Steve Stodghill’s practice emphasizes all aspects of complex litigation and solidifies him as one of the most accomplished commercial litigators in the country. He has successfully represented numerous high-profile clients across a wide array of complex commercial litigation areas, including over 20 prominent billionaires, Fortune 100 corporations, professional athletes, high-profile celebrities, world-renowned actors, and the owners of the Dallas Mavericks, Texas Rangers, Dallas Stars, Kansas City Chiefs, Liverpool Football Club, and FC Dallas. Since 2019, he has served as Public Safety Commissioner for the State of Texas, an appointment by Texas Governor Greg Abbott, has a Secret Level Clearance from Homeland Security, and has testified multiple times before the Texas State Senate on issues related to public safety.
In addition to being chief litigation counsel to Mark Cuban and the Dallas Mavericks for over 20 years, Steve has previously represented the interests of over 20 billionaires and other high-net-worth individuals, including Clark Hunt, the Reeder Family interests, Todd Wagner, Tom Dundon, Tom Hicks, Lamar Hunt, Trammell Crow, Phil Romano, Richard Rogers, Tim Headington, Gerald Ford, John Rochon, Geoffrey Raynor, Jim Dondero, the Wilks Brothers, and multiple members of the Al Rajhi family. He has also represented Alex Rodriguez (former 14-time MLB All-Star and 3-time MVP), Rolando Blackman (Dallas Maverick Four-time NBA All-Star), Chuck “The Iceman” Liddell (UFC Champion), Jeff Frye (Texas Rangers’ shortstop), Carrie Prejean (former Miss California and first runner-up Miss USA), and her husband, Kyle Boller (quarterback Baltimore Ravens, Oakland Raiders), actor Judge Reinhold, David Yarrow (world’s top photographer), Vince Young (quarterback, Tennessee Titans, Philadelphia Eagles), Michael Brockers (defensive end, St. Louis Rams, Detroit Lions), Jonathan Scott (former offensive tackle, Detroit Lions, Buffalo Bills, Pittsburgh Steelers), Mack Brown (former Head Coach at the University of Texas), and the John Wayne family. Steve has also represented multiple Real Housewives of Dallas, nationally syndicated radio host Glenn Beck, Ambassador Kenn George, Sir Conor Burns (former Minister of State for Trade Policy of the United Kingdom), Jeremy Lock (seven-time Military Photojournalist of the Year), two former Playmates of the Year, and Miss Teen Texas.
He has represented numerous prominent companies, including ExxonMobil, Yahoo!, Bank One, Zurich Financial, Mary Kay Cosmetics, Alcatel, Guaranty Federal Bank, Trammell Crow, Texaco, Xerox, Sabre, Eljer Industries, Qwest, Hunt Asset Management, Callaway Golf, Dean Foods, Fossil, broadcast.com, Richmont, U.S. Risk, Generation Partners, Prophet Equity, Comerica Bank, PlainsCapital Bank, AdvoCare, Worldwide Express, Cook Children’s Hospital, and Driscoll Children’s Hospital in significant litigation matters.
In September 2019, Governor Greg Abbott appointed Steve to the Texas Public Safety Commission, which oversees the Texas Department of Public Safety (TxDPS), the agency responsible for statewide planning and policy formation regarding the enforcement of criminal, traffic, and safety laws; crime prevention; and law and public safety education. With an annual budget of $1.2 billion, TxDPS employs 11,000 individuals across 13 divisions including the Texas Rangers, Texas Highway Patrol, Driver License, Regulatory Licensing, and Intelligence and Counterterrorism. In addition, the Commission interfaces with the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Central Intelligence Agency, National Security Agency, Department of Defense, and similar federal agencies, while advising the Governor in responding to state emergencies such as natural disasters, mass shootings, insurrections, invasions, and acts of terrorism.
Steve is an Eagle Scout with a Silver Palm, the highest rank in Scouting, and graduated with high honors, Phi Beta Kappa, from the University of Texas at Austin. He has traveled to 95 countries on all 7 continents.
In addition to his legal acumen, Steve has extensive experience in film acting and production, with credits featured on IMDb. His acting roles include appearances in The Wendell Baker Story (2007), Karma Police (2008), Dinner (2010), Occupy, Texas (2015), The Starck Club (2016), Undying (2019), and Satanic Panic (2019). In 2018, Steve launched Last Rodeo Studios, which quickly gained recognition with its first two feature films, Scare Me and Save Yourselves!, both premiering at Sundance and later securing international distribution. The studio continued its success with Somewhere Quiet, a suspense thriller that debuted at the Tribeca Film Festival in 2023.
Beyond feature films, Steve earned the prestigious Silver Telly Award in 2021 for co-producing BIG NIGHT (At the Museum), a project that celebrated the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum and raised over one million dollars for the institution. The film also received a Bronze MUSE Award and multiple additional Telly Awards for excellence in engagement and production.
Steve’s creative reach extends into literature, appearing as a character in John Grisham’s The Exchange (2023) and thrillers by authors Harry Hunsicker and Brian Cuban.
In addition to his recognition in the legal community, Steve has received six major awards for his philanthropic efforts on behalf of charitable organizations in Dallas:
- The 2024 Angel Award presented annually by the Farrah Fawcett Foundation for his work with cancer-related initiatives, including Cattle Baron’s Ball.
- The 2021 Silver Telly Award for his co-production of BIG NIGHT (At the Museum), a film which highlighted the legacy of the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum in Nashville, Tennessee.
- The 2018 Larry Schoenbrun Jurisprudence Award presented annually by the Anti-Defamation League to a member of the legal community for outstanding leadership, exemplary contributions to the community, and a commitment to the ideals of the ADL.
- The 2018 Obelisk Award presented annually by the Business Council for the Arts to companies and individuals whose contributions and achievements in the arts have made a profound impact in North Texas.
- The 2017 Stodghill Award presented annually by the Dallas Film Society and Dallas International Film Festival to individuals based on their long-term efforts in support of film in North Texas.
- The 2012 Milton Levy Award presented annually by Special Care and Career Services/LaunchAbility for lifetime service to children and young adults with cognitive disabilities.
