Stephanie works with companies engaged in complex litigations and class actions involving allegations of consumer fraud, false advertising, breach of warranty, breach of contract, and other torts. She represents clients in product liability, cannabis and business matters in state and federal courts.
Stephanie also advises product manufacturers and distributors on pre- and post-market safety issues including compliance with state and federal regulations across industries and product recall and corrective action best practices.
Stephanie has represented clients in business litigation involving breach of contract claims and royalty and licensing fee disputes. Her product liability experience includes automobiles, pharmaceuticals and natural supplements, medical devices, personal protective equipment, durable infant goods and various consumer products. Before joining Shook, Stephanie represented the only product manufacturer named in the In re World Trade Center respiratory litigation arising out of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.
A member of Shook’s search committee, Stephanie has also been recognized for her pro bono work at the firm. In her free time, Stephanie enjoys being with her family and serving her community through her work with the William B. Travis Foundation.
Representative Matters
Praetorian Global Inc. v. Eel River Organics, LLC – Praetorian Global was awarded a final arbitration award (and attorney’s fees) in a breach of contract arbitration with a former licensee. The arbitration ultimately hinged on whether the license agreements between a California entity and a Colorado entity were illegal under California’s Bureau of Cannabis Control’s regulations. The arbitrator’s award—quoting Shook’s brief—found for Praetorian on all counts and awarded damages plus attorney fees for the licensee’s breaches of contract. The award was confirmed in California state court despite the licensee’s arguments that the arbitrator exceeded her authority and that the agreements were illegal. The licensee appealed the confirmation. The California Court of Appeal, First Appellate District, Division One affirmed the confirmation of the arbitration award.Jackson Motors, Inc. v. Pumpco Energy Services – Pumpco Energy Services was sued for an alleged breach of contract. Pumpco contended no contract existed. Pumpco took the matter to trial and won on a directed verdict.
Presentations and Publications
Inside View: A Frank Discussion Of Legal And Ethical Considerations For Corporate Counsel, ABA Motor Vehicle Product Liability Litigation Conference, April 11, 2024.
Why Outsourcing is the Future of Business, 2023 East End Means Business, September 19, 2023.
I’m an Attorney. Now What?, First Generation Attorneys Committee Panel, Houston Young Lawyers Association, March 2023.
Nurturing the Next Generation in Legal, CenterForce Diversity in Law Series Houston, April 27, 2022.
Ethical Minefields of a Multi-State Cannabis Law Practice, State Specific Cannabis Regulations, State Bar of Texas Cannabis CLE Webinar, March 2022.
Mini-Roundtable: Drug and Medical Device Litigation, Corporate Disputes, January – March 2022 (with Chris Gramling, Jennifer Hill and Benjamin Walther).
New Guidance on Waste Disposal for Hemp Producers, Cannabis Industry Journal, February 11, 2021 (with Emily Sellers).
Managing Biomass and Biowaste From the Hemp and Cannabis Industries, CLE Webinar, Food and Drug Law Institute, December 9, 2020 (with Keith Matthews).
Remote Trials and Hearings in the Pandemic—A Litigator’s Perspective, CLE Seminar, Houston Bar Association, February 5, 2021 (with Jennise Stubbs).
Why Europe May Serve as an Important Bellwether for Hempcrete Use in the United States, Cannabis Industry Journal, June 17, 2020.
Cashed Out – Bankruptcy and Alternatives for Distressed Companies in the Cannabis Industry, Cannabis Law Journal, June 2020 (with Sonila Themeli).
Navigating the Cannabis Conundrum, ACC Houston Annual Symposium, Houston, August 15, 2019 (with Lynne Eckels and John Lewis, Jr.)
Post Marketing Issues, Food and Drug Law Institute's Introduction to US Medical Device Law and Regulation, Washington, D.C., April 2018 (with John Constance).
Regulation of Drug Manufacturing, Food and Drug Law Institute’s Introduction to Drug Law and Regulation Course, Washington, D.C., April 2016.
Media
DEA Involvement Remains a Headache For Hemp Industry, Law360, February 4, 2021.