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Scheef & Stone Welcomes Bryan Haynes’ Return

By News & Events

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.

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

By News & Events

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.

Scheef & Stone Attorneys Assist in Company Acquisition

By News & Events

Scheef & Stone is pleased to announce that two of our attorneys, Roger Crabb and Margaret Ricchi, assisted First Rate Ventures in a successful corporate acquisition.

The transaction involved First Rate, Inc acquiring the Wealth Management Platform including performance reporting, portfolio management, and trading & rebalancing from InvestEdge, Inc.

“This result was a culmination of excellent work by Roger and Margaret,” said Scheef & Stone founding partner, John Scheef. “We are proud of our attorneys’ commitment to achieving solid results for our clients.”

Roger has over 25 years of experience negotiating and documenting corporate transactions, including mergers and acquisitions, private and public market financings, and general commercial transactions.

Margaret is a corporate and business lawyer who uses her past litigation experience to help domestic and international businesses. With a focus on mergers and acquisitions, she is dedicated to guiding her clients through all their transactions.

Spotlight: Jane Taber, Corporate & Business Law, Healthcare

By Attorney Spotlight

In celebration of Women’s History Month, Scheef & Stone illustrates how past inspires us to redefine the future and showcases the inspiration and expertise of the women attorneys who elevate our firm and client service.


What woman in the firm or the business community inspires you and why?

The North Texas business community is fortunate to have wonderful women leaders who serve as role models to those just starting out in the business world.  I’ve gotten to know these truly inspirational women even better through Scheef & Stone’s Women to Women Business Series luncheons. Several of our guests not only shine in their chosen professions but also give back to the business community.

For example: Kelly Kunst is a world-class financial planner who formed Your Executive Symphony in 2009, an organization that supports entrepreneurs. Her passion for entrepreneurship is evident in the servicing of her business owner clients and the service she gives to the business community through her nonprofit organization. Deb Purvin, an Olympic skier, commercial banker, and owner of Business Owners MBA is truly an inspiration. After leaving the banking world, Deb devotes her full time to teaching business owners how to be successful through her proven BOMBA methodology. Her dedication has produced dozens of happy business owners, many of whom have sold their businesses for far more than what they ever dreamed their company could be worth – all due to Deb’s counseling and advice. Melanie Kuhr, former executive at a Fortune 100 company, bought a millwork company as a passive investor 20 years ago only to end up quitting her corporate job to take over the fledging millwork company and turn it around in terms of financial strength, reputation, and growth – all while simultaneously authoring a book about her family home and the Holocaust.  I feel so fortunate that Deb, Kelly and Melanie – and many others – have been consistent attendees of our luncheon and continue to set a high standard of what is possible for women in business.

If you could have dinner with anyone alive or dead, who would it be and why?

I’d like to spend an evening over dinner with my great-grandparents – all eight of them!  I never met them, but I think it would be fascinating to speak with them about life – including raising all four of my grandparents – in the early 1900s. I loved visiting with my grandparents until their deaths and would love to hear from their parents about their early years and what influenced them to be who they became.  I think learning life before all the technology we take for granted existed would be interesting.

What led you to the practice of law and/or to your specific area of law?

I didn’t know any lawyers growing up, nor had any in my family. However, I was pretty good at making logical arguments throughout high school, knew I didn’t really want to work for anyone, and was determined to earn an advanced degree. I was either going to get an MBA or a law degree. One of my sorority sisters, who had just started her first year of law school, suggested I take the LSAT and, if I did well, go for the law degree. I took the exam, was accepted into law school, and the rest is history.

How is being a woman lawyer advantageous?

I find women lawyers to be good listeners. As a business attorney, I am always negotiating terms and being a good listener is a good attribute when you are trying to suggest language amenable to all parties. Rather than trying to convince someone to accept your language, it’s much easier to let them think it was their idea. Women tend to be gifted with the ability to do just that.

What advice (professional or personal) would you give your younger self or the next generation of women leaders?

You don’t have to do everything yourself. There are many people that would be happy to help you if you seek out their advice. People are flattered when asked their opinion and experience on a topic, so don’t be afraid to ask for help. Although you can figure it out yourself, you can waste a lot of time and energy in doing so.

To learn more about Jane, please click here.

Scheef & Stone Partner Elected a Fellow by the Texas Bar Foundation

By News & Events

Heather KayScheef & 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 BankingCorporate & BusinessReal 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.

Direct Selling Practice Group Ranked No. 3 in North America by Social Selling News

By News & Events

Brent KuglerScheef & 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 Elevates Heather Kay to Partner

By News & Events

Heather KayScheef & 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.

Scheef & Stone Partner Earns Fourth Consecutive D Magazine Best Lawyers Recognition

By News & Events

T. Chase GarrettScheef & Stone Partner T. Chase Garrett has been named to D Magazine‘s 2023 Best Lawyers Under 40 list, which recognizes up-and-coming attorneys in the Dallas region. Chase has been named to the list every year since 2020.

The list, published in D Magazine’s January 2023 issue, is compiled based on peer nominations and an independent panel review. Honorees will be recognized at a celebratory event being hosted by D Magazine on Jan. 26.

In his practice, Chase represents high-net-worth individuals and businesses in high-stakes cases. Chase focuses on early strategic planning for his clients to help them avoid the courtroom; however, when necessary, he has the experience to handle complex litigation matters. He advises on issues related to breach of contract, employment law, shareholder and partnership disputes, breach of fiduciary duty, misappropriation of trade secrets, violations of non-compete agreements, deceptive trade practices, interference with contracts, Fair Labor Standards Act claims, construction disputes, and business disparagement. Chase also has a niche practice representing the business interests of individuals going through divorce.