Stephen Lemmon

Partner

Phone: (512)220-2688
Fax: (512)236-9904
Email: lemmon@slollp.com

Steve has over 33 years of bankruptcy experience in courts across the United States.  Steve worked his way through school as an ironworker in Houston, Texas.  After law school, Steve joined the bankruptcy boutique of Sheinfeld, Maley & Kay in Houston, Texas (along with Sabrina Streusand), where he became a partner.  Steve specialized in litigation regarding debtor-creditor issues and reorganizations.  Steve also developed an expertise in construction law, insurance coverage, and white collar criminal defense.  Steve later joined Brown McCarroll in Austin Texas, which later merged into Husch Blackwell, a national law firm.  While most of his work is in Houston, Texas, Steve represents debtors and creditors in cases across the country.  Steve also advises directors and officers in insolvency situations and bankruptcy cases.  Steve’s expertise combines well-honed courtroom skills with substantive financial and bankruptcy knowledge.

Representative Engagements

• Defended bank in claims involving the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO) and counterclaims arising out of loan to an owner and operator of oil leases.
• Represented lender in arbitration of claims for international trade credit insurance
• Represented international trade credit seller in defense of financial warranty claims
• Represented investment banking/venture capital defendants in fraudulent transfer action resulting from leveraged buyout of major trucking line
• Advised plaintiff in lawsuit seeking rescission and fraud damages related to purchase of a chemical distribution business
• Represented bank in defense of claims of law firm in connection with forged check scheme by office manager
• Counseled lender in prosecution of claims arising from check-kiting scheme
• Represented bank in connection with fraud and defalcations by owners of largest manufacturing facility in McAllen, Texas
• Counseled estate executor in jury trial of claims brought by ex-wife of decedent related to alleged fraud in connection with establishment and maintenance of off-shore trusts
• Represented apartment-management company in trial of claims of accounting fraud and kickbacks brought by owner of complex
• Defended board of directors of publicly traded company in insider trading and breach of fiduciary duty claims brought by shareholder
• Represented chemical distributor in class action brought by Desert Storm veterans alleging exposure to toxins on battlefield
• Represented nationwide title company in connection with claims brought by consumers
• Advised consumer in prosecution of fraud claims against mortgage broker and mortgage company related to failure to honor commitment agreement
• Represented subsidiaries of major savings and loan in connection with bankruptcies
• Represented banks in connection with federal Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act claims brought in bankruptcy court
• Assisted acquirer in plan litigation trial in bankruptcy of largest power plant in Louisiana
• Represented pipeline acquirer in bankruptcy and related litigation arising from right of way and construction disputes
• Represented holder of senior secured notes in major real estate subdivision bankruptcy
• Represented lender in interrelated bankruptcies of cancer infusion treatment centers, emergency rooms and medical office buildings
• Represented bank group in connection with preference claims
• Counseled debtor in national retail bankruptcy in connection with litigation of contested plan of reorganization
• Represented lender in connection with golf course borrower insolvencies
• Represented various executives in connection with stock options, severance packages and related issues in terminations from technology companies
• Represented various individuals in connection with dissolution of business entities
• Advised chemical distributor in investigation and negotiations with federal prosecutors and Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) agents in connection with allegations of alcohol smuggling to Russia
• Represented defendant/owner of amusement park in jury trial of federal arson prosecution
• Represented witness in connection with civil and criminal securities fraud litigation
• Advised former bank director in 11 week federal criminal jury trial
• Represented major manufacturer in state environmental criminal prosecution
• Represented major retailer in 3 week jury trial regarding common area maintenance charges

Recognition

• 2021 Super Lawyer and AV-rated with Martindale-Hubbell’s AV Preeminent Peer Review Rating

Professional Associations, Memberships, and Awards

• Austin Bar Association
• Turnaround Management Association
• Bankruptcy Inns of Court
• Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers Association
• Travis County Criminal Defense Lawyers Association
• Martindale-Hubbell AV Preeminent
• Texas Super Lawyers, Bankruptcy or Business Litigation Law, 2004-2007, 2010, 2013-2017

Oil & Gas Related Presentations

• A Whole New Ballgame: Oil and Gas in the Trump Administration
• Oil and Gas Bankruptcy – Are You Prepared?

Admissions

• Texas 1984
• New York 2008
• United States Supreme Court 2001
• U.S. District Court, Southern District of Texas 1984
• U.S. District Court, Western District of Texas 1989
• U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Texas 2008
• U.S. District Court, Northern District of Texas 2003

Education

• J.D., University of Texas School of Law, 1984
  • Phi Eta Sigma, Phi Delta Phi
• B.A., University of Texas at Austin, 1980
  • Phi Beta Kappa