OWNER/MANAGING ATTORNEY

Stefanie represents both plaintiffs and defendants in complex commercial litigation, employment litigation, class action litigation, and patent litigation matters nationwide—both in federal and state courts, at both the trial and appellate levels.  Stefanie is licensed to practice law in both Texas and California and is admitted to practice before numerous federal district courts and the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit. 

In addition to her litigation practice, Stefanie acts as outside general counsel to growing companies that do not yet have in-house counsel, handling all their legal needs including managing all aspects of litigation; advising clients on employment issues and agreements to ensure compliance with state and federal law; advising clients on intellectual property strategy; advising clients on corporate formation and business operation strategy; and drafting and reviewing contracts.

Stefanie attended The University of Texas School of Law, where she was an avid participant in intermural/intramural mock trial and was inducted into the Order of the Barristers—a national organization that recognizes the top ten mock trial and moot court advocates at each law school each year.  She was also an editor of both The Review of Litigation and the American Journal of Criminal Law. 

Education

THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS SCHOOL OF LAW
Juris Doctor, 2008

SOUTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY
B.A., Political Science, 2005

Bar Admissions

• Texas, California

Select Representations

REPRESENTATION at ssl:

• Represented patent owner in appeal heard by the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit; drafted appellate briefing and argued appeal before a panel of the Court.

• Represented company and managing member in partnership dispute; assisted client with the negotiation of various contracts.

• Represented coach in breach of contract matter involving professional sports league.

• Represented artist in defending intellectual property rights.

• Advised various employers on employment law compliance, including state and federal leave and disability laws; state and federal anti-discrimination and harassment laws; separation agreements and termination letters; and response to employees' sexual assault allegation.

Representation prior to ssl:

• Acted as trial counsel to over 300 plaintiffs in mass action employment litigation filed in federal court.

• Defended Fortune 500 companies in patent infringement litigation; reached early and favorable settlement.

• Represented patent owners, at both the district court and appellate level, in numerous infringement suits.

• Represented British client in complex commercial litigation filed in New York state court and in declaratory judgment action filed by defendant’s insurer in federal court; drafted and argued winning responsive briefs at both the district court and appellate level.

• Represented misclassified store managers in wage-and-hour class action against national retailer; obtained class certification.

Honors

• Selected to the 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, and 2019 Texas Rising Stars lists. Each year, no more than 2.5 percent of the lawyers in the state are selected by the research team at Super Lawyers to receive this honor.

• Obtained a $4.03 million jury verdict on behalf of two plaintiffs in a ten plaintiff bellwether jury trial—second largest employment litigation verdict in Texas in 2012; ranked among top 5 employment litigation verdicts in Texas in 2010-2013; jury verdict ranked among the Top Texas 100 Verdicts and was admitted into the Texas Verdicts Hall of Fame (Employment category).

• Represented plaintiffs in a case resulting in a settlement that ranked as fourth highest in Texas in 2015.

Let's Play "Two Truths, a Half Truth, and a Lie" (i.e., a Twist on Everyone's Favorite Ice Breaker Game)

Stefanie will happily identify the half truth and the lie over coffee

• Stefanie wrote, produced, and starred in a CNN news segment featuring various United States Presidents' involvement in the NFL (the National Forensics League--not the National Football League). It never aired.

• Stefanie was once confused for Penelope Cruz, while at a cafe in Madrid. Stefanie laughed and ademantly denied that she was the famous actress, but the American tourist would not leave until she gave him an autograph. (As an aside, as flattering as that confusion was, Stefanie doesn't believe she looks anything like Penelope).

• Stefanie's great-great-great (?) uncle was a president of Mexico who was eventually assassinated.

• Stefanie was an understudy for the lead in an off-Broadway theatrical production during college. It was during this time that she met Tony award winner/Broadway legend Audra McDonald.