1.13.12
Scheef & Stone, L.L.P. is proud to announce our inclusion in Fortune magazine as part of Martindale-Hubell's 1st ever
"Top Ranked Law Firms." This is the first time Martindale has done a ranking for law firms and they have chosen to present the listing in Fortune magazine’s widely read “2012 Investor’s Guide” issue, on December 26th.
The complete list may be viewed here.
12.15.11
On December 15th Jay D. Crutcher made a presentation entitled “Succession Planning for Business Owners.” The presentation was held at the Gremillion Art Gallery (Dallas, Texas) for business owners and their professional advisors. The presentation included a detailed discussion of the legal, tax, financial, and business matters that are critical to planning for the purchase/sale of a business interest, structuring various changes in the ownership of a business and strategies to ensure the smooth transition of business operations.
11.10.11
Scheef & Stone partners Brent Kuwith Austin-basgler and Tom Kulik teamed up ed marketing firm Momentum Factor to host the inaugural 2011 "CxO Summit: New World, New Rules" on November 9, 2011 at the Sheraton downtown Dallas. Created for C-level executives in the direct selling industry, the summit highlighted emerging legal and marketing trends affecting direct selling companies. Emceed by former Olympic speed skier Vince Poscente, the well attended event also featured a CEO panel of industry executives sharing their thoughts and ideas for the industry. With turnout exceeding expectations, the firm anticipates this event becoming an annual gathering for industry executives in the future.
11.7.11
Kelly Crawford spoke at the "Receiverships in Texas 2011" seminar sponsored by the State Bar of Texas on November 4, 2011. His presentation, “Unlocking the Door to a Receiver’s Arsenal: A Receiver’s Best Weapons,” was delivered to a live and webcast audience of over 100 people.
9.15.11
Several Scheef and Stone partners will be speaking at the Direct Selling Association’s “Looking Forward Conference” in Washington, D.C. September 13 – 15, 2011. Tom Kulik and Brent Kugler will make presentations during the Legal and Government Relations workshop; Tom will speak on “Protecting Your Trademark Online,” and Brent will present “The Top 10 Laws Affecting Direct Selling.” Jay Crutcher will have the opportunity to speak during the Tax and Finance workshop, with a presentation on “Corporate Income & Franchise Tax Developments Affecting Direct Sellers.”
8.15.11
We are proud to announce that James Stafford has accepted an offer to join Scheef & Stone after a one-year clerkship with the firm.
James was introduced to Scheef & Stone during a firm marketing presentation by Bill Stone and Charlene Koonce at the J.L. Turner Legal Association meeting (Dallas’ African American Bar Association). After the presentation, James contacted Charlene who encouraged him to apply to the firm’s diversity clerkship program. Shortly after, he interviewed with Mark Simon and Brad Whitlock, and was offered a clerkship, which he accepted in the spring semester of 2011. James was invited to stay through the summer, and was offered a full time associate position on August 8.
Because James’ intellect, attitude, and work product immediately impressed every attorney at Scheef & Stone with whom he worked, James is the first participant in the diversity clerkship program offered a permanent associate position. As one of the first major steps in our commitment to improving the Firm’s diversity, he is also the first African American associate hired by Scheef & Stone.
James will graduate from Southern Methodist University’s Dedman School of Law in December, and we look forward to his “official” full-time start date after the February Bar exam. Until February, James continues clerking with the firm, but will be taking a short leave of absence to study for the bar, and also to celebrate the arrival of his first child later this fall.
6.13.11

Jim Pikl was part of a litigation team that tried a class action against Ford Motor Company in Cleveland, Ohio. Mr. Pikl’s clients are over 3,000 Ford car and truck dealers who proved that Ford breached their franchise agreement and overcharged them on sales of new vehicles for over 11 years. The Cuyahoga Court of Common Pleas in Cleveland entered summary judgment against Ford on liability and then a unanimous jury awarded the class representative a damages verdict of over $4 million, to which the Court then added interest making the representative’s total recovery in excess of $11 million. The Ohio court then applied the jury’s verdict formula to the entire class of plaintiffs and on June 10, 2011, the court entered judgment against Ford for $1.98 billion – by far the largest verdict ever entered against Ford Motor Company and one of the largest judgments in U.S. legal history. While Ford plans to appeal the judgment, Mr. Pikl and his legal team have expressed confidence that the judgment will be upheld by the appellate courts.
6.08.11

Brent Kugler's
article titled "Is Someone Soliciting Your Sales Force" was published in the June 6, 2011 edition of The World of Direct Selling online newsletter.
Click Here to view the full article.
6.08.11
Brent Kugler and Tom Kulik were featured speakers at the 2011 Direct Selling Association Annual Meeting June 5-7 in Miami, Florida.
The focus of Mr. Kugler’s presentation was strategies on how a direct sales company can prevent or discourage efforts to solicit members of its independent sales force.
Mr. Kulik presented on effective brand management strategies for direct selling companies in the age of online marketing and social media.
Mark Simon's article "The NLRA's Impact on Non-Union Employers" is included in the June 2011 issue of the Dallas Bar Association's Headnotes. Click here to read the article online.
Congratulations to Mitch Little for his nomination as the 2011 Collin County Trial Lawyer of the Year Award. The winner will be announced on Saturday, June 4th at the annual Collin County Bench Bar Conference.
5.25.11
Scheef & Stone attorneys Kelly Crawford, Bill Stone and Brad Whitlock have been selected for inclusion in D Magazine's "Best Lawyers in Dallas" for 2011. The list will be featured in the May issue of D Magazine and can be found online here.
5.23.11

Paula Beasley was featured on Citybizlist as a Top Lawyer in Dallas. Click here to learn more about Citybizlist and the 11 major cities it serves.
5.17.11
New Attorney Joins Scheef & Stone
Paul Lein · Dallas Location · Formerly with the firm Storm LLP,
Paul joins us as an associate in our IP Litigation section.
4.15.11
Dallas I.S.D. Law Students visit Scheef & Stone offices
April 14 and 15, 2011, approximately fifty freshmen students from L.G. Pinkston High School’s Law Magnet program visited the Dallas offices of Scheef & Stone, L.L.P. Pinkston’s program includes students interested in the legal and law enforcement fields. The students heard from several Scheef & Stone lawyers on different topics such as "Being a Lawyer in a Digital World" from IP and Technology lawyer, Tom Kulik, as well as "Higher Education on a Very Low Budget" from Bill Garrison.
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3.29.11
New Attorney Joins Scheef & Stone
Jacob W. Sparks · Scottsdale
Location · University of Oklahoma College of Law, J.D 2008.; Oklahoma Christian University, B.S. 2004
Scheef & Stone attorney, Mitch Little, has been selected to Texas Rising Stars for 2011 as a top securities litigation lawyer. Mitch was selected based on nominations by other attorneys, including members of the Texas Super Lawyers list, and is currently the only honoree from Collin County in this area of practice. "Our objective with Super Lawyers is to create a credible, comprehensive and diverse listing of outstanding attorneys." - Texas Super Lawyers - Rising Star Edition 2011. This list of Rising Star Lawyers is also published in the April Issue of Texas Monthly. Congratulations Mitch!
3.23.11
Eric Wood has been selected to Texas Rising Stars for 2011 as a top business litigation lawyer. Rising Stars are selected based on nominations by other attorneys, including members of the Texas Super Lawyers list. Honorees are the top up-and-coming Texas attorneys who are 40 or younger or have been in practice for fewer than 10 years. Fewer than 2.5 percent of attorneys in the state were chosen for this honor. This year’s Rising Stars list is featured in the April issue of Texas Monthly magazine. It also is available in the current issue of Texas Rising Stars, a publication co-produced by the publishers of Texas Monthly and Law & Politics Media, Inc. Congratulations Eric!
2.15.11

Scheef & Stone partner, Mark Simon, has been elected to the Board of Directors for Habitat for Humanity of South Collin County, Texas.
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2.13.11
The Prestonwood Christian Academy's Mock Trial Team claimed the Texas Region 10 Championship with their victory this past Saturday in a stunning, two hour marathon trial. With their program only in it's second year, the team coached by Scheef & Stone attorney Leslie Sanderson, PCA parent/ lawyer Michelle Scheef, PCA teacher Michael Head and PCA Speech and Communications Director Brent Pesola,
will all be heading to the Texas State Championship in March. Good Luck to the PCA Lions and Congratulations in this major milestone!
1.10.11
Scheef & Stone would like to announce James Stafford, a law student from SMU's Dedman School of Law, as our intern throughout the spring semester. He will be providing assistance in various research and drafting projects, participating in many "real world" assignments, as well as attending mediations, trials, hearings and client meetings all set up through our own Diversity Intern Program. Welcome James!
12.27.10
New Attorneys Join Scheef & Stone
Bruce A. Stockard · Dallas
Location · Southern Methodist University School of Law, J.D.; Southern Methodist University, B.A.
John G. Fischer · Dallas
Location · Southern Methodist University School of Law, J.D.; California State University at Long Beach, University of Oklahoma, Graduate School of Business; University of Southern California, B.S.
12.22.10
Scheef & Stone attorney, Byron Prescott, collected more than 100 stuffed animals to be donated to Children's Medical Center of Dallas.
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12.17.10
Scheef & Stone, L.L.P. would like to send out our Sincerest Wishes for Hope, Happiness and Peace this Holiday Season.
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11.08.10

This past Sunday, the Dallas Morning News named Scheef & Stone, L.L.P., as one of DFW's "Top 100 Places to Work 2010."
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11.06.10

Tom Kulik has a featured article in the November issue of the Dallas Bar Association Headnotes. The article entitled "Stormy Weather: Forecasting the Legal Issues in Cloud Computing", focuses on the legal issues related to "cloud computing", IT infrastructure via the internet, versus a more traditional on-site hardware and software installation support. Any business or company weighing their options must address the legal risks with this model, and may need to consider taking an umbrella before stepping outside.
To view the full article:
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11.03.10
On November 2-3, 2010, Tom Kulik and Brent Kugler traveled to Washington, D.C., to present at the Direct Selling Association's Legal Issues of the Day Conference. Their presentation successfully outlined the best methods for protecting your brand, ways to keep your product patents under lock-and-key- even after it is introduced, and making sure company policies are communicated adequately and often to ensure your intellectual property is as protected as it can be.
10.1.10
Scheef & Stone would like to announce Pam Stockwell, a law student from SMU's Dedman School of Law, as our intern throughout the fall semester. She will be providing assistance in various research and drafting projects, participating in many "real world" assignments, as well as attending mediations, trials, hearings and client meetings all set up through our own Diversity Intern Program. Welcome Pam!
9.30.10
Scheef & Stone L.L.P is pleased to announce that C. John Scheef, William E. Stone, Kelly M. Crawford and Brad Whitlock have been selected
for inclusion in 2010 Texas Super Lawyers!
The Super Lawyer process includes peer nominations, a blue ribbon
panel review and independent research of candidates. Congratulations
to our Scheef & Stone, L.L.P. attorneys for being for being recognized as a Texas Super Lawyer.
9.21.10
Thomas A. Kulik will be presenting "Partly Sunny with a Chance of Rain: Forecasting Legal Issues in Cloud Computing." This Dallas Bar Association CLE seminar will be held September 27th, at The Belo Mansion.
8.13.10
Scheef & Stone, L.L.P., is a proud sponsor for this year's Texas Minority Counsel Program being held on September 1-3, in Irving, Texas. The TMCP was created in 1993 with the mission of increasing opportunities for minority and women attorneys who provide legal services to corporate and government clients, and to expose those organizations to the legal talent found in the minority and woman community. For more information about the Texas Minority Counsel Program, or about their 18th Annual Conference, please visit their website: www.texasbar/TMCP.com
7.26.10

Kelly M. Crawford has been elected to membership in the Fellows of the Texas Bar Foundation. Mr. Crawford was selected for his outstanding professional achievements and commitment to the improvement of the justice system throughout the state.
Founded in 1965, the Texas Bar Foundation is the largest charitably-funded bar foundation in the country. Congratulations Kelly, for being recognized for your contributions to the legal profession!
7.1.10
On June 30, 2010, Brent Kugler and Eric Wood obtained a summary judgment to defeat a $2 million breach of contract claim against a Texas direct sales company. A Dallas federal court dismissed the plaintiffs' claims based upon evidence that the plaintiff did not own the direct sales distributorship that was the basis for the plaintiffs' claims and evidence showing that the defendant direct sales company had fully paid all amounts owed under the distributor agreement to the plaintiffs' former spouse.
6.3.10
On June 3, 2010 the Fifth Circuit issued a published opinion affirming the Eastern District of Texas' ruling, CFTC v. Hudgins, 620 F. Supp.2d 790 (E.D.Tex. 2009), enforcing an equitable lien on Florida homestead property in favor of the Receiver, Mr. Crawford. The opinion is a huge victory for the defrauded investors on whose behalf the lien was sought (and foreclosed). It means that not even the infamously protective Florida homestead exemption can prevent the recovery of funds obtained from defrauded investors and traced into a homestead. The opinion can be found at Crawford v. Silette, 2010 WL 2200464,_F.3d_ (5th Cir. June 3,2010). Mr. Crawford was represented by Charlene Koonce in the district court and in the Fifth Circuit.
5.11.10

Paula Beasley has been named one of D Magazine's "Best Women Lawyers Dallas 2010" in the Commercial Real Estate Section based on votes from other attorneys, as well as extensive research by the publication. She is featured in the May issue of D Magazine, and is also listed on their website. please visit: www.dmagazine.com
5.10.10
Scheef & Stone would like to announce Vance Gonzales, a law student from SMU's Dedman School of Law, as our intern throughout the fall semester. He will be providing assistance in various research and drafting projects, participating in many "real world" assignments, as well as attending mediations, trials, hearings and client meetings all set up through our own Diversity Intern Program. Welcome Vance!
4.28.10
Scheef & Stone, L.L.P. hosted an open house for local minority bar associations on Tuesday, April 27th at its Dallas office. In attendance were representatives and members from the J.L. Turner Legal Association, the Dallas Asian American Bar Association and the Dallas Hispanic Bar Association.
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4.22.10
Brad Whitlock will be delivering his speech “Getting Your Client Ready to Sell” on Friday, April 30, at the Essentials of Business Law CLE sponsored by the State Bar of Texas. This Continuing Legal Education Seminar will be hosted live in Dallas April 29-30, 2010 at the Westin Hotel Galleria.
3.29.10
Scheef & Stone is pleased to announce the addition of Travis E. Schwaer to the Firm. Travis is a cum laude J.D. and M.B.A. honors graduate from Texas Tech University and a B.B.A. graduate from Texas A&M University. He has represented clients in all phases of commercial real estate transactions involving the acquisition, development, financing, leasing and disposition of raw land, office, retail, multi-family and mixed-use properties. Currently, Travis focuses on distressed real estate practices including the take back, sale and leasing of REO properties and the modification of CMBS loans. His clients include special servicers, real estate developers, investors, institutional lenders and other national and multi-national corporate entities.
Scheef & Stone attorney, Mitch Little, has been selected to Texas Rising Stars for 2010 as a top securities litigation lawyer. Mitch was selected based on nominations by other attorneys, including members of the Texas Super Lawyers list, and is currently the only honoree from Collin County in this area of practice. "Our objective with Super Lawyers is to create a credible, comprehensive and diverse listing of outstanding attorneys." - Texas Super Lawyers - Rising Star Edition 2010. This list of Rising Star Lawyers is also published in the April Issue of Texas Monthly. Congratulations Mitch!
3.23.10
Eric Wood has been selected to Texas Rising Stars for 2010 as a top business litigation lawyer. Rising Stars are selected based on nominations by other attorneys, including members of the Texas Super Lawyers list. Honorees are the top up-and-coming Texas attorneys who are 40 or younger or have been in practice for fewer than 10 years. Fewer than 2.5 percent of attorneys in the state were chosen for this honor. This year’s Rising Stars list is featured in the April issue of Texas Monthly magazine. It also is available in the current issue of Texas Rising Stars, a publication co-produced by the publishers of Texas Monthly and Law & Politics Media, Inc. Congratulations Eric!
3.8.10
Today marks the opening of a new Scheef & Stone office in Phoenix, Arizona. We are very pleased to now offer our services to businesses of Scottsdale and the greater Phoenix areas. After practicing 4 years in Arizona, Stephen Womack, Esq., has rejoined the firm and is heading up our new office. For more information please contact Steve by telephone:(480) 302-3704; fax;(480) 302-3705; email; Stephen.womack@solidcounsel.com Learn more about the office location by clicking here.
2.11.10
Brent Kugler presented a webinar in conjunction with the Direct Selling Association's Coffee Break Briefing Series titled "FTC Testimonials Guidelines- What You Need to Know." The webinar focuses on new guidelines recently published by the Federal Trade Commission for evaluating testimonials and endorsements used by companies in advertising and the criteria used by the FTC in enforcement actions brought against companies accused of unfair or deceptive advertising practices.
2.08.10
Bryan Haynes has been elected to membership in the Fellows of the Texas Bar Foundation. Each year one-third of one percent of State Bar members are invited to become Fellows. These nominees are selected for their outstanding professional achievements and commitment to the improvement of the justice system throughout the state of Texas. Congratulations Bryan, for being recognized for your contributions to the legal profession!
1.11.10
Scheef & Stone would like to announce Monica Ramirez, a law student from SMU's Dedman School of Law, as our intern throughout the fall semester. She will be providing assistance in various research and drafting projects, participating in many "real world" assignments, as well as attending mediations, trials, hearings and client meetings all set up through our own Diversity Intern Program. Welcome Monica!
10.15.09
Scheef & Stone, L.L.P. seeks to recruit and retain new and lateral attorneys with strong legal skills and diverse backgrounds. Part of our commitment is developing strong relationships with professional, educational, and community groups. To this end, in the fall of 2009, Scheef & Stone created a Diversity Intern Program by partnering with with Southern Methodist University's Dedman School of Law to find talented young minorty law students looking to enhance their classroom education.
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