Biography

Biography

Stephen is a partner for the firm and is a transactional attorney who practices in the areas of corporate, partnership, securities compliance, estate planning and succession law with a particular emphasis on entity formation and management, mergers and acquisitions, and other divestitures and business disputes.  Stephen and his wife, Tiffany, have two children (Lillian -7 years and Joseph – 3 years). Stephen is an avid runner, who annually runs the Boston Marathon, and competes in other marathons and ultra marathon trial races. He and his wife are also active with their church – Norris Ferry Community Church.

Stephen received his undergraduate and graduate degrees from Texas A&M University, where he attended a five-year Professional Program in Accounting. Upon graduating and prior to attending law school, Stephen was employed by Arthur Andersen, L.L.P. in its Dallas, Texas office as a Certified Public Accountant. In this capacity, Stephen participated in the organization and performance of financial audits for a variety of corporations with a primary specialization in the real estate industry.

Stephen obtained his law degree from Louisiana State University, where he was a member of the Order of the Coif and a Senior Board Editor for the Louisiana Law Review. He graduated ranked 3rd in his law school class. He was a member of the Student Bar Association Ethics Committee (2003-2005) and appeared on the Chancellor’s List five times.

Representative Experience

Representative Experience
  • Represented borrower in the establishment of a $50 million revolving credit facility established for investments in the oil and gas industry.
  • Represented client in the establishment of multiple equity funding commitments of up to $100 million for use in the oil and gas industry.
  • Represented sellers in the sale of a large fuel and packaging business to a publicly owned NASDAQ company.
  • Represented sellers in the sale of approximately $115 million in oil and gas interests to a publicly owned NYSE company.
  • Drafted public placement memorandum and other related instruments for the establishment of a $70 million oil and gas investment vehicle.
  • Represented sellers in the sale of $150 million plus franchised business.
  • Represented sellers in the sale of a $40 million plus physician practice to a billion dollar backed private equity firm.
  • Represented seller in the sale of a $40 million plus convenience store provider (franchisee) to the franchisor.
  • Represented sellers in the sale of a $20 million plus start-up health and fitness business.
  • Serve as outside counsel for large local family-owned oil and gas business that has diversified.
  • Serve as counsel for sellers of upscale lake residential lots in south Shreveport.
  • Represent large landowners with mineral contracts and related easements.
  • Advise high net worth individuals on structuring business transactions and transitioning wealth to the next generation.
  • Represent various business start-ups (including ones backed by Biomedical Research Foundation).

Education

Education
  • Louisiana State University Law Center J.D./B.C.L., 2005, Order of the Coif, Senior Board Editor for the Louisiana Law Review
  • Texas A & M University, B.B.A./M.S. in Accounting, 2000

Professional Recognition

Professional Recognition
  • Selected as a Rising Star for Super Lawyers (Louisiana) for business and corporate law
  • Listed in SB Magazine as one of Shreveport/Bossier’s best lawyers
  • Volunteer mentor for  2017 & 2018 Louisiana’s Startup Prize Qualifying event

Activities and Affiliations

Activities and Affiliations
  • American Bar Association
  • Louisiana Bar Association
  • Shreveport Bar Association
  • Board Member of Directors for the Tax and Estate Planning Council of Shreveport
  • Petroleum Club Board Member and Treasurer

 

Presentations

Presentations
  • “Achieving the Proper Remedy for a Dissenting Shareholder in Today’s Economy: Yuspeh v. Koch“, 65 La. L. Rev. 911, 2005.
  • Faculty Presenter for the National Business Institute – “Securities Law Compliance in Common Oil and Gas Transactions“, January 16, 2014.
  • Faculty Presenter for the National Business Institute’s – Business Law Boot Camp , August 29, 2017
  • Presenter for the Field Landman Seminar, May 17, 2018
  • Speaker at Louisiana Society of CPAs Estate & Financial Planning Workshop, August 24, 2022
Industries/Practices
  • Energy, Oil and Gas and Natural Resources
  • Partnership Tax and Planning Areas
  • Complex Estate and Trust Planning
  • Private Equity
  • Corporate and Securities Compliance
  • Federal and State Taxation
  • Mergers and Acquisitions
  • Entity Formation
Certifications
  • Certified Public Accountant
Bar Admissions
  • Louisiana, 2009
  • Colorado, 2007
  • Alabama, 2005