With an impressive tenure exceeding 35 years, Stephen Ray Smith
stands as a distinguished figure in the multifaceted realms of
complex civil litigation and transactional expertise. His diverse
portfolio encompasses an array of legal landscapes, including
commanding roles in commercial construction disputes, insurance
matters, corporate securities, corporate start-ups, mergers and
acquisitions, and real estate. Recognized for his unwavering
commitment to legal excellence, Stephen has been honored with the
prestigious AV Peer Review Rating of Preeminent by the
Martindale-Hubbell Law Directory.
Stephen embarked
on his academic journey at Texas A&M University, culminating in
the achievement of a Bachelor of Science in Economics with Honors in
1983. Subsequently, he pursued his legal education at the University
of Texas at Austin, where he earned his Doctor of Jurisprudence in
1986. After completing his legal studies, Stephen embarked on an
impactful trajectory, beginning as an associate attorney and later
ascending to founding partner status at various distinguished law
firms. Most notably, he is a founding partner of the esteemed Legist.
Intriguingly,
Stephen's familial background as the son of a forty-year contractor
and entrepreneur in the greater Houston area has endowed him with a
unique perspective and deep-seated empathy for contractors and small
business proprietors of diverse backgrounds. This exceptional insight
has notably informed his specialized expertise in real estate and
construction matters, representing a plethora of contractors and
business owners over three decades. Furthermore, Stephen's firsthand
experience as an owner and developer of commercial and residential
real estate projects lends a profound depth to his legal counsel.
Exemplary
Showcases of Client Engagements
Stephen's
illustrious career spans over 350 business and construction-related
legal matters, with an impressive 50 first-chair trial experiences,
the majority of which were jury trials. His representative
accomplishments include:
Business
Litigation Matters:
• Litigating
deceptive trade practices cases involving the sale of new and used
equipment.
• Advocating in
real estate development and partnership dispute litigation.
• Representing
clients in multifaceted cases concerning trade secrets, their misuse,
and theft.
• Exhibiting
substantial proficiency in stock fraud cases, addressing issues of
market manipulation, short selling, and fraudulent financing.
• Successfully
navigating a partition action as a court-appointed receiver,
culminating in the sale of separate tracts totaling approximately $35
million.
• Defending an
oil field services company against fraudulent investor attempts
through a disputed reverse merger.
• Pursuing
wrongful death cases due to inadequate workplace security, asserting
negligence and gross negligence.
• Victoriously representing creditors and prior owners in complex
state court and bankruptcy litigation involving oil field
environmental waste subsidiaries.
• Steadfastly
representing publicly traded clients in multi-dimensional stock fraud
cases encompassing allegations of short selling, fraud, RICO, and
credit facility violations.
• Achieving
settlements exceeding eight figures for surviving family members
asserting wrongful death claims against a major international oil
company.
• Securing a
seven-figure verdict in a high-stakes trucking case involving a
prominent diesel engine manufacturer and tractor truck manufacturer.
Construction
Related Litigation:
• Garnering a
seven-figure verdict for a contractor in a breach of contract and
warranty case for the construction of a new manufacturing facility.
• Advocating
for a general contractor in a $14 million damages case arising from a
bulkhead replacement project.
• Defending a
contractor against a concrete plasticizer additive manufacturer in a
case involving a failed tank wall.
• Asserting
claims for damage to work due to differing site conditions and faulty
geotechnical studies.
• Litigating
improper design and testing claims in cases involving asphaltic
concrete degradation.
• Championing
mechanic's and materialmen's lien issues in government and private
work contracts.
• Navigating
disputes related to OSHA violations and equipment-related fatalities.
• Representing
clients in cases of construction failure caused by owner, general
contractor, and subcontractor delays.
• Advocating
for clients in work interference claims asserted by subcontractors.
• Asserting
owner damage claims arising from contractor deviations from plans and
specifications.
• Successfully
representing an owner in an arbitration concerning a contractor's
mid-project abandonment.
• Advocating
for numerous subcontractors in claims of non-payment and rights
assertion under mechanic's lien, trust fund, and prompt payment
statutes.
Professional
Affiliations:
• State Bar of
Texas
• Houston Bar Association
Stephen Ray
Smith's legacy is etched with remarkable accomplishments in intricate
legal landscapes, from construction litigation to diverse business
arenas. His dedication, profound insight, and relentless pursuit of
justice stand as a testament to his enduring impact in the realm of
law.
