporate Law, Mergers and Acquisitions Law

The Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in America list includes attorneys who are in the earlier stages of their careers and have showcased remarkable professional excellence in the realm of legal practice. Notably, Becca Skupin has earned her place on the prestigious 2024 list, being recognized for her expertise in a range of practice areas including Appellate Practice, Commercial Litigation, Litigation – Intellectual Property, and Litigation – Patent.

Since it was first published in 1983, Best Lawyers has become regarded as the definitive guide to legal excellence. Best Lawyers lists are compiled based on an exhaustive peer-review evaluation. More than 116,000 industry leading lawyers are eligible to vote (from around the world), and Best Lawyers has received more than 17 million evaluations on the legal abilities of other lawyers based on their specific practice areas around the world. Lawyers are not required or allowed to pay a fee to be listed; therefore, inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America is considered a singular honor.

Lawyers included in the Best Lawyers lists are divided by geographic region and practice area. They are reviewed by their peers and undergo an authentication process to ensure they are in current practice and in good standing.

The full methodology for The Best Lawyers in America list and Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in America list is available here.

Aug 08 2023
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Scheef & Stone Welcomes IP Partner Keith Rawlins

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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.

Aug 03 2023
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LaDawn Nandrasy Obtains Win for Policyholder in Fifth Circuit Coverage Appeal

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LaDawn NandrasyScheef & Stone is delighted to announce LaDawn Nandrasy’s victory in the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals in a coverage lawsuit between her client, the policyholder, and its insurer.

In a published opinion, the Fifth Circuit held that the district court’s ruling in favor of the insurer on its duty to indemnify the policyholder for potential liability in an underlying lawsuit was premature and incorrect.

The underlying lawsuit involved claims by eight plaintiffs in South Carolina against the policyholder, an online car auction company. The plaintiffs alleged that the company’s vehicles had leaked pollutants, contaminating ponds and streams on their properties. While the underlying suit was still pending, the district court in the insurer’s coverage action granted the insurer summary judgment on both the duty to defend and the duty to indemnify, based on pollution exclusions in the policies. In reaching its indemnity holding, the court reasoned that because the insurer had no duty to defend, “it follows that it has no duty to indemnify.” The Fifth Circuit reversed this holding.

The Court found “faulty,” the assumption that the duty to indemnify cannot exist where there is no duty to defend. The Court clarified that “the facts adduced at trial might differ from the allegations, and thus, a duty to indemnify could be shown notwithstanding the absence of a duty to defend.”

The Court further concluded that the underlying lawsuit’s settlement while the coverage ruling was pending on appeal did not alter the analysis. “[W]hether and to what extent the settlement amount is covered by [the insurer’s] policies,” the Court explained, “will take place on remand in this coverage litigation.” Accordingly, the insurer ultimately may be required to reimburse the policyholder for payments the policyholder made in settlement of the underlying lawsuit.

Amy Elizabeth Stewart, Managing Principal of Amy Stewart PC, joined LaDawn as co-counsel for the policyholder. The firm congratulates the entire team for their diligent efforts and successful outcome of the appeal.

This legal victory has garnered attention from prominent legal publications, including Texas Lawyer, Law360, Property Casualty 360, Attorney at Law Magazine, the Global Legal Chronicle, and others. For detailed coverage of the case, readers may access the articles through the respective websites (logins required).

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

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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.

Jul 24 2023
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Rebekah Steely Brooker Presents Session on Law Practice Management and Succession Planning at State Bar of Texas Annual Meeting

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Rebekah BrookerScheef & Stone estate planning and probate attorney Rebekah Steely Brooker returned as a speaker at the 2023 State Bar of Texas Annual Meeting. This year, Rebekah and co-presenter Bill Betts discussed law practice management and specifically planned vs. unplanned succession planning. “Our objective was to deliver information about navigating the ethical rules that come up in the sudden cessation of a practice,” noted Rebekah. The presentation covered applicable Texas Disciplinary Rules of Professional Conduct, file management and engagement and termination letter provisions. In addition, Rebekah discussed the ethics involved in the cessation of a practice, the importance of designating a custodian attorney, as well as the Rules that apply to the sale of a law practice. “Succession planning is one additional way we can help protect our clients and provide for a seamless transition in the event we are unable to practice law,” Rebekah added.

Jul 24 2023
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Rebekah Steely Brooker Publishes in Texas Bar Practice Blog, Urging Bar Members to Designate a Custodian Attorney

By News & Events

Scheef & Stone estate planning and probate attorney Rebekah Steely Brooker, a member of the Law Practice Management Committee and Vice Chair-elect, and co-author John Meredith, Vice Chair of the State Bar of Texas Law Practice Management Committee, delve into the issue of practice management and planning ahead, particularly in the event of disability, impairment, incapacity, or death, in their article “Succession Planning: A Day to Designate Your Custodian Attorney,” published in the Texas Bar Practice Blog. The designation of a custodian attorney, they explain, is a critical aspect of law practice management and succession planning. In fact, the State Bar President inaugurated June 21, 2023, as the first annual Designate a Custodian Day, to raise awareness of the protections a lawyer should have in place in the event that an emergency prohibits the lawyer from being able to practice. The authors note that the appointment of a custodian attorney serves to protect not only their clients’ matters but also the lawyers’ own professional reputations. The authors recommend that in addition to designating a custodian attorney, members of the Bar pass on the favor by serving as a custodian for another attorney or attorneys. To learn more about the purpose and obligations of those chosen for this role, read the full article here.

Jul 12 2023
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Scheef & Stone Welcomes Bryan Haynes’ Return

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Bryan HaynesScheef & Stone is pleased to announce that Bryan Haynes has returned to the firm after serving as the Lead Trial Partner with the intellectual property firm Klemchuk LLP. Bryan has been on the front lines of litigation battles for more than 32 years, trying dozens of cases to verdict and final awards and handling countless evidentiary and non-evidentiary hearings. He has successfully tried and arbitrated patents, trade secrets, trademarks, fiduciary duty, complex contracts, business “divorces,” employment, probate, insurance coverage, wrongful death, product liability matters, and others.

“Throughout his career, Bryan has garnered a reputation for his exceptional legal skills, unwavering dedication, and unwavering commitment to achieving favorable outcomes for his clients,” said Founding Partner, Kelly Crawford. “His extensive expertise covers a wide range of practice areas, including litigation, banking, real estate, corporate and business, and intellectual property just to name a few, making him a valuable asset to our clients and our firm.”

“Bryan possesses a deep understanding of the intricate legal landscape, having previously worked at Scheef & Stone. This familiarity with our firm’s values, culture, and commitment to excellence will undoubtedly facilitate a seamless transition and enable him to hit the ground running.”

Through his experiences on both sides of the docket, Bryan has gained immeasurable knowledge and understanding of how judges, jurors, and arbitrators consider and weigh the rules, legal authorities, arguments, and, most importantly, assessing the credibility of witnesses and other evidence.

Bryan was admitted to practice in Texas in May 1991 and has appeared in courts in more than 90 of Texas’ 254 counties. He is also admitted to the United States District Courts for the Northern, Eastern, Western, and Southern Districts of Texas, Northern District of Indiana, Western District of Michigan, Western District of Missouri, Northern District of Oklahoma, and each of the Districts of Colorado, North Dakota, and Utah. He has also appeared pro hac vice in state and federal courts in Arizona, California, Delaware, Florida, Illinois, Kansas, Kentucky, Massachusetts, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, and Tennessee.

We pride ourselves on assembling a team of exception legal professionals who are dedicated to delivering the highest caliber of legal services. With Bryan’s return, our firm’s expertise and capabilities are further strengthened, allowing us to continue providing unparalleled legal solutions to our value clients. Please join us in welcoming Bryan back to the firm!

For more information or to schedule a consultation with Bryan, please contact him via this link.

Jul 05 2023
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Scheef & Stone’s Brent Kugler Obtains Defense Verdict for Video Products Engineer and Manufacturer

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Brent KuglerScheef & Stone, LLP congratulates litigation partner Brent Kugler for obtaining a unanimous jury verdict on behalf of his client, a manufacturer of HDTV modulators and electronics products for IPTV networks and digital RF systems, in a shareholder derivative suit seeking $3.7 million in the 16th District Court in Denton County, Texas.

District Court Judge Sherry Shipman entered a directed verdict on the plaintiff’s individual claims and on June 30 the jury issued a unanimous verdict finding the defendants not liable on the plaintiffs’ shareholder derivative claims after a five-day trial. The unanimous jury verdict found the defendants not liable and awarded zero monetary damages to the plaintiff.

“I am extremely pleased for the positive outcome for our client after a four-year legal battle. The jury’s unanimous verdict is supported by overwhelming evidence that the defendants did not breach their fiduciary duties or engage in any sort of fraudulent activity,” said Kugler, who served as counsel for the corporate defendant.

The lawsuit was brought by a minority shareholder against Kugler’s client, as well as the company’s CEO, and involved allegations of breach of fiduciary duty and other derivative claims. Kugler and Joe Ackles, counsel for the CEO, collaborated on the litigation strategy to defend their clients, ultimately securing a defense verdict. Kugler was assisted by Scheef & Stone associates Priya Jesani and David Wills.

Jul 03 2023
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Scheef & Stone’s Michael Smith Recognized as IP Trailblazer

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Michael Smith

Scheef & Stone is proud to announce that the National Law Journal named Michael Smith an Intellectual Property Trailblazer. The IP Trailblazers is awarded to professionals working as agents of change in their practice areas.

When asked about his path to becoming a trailblazer, Michael pointed to his pioneering work in 2003, starting an IP blog before the advent of Facebook or the smartphone. He launched EDTexweblog.com to write about important IP cases coming out of the Eastern District of Texas and it went on to become one of the most enduring blogs devoted to IP law, still going strong 20 years later. In the years since, he has also launched TEXIPLAWBLOG devoted exclusively to important IP cases coming out of all of Texas and a podcast series, “Texas IP Roundup With Michael Smith,” in partnership with the Berkeley Center for Law and Technology.

Michael is a partner in the firm’s Marshall office, where his practice focuses on complex commercial and patent litigation in federal court. He is counsel of record in over 900 civil cases in the Eastern District of Texas. He is the former chair of the Eastern District’s Local Rules Advisory Committee; past president of the Eastern District Bar Association; Life Fellow of the Texas Bar Foundation; two-time member of the Texas Bar Board of Directors; past chair of both the Texas Bar Litigation Section and Texas Bar Journal Board of Editors; and editor of “O’Connor’s Federal Rules Civil Trials” for over 20 years.

Selection criteria for the National Law Journal’s Trailblazers is available here.

Jun 29 2023
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Scheef & Stone Welcomes Michael Schofield

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Michael SchofieldScheef & Stone is excited to announce the addition of USPTO-registered patent attorney Michael Schofield as their newest Member to join the firm.

Michael began his career as a mechanical engineer where he developed an appreciation for the role that the law plays in protecting intellectual property. This appreciation led him to law school to become a patent attorney.

He has over a decade of experience preparing and prosecuting domestic and international patent applications and enjoys taking the time to understand the nuances of the intellectual property he works to protect.

“Michael’s start as a mechanical engineer provides him valuable experience as a creator of intellectual property,” said Founding Partner, John Scheef. “We are excited to have him on our team to help clients protect their valuable and hard work.”

Prior to joining the firm, Michael worked as a senior IP counsel at a large company focused on electrifying the commercial transportation industry.

Michael’s addition further solidifies Scheef & Stone’s position as a leader in the IP and legal community.