Steven is an associate in the firm’s Texas office. His practice primarily focuses on construction litigation with an emphasis in surety representation. In addition, he has extensive experience in complex commercial litigation, bankruptcy, secured transactions, insurance coverage, and general business transactions. Prior to joining the firm, Steven was an attorney with a boutique law firm in Dallas where he specialized in representing owners, general contractors, subcontractors, and suppliers on a wide variety of construction-related issues, including contract negotiations, litigation, and alternative dispute resolution. He also previously worked for two bankruptcy firms in Dallas as well as spent time with the Department of Justice and Department of Transportation. While in law school, he served as a Student Attorney in the SMU Civil Clinic where he represented real clients and handled pro bono cases. When not working, Steven enjoys traveling, spending time with his family, and practicing his French.
 

REPRESENTATIVE CASES
 

U.S. Fire Insurance Co. v. Martin Contractors, LLC, et al., 2022 WL 4227527 (S.D. Ala. 2022). The Court granted the Surety’s Motion for Summary Judgment against non-principal indemnitors in the amount of $802,713.59 for losses and expenses incurred in connection with payment and performance bonds for various construction projects in the State of Alabama.

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In re: Reytech Services, LLC, Case No. 22-40334-mxm11. Successfully defended surety in contested cash collateral dispute with debtor in Chapter 11 over debtor’s request for authority to use $542,762.90 in surety’s garnished bank account funds. (debtor’s motion denied and case dismissed).

 

Philadelphia Indemnity Insurance Company v. City of Lampasas, Texas, et al., Cause No. 22142. Successfully prosecuted interpleader proceeding between municipality, surety, principal, and supplier to final adjudication.

 

In re: City Lift Parking, LLC, Case No. 21-42201-mxm7. Represented developer and surety in successfully recovering critical materials for completion of apartment construction project and obtaining order compelling debtor’s rejection of $3,905,653 subcontract.

 

In re: Red River Waste Solutions, LP, Case No. 21-42423-elm11. Prepared and filed motion to compel rejection of solid waste and recycling collection contracts between waste management company in Chapter 11 and large municipality as well as negotiated resolution of $1,718,569 performance bond claim against surety with debtor and municipality.

 

In re: Bill Starks Construction Company, Case No. 21-10081-rlj11. Obtained bankruptcy court approval of bonding program for utilities contractor in Chapter 11, resolved payment bond claims, successfully managed cash collateral issues on $1,077,922 bonded project, and resolved indemnity issues so that surety was reimbursed for any losses.

 

In re: Bainbridge Uinta, LLC, et al., 2021 WL 2692265 (Bankr. N.D. Tex. 2021). Negotiated and obtained bankruptcy court approval of settlement agreement between upstream oil and gas company, utilities provider, and surety for cancellation of $1,403,000 in surety bonds and resolution of bond claims.

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In re: Rockdale Marcellus Holdings, LLC, et al., Case No. 21-22080-GLT. Obtained bankruptcy court approval of settlement between natural gas exploration and production company and surety for resolution of state court lawsuit and requiring debtor to deposit $1,000,000 in collateral as security for surety’s renewing and extending post-petition bonding to debtor.

 

Maguire-O’Hara Construction, Inc. v. Cool Roofing Systems, Inc., 2020 WL 5801086 (W.D. Okla. 2020). Obtained judgment on the pleadings for dismissal of $2,579,240 claim by subcontractor against surety on Miller Act project.

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Nicasio Electric Company, LLC v. Armstrong Roles, LLC, et al., Cause No. 18-08-25130. Awarded summary judgment for dismissal of payment bond claim in its entirety against surety on McGregor Act project.

 

In re: Southern Food Groups, et al., Case No. 19-36313. Successfully preserved $3,012,000 in surety’s collateral and negotiated resolution of claims against surety in principal’s bankruptcy.

 

Gaul v. RS Custom Homes, Inc., et al., 261st Judicial District Court of Travis County, Texas, No. D-1-GN-16-002609. A $3 million judgment in favor of homeowner against general contractor and numerous subcontractors was granted for defective work performed at home located on Lake Travis in Austin, Texas.

 

Putnam v. US Flooring Factory Kitchen & Bath, Case No. 19-CV-0348. Awarded $117,939.34 summary judgment in construction dispute between property owner and general contractor.

 

PROFESSIONAL AND CIVIC ACTIVITIES
 

American Bar Association, Member of Construction Law Section
 

State Bar of Texas, Member of Bankruptcy Law, Business Law, and Construction Law Sections
 

Dallas County Bar Association
 

Dallas Association of Young Lawyers
 

Rotary Club of Dallas

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PRACTICE AREAS
 

Bankruptcy
Complex Commercial Litigation
Construction Litigation
Insurance Coverage
Secured Transaction
Surety Law

 

HONORS
 

Super Lawyers Texas Rising Stars (2021-2023)

Recipient of three-year SMU Dedman School of Law Dean’s Scholarship

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Recipient of four-year ASU Dean’s merit scholarship

 

EDUCATION
 

J.D., SMU Dedman School of Law (2017)
 

Dual B.S., Arizona State University (2014)

 

BAR AND COURT ADMISSIONS
 

Texas, 2018
 

U.S. District Court for Colorado
 

U.S. Bankruptcy Court for Colorado

U.S. District Courts for the Eastern, Northern, Southern and Western Districts of Texas

U.S. Bankruptcy Courts for the Eastern, Northern, Southern and Western Districts of Texas