Steven Lockhart has nearly two decades of experience in commercial trial practice, focusing on high-stakes disputes. His litigation experience includes bankruptcy adversaries, fraudulent transfer actions, contract disputes, breach of fiduciary duty litigation, trade secrets and intellectual property disputes, corporate governance and control disputes, employee theft/fraud litigation, post-acquisition earn-out disputes, oil and gas disputes, and business fraud/torts litigation. He served as the Litigation Chair for the firm’s Dallas office from May 2018-April 2023.
Steven also has extensive experience representing financial institutions in a variety of disputes including bank fraud, Ponzi schemes, and regulatory investigations, in local, state, and federal venues. Working with traditional banks, as well as non-traditional lending institutions, Steven assists clients in the development of internal policies, procedures, and controls, advises on risk management issues, assists with bank regulatory compliance, and leads a team that handles litigation, arbitration, and bankruptcy proceedings.
His financial institution regulatory experience includes a variety of matters and investigations involving local municipalities, state governing bodies, and federal agencies, such as the Texas Office of the Consumer Credit Commissioner, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), the Special Inspector General for the Troubled Asset Relief Program (SIGTARP), and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB).
Although a trial lawyer, Steven is preemptive in working with clients to avoid problems and, because he has a deep understanding of their businesses, industry, and changes in the regulatory environment, he is a sought-after advisor to senior executives and the legal department. He is known for designing financially smart, common sense business solutions that are tailored to his clients’ issues and objectives.
대표 경험
- Obtained US $13m jury verdict in favor of Park Place Motorcars Ltd. and Park Place RB Ltd in fraud, theft, and fiduciary breach case against former independent contractor.
- CARBO Ceramics Inc. and its subsidiaries: Represented the Official Committee of Unsecured Creditors in the bankruptcy cases of this sand mining and proppant manufacturing company and its subsidiaries. After a significant valuation dispute, a settlement resulting in an agreed confirmed plan was negotiated. “The committee played a very valuable role in this case. I think it should give everyone confidence in the system that we had a committee that came in, I think under difficult circumstances, with a Debtor that is really on its back, and fought very hard and received substantial benefits for it constituency.” – J. Isgur, Transcript of Conf.Hrg. [Doc. 543, p.33].
- Obtained death penalty sanctions award in excess of US $485,000.00 for defendants’ discovery abuse and successfully defended against mandamus relief seeking to vacate sanctions order
- In fraudulent transfer case against purportedly divorced couple and their wholly controlled entities and trusts, following successful effort to obtain partial summary judgment declaring partition agreements relating to marital property division void ab initio, case favorably settled.
- Obtained injunction prohibiting former president of multi-level marketing company from engaging in competing business.
- 수백만 달러 규모의 저작권 침해 및 영업비밀 중재에서 문해력 프로그램 출판사를 변호했습니다. 2주간의 중재 끝에 유리한 조건으로 사건 해결.
- 다단계 마케팅 경쟁사 간의 분쟁에서 영업비밀 도용 및 기타 비즈니스 불법행위에 대한 청구를 변호했습니다. 폴리가 항소법원에서 가처분 신청을 통해 TRO를 뒤집은 후, 사건이 유리하게 해결되었습니다.
- Defended four separate lawsuits filed by multilevel marketing company against former independent contractor alleging unfair competition and other business tort claims.
- Represented seller in post-acquisition earn out dispute, resulting in favorable settlement of over US $6m.
- Represented seller in post-acquisition earn out dispute, resulting in favorable settlement of over US $4m.
항소 결정
- Greg Duncan, Freewood Group, LLC and McGray Group, LLC v. Park Place Motorcars Ltd. d/b/a Park Place Motorcars Dallas, and Park Place RB Ltd d/b/a Premier Collection, Bentley Dallas, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Dallas, et al, No. 05-19-00032-CV (Court of Appeals, Fifth District of Texas at Dallas).
- In re: Gregory D. Duncan, No. 05-18-00674-CV (Court of Appeals, Fifth District of Texas at Dallas).
- Kenneth A. Everhard v. PlainsCapital Bank, No. 13-18-00036-CV (Court of Appeals, Thirteenth District of Texas at Edinburg, Texas).
- In re: Elevacity LLC and Robert Oblon, No. 05-18-00135-CV (Court of Appeals, Fifth District of Texas at Dallas).
- Jack J. Grynberg, et al. v. Miriam Z. Grynberg, et al.; No. 05-16-00636-CV (Court of Appeals, Fifth District of Texas at Dallas).
수상 및 표창
- Recognized, Texas Rising Star by Super Lawyers, a Thomson Reuters business, as published in Texas Super Lawyers Magazine
- Business Litigation (2009, 2011)
제휴
- 텍사스 주 변호사 협회 회원
- Member, American Bar Association (ABA)
- Member, Dallas Association of Young Lawyers (DAYL)
커뮤니티 참여
- Volunteer, United Way
- 자원봉사자, 달라스 지역 해비타트 봉사자
- Member, Texas Tech Alumni Association
- Member, Red Raider Club
프레젠테이션 및 출판물
- Co-author, “Business Considerations of Force Majeure: Unintended Consequences,” Foley’s Coronavirus Resource Center (April 21, 2020).
Firm Leadership
- Dallas Litigation Chair (2018-April 2023)
- Foley Federal Political Action Committee (2021-present)
- Special Advisory Committee: Disruptive Forces (2020)
- Carl Hitchner Mentor of the Year Award (2019)
- 달라스 소송 위원장(2017~2018)
- 변호사 위원회 공동 의장(2014~2016)
- 관리 위원회
폴리 팀, 파산 사건에서 재판 승소로 '금주의 소송가' 표창 수상
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Generative AI Use in Litigation - Caveat Emptor
Business Considerations of Force Majeure: Unintended Consequences
