Steven Stewart

Steve Stewart has represented businesses and individuals throughout Texas for over 40 years.

Mr. Stewart's practice is focused primarily on energy transactions and litigation, complex business litigation, and commercial disputes. Mr. Stewart's vast experience together with his depth of knowledge gives him both a nuanced and sophisticated understanding of the oil and gas industry, real estate, construction and general commercial matters, which provides great value to his clients.

Mr. Stewart has effectively represented clients in a variety of energy disputes such as: lease access, surface use and damage claims, joint operating agreement disputes, operator and working interest disputes, royalty owner disputes, drilling contracts, mechanic’s and materialmen’s lien claims, COPAS accounting issues, ground and water contamination claims, surface and subsurface trespass claims, purchase and sale agreements, and farmout agreements.

Mr. Stewart's litigation experience is broad and has included representation of national and local banks, commercial and residential real estate developers, energy companies and royalty owners, securities brokerage houses, commercial and residential landlords and tenants, among others. His versatility and tenacity as a trial lawyer has been demonstrated by his having obtained a multimillion dollar verdict for his client in the longest civil jury trial in Bexar County history—lasting over nine months.  He is recognized for his work by his peers and publications alike and has been featured in Texas Architect on several occasions. He is also a thought leader in emerging oil and gas and construction law issues, having taught multiple CLE courses throughout his career.

Mr. Stewart's was a Partner at Jenkens & Gilchrist in Houston, Texas, before opening his Law Offices of J. Steven Stewart in 2001. Some of his professional highlights are listed below. 

• Represented Seattle First National Bank against Fireman’s Fund Insurance Company in a construction lawsuit involving the Kelly Field National Bank in San Antonio, Texas.  The trial was the longest civil jury trial in Bexar County history and resulted in a multimillion-dollar jury verdict and judgment for Seattle First National Bank.

• Represented Aldrich, Eastman & Waltch, Inc., developer of the Pavilion on Post Oak in all litigation stemming from the renovation of the shopping center.

• Represented Ventech Engineers, Inc. against a Sudanese construction company in a lawsuit involving construction of an oil refinery.  The case resulted in a multimillion-dollar jury verdict and judgment for Ventech. 

• Represented MDC/Wood, Inc., a Houston home developer, in a lawsuit brought by a large number of homeowners involving claimed damage resulting from an active fault in their subdivision. The case resulted in a summary judgment for MDC/Wood, Inc.  It was appealed and affirmed.

• Represented Southwestern Bell Telephone Company in defense of a wrongful death lawsuit involving multiple deaths.  The case resulted in a jury verdict dramatically less than the pretrial settlement offer from plaintiffs.  

Mr. Stewart is a member of the Christ the King Lutheran Church and enjoys being a member of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo Association.