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Craig A. Stanfield is a trial lawyer who prides himself on having deep expertise in his clients' businesses and processes.  Craig views client relationships a long-term partnership and has been recognized as a BTI Client Service All-Star.  This intimate knowledge of his clients, their businesses, processes, and products aids him in providing effective counseling to avoid litigation where possible, or preparing a compelling case if litigation and trial is necessary.  Craig is particularly adept at handling disputes involving complex concepts, whether those touch on engineering, scientific, or commercial matters. 

Craig litigates commercial, product liability, environmental, construction, and insurance recovery cases throughout the United States.  Although he advocates for early, efficient case resolution when possible, Craig takes cases to trial when necessary and has first-chair experience at the US state and federal levels, as well as before arbitration panels.  His practice covers manufacturing, automotive, energy, construction, aviation, financial services, computer software, and chemical, among others.

Craig’s appellate background also aids him to position cases for favorable resolution on appeal. Craig has litigated appeals in federal and state courts. He has represented clients successfully on direct appeals and original proceedings.  In his own pro bono practice, Craig represents students and veterans in First Amendment litigation before courts at all levels, including the US Supreme Court. Craig has also represented those seeking asylum due to government persecution in their home countries.

Full Bio

Credentials

J.D., Washington College of Law, cum laude

B.A., Texas A&M University, Magna Cum Laude

Texas

U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit

U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit

U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas

U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas

U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas

U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas

Judicial Clerk, Hon. Wanda McKee Fowler (ret.), Fourteenth Court of Appeals

American Bar Association

Houston Bar Association

Houston Bar Foundation

Texas Bar Foundation

Recognized in Commercial Litigation


The Best Lawyers in America, 2025

Benchmark Litigation Future Star


Benchmark Litigation (2024, 2025)

Recognized in Commercial Litigation


The Best Lawyers in America, 2024

Client Service All-Star


BTI Consulting, 2023

Recognized in Litigation - Environmental


The Best Lawyers in America, 2023

Recognized in Commercial Litigation


The Best Lawyers in America, 2022-2023

Texas Trailblazer


Texas Lawyer, 2020

Lawyers on the Rise


Texas Lawyer (2017)

Future Star


Benchmark Litigation (2015–2023)

Under 40 Hot List


Benchmark Litigation (2016, 2018, 2019)

Texas Rising Star


Texas Super Lawyers (2010, 2014–2019)

Top Litigator Under 40


Benchmark Litigation (2017)

Recommended in Energy, Environmental, Mass Tort, Product Liability, Class Action Defense


The Legal 500 US (2016, 2019, 2023, 2024)

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Recognition

Recognized in Commercial Litigation


The Best Lawyers in America, 2025

Benchmark Litigation Future Star


Benchmark Litigation (2024, 2025)

Recognized in Commercial Litigation


The Best Lawyers in America, 2024

Client Service All-Star


BTI Consulting, 2023

Recognized in Litigation - Environmental


The Best Lawyers in America, 2023

Recognized in Commercial Litigation


The Best Lawyers in America, 2022-2023

Texas Trailblazer


Texas Lawyer, 2020

Lawyers on the Rise


Texas Lawyer (2017)

Future Star


Benchmark Litigation (2015–2023)

Under 40 Hot List


Benchmark Litigation (2016, 2018, 2019)

Texas Rising Star


Texas Super Lawyers (2010, 2014–2019)

Top Litigator Under 40


Benchmark Litigation (2017)

Recommended in Energy, Environmental, Mass Tort, Product Liability, Class Action Defense


The Legal 500 US (2016, 2019, 2023, 2024)

Matters

Represented a leading paper manufacturer at trial regarding multi-billion dollar environmental dispute with local government.

Represented an individual plaintiff in breach of contract and fraud case as lead trial counsel.

Representing manufacturer as national counsel in claims alleging losses related to construction projects from alleged product failures.

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Matters

Represented a leading paper manufacturer at trial regarding multi-billion dollar environmental dispute with local government.

Represented an individual plaintiff in breach of contract and fraud case as lead trial counsel.

Representing manufacturer as national counsel in claims alleging losses related to construction projects from alleged product failures.

Represented a policyholder as plaintiff in a bad-faith suit as lead trial counsel.

Represented paper manufacturer as lead trial counsel in case regarding disputed change orders submitted during annual outage.

Represented leading automotive company as lead trial counsel in theft of trade secret and fraud case.

Lead trial counsel for major international oil and gas company as plaintiff in trademark infringement case.

Represented midstream company in arbitration in commercial dispute regarding interpretation and application of joint venture agreements

Represented refiner in arbitration regarding damage to new unit during startup.

Represented international consulting firm in arbitration proceedings as claimant.

Represented a leading aircraft manufacturer in multiple wrongful death suits arising out of aircraft accidents in trial and appellate courts.

Represented an international automobile manufacturer in state and federal court on questions of fraud.

Represented a prime NASA contractor both at trial and before appeals court in employment dispute.

Represented a nonprofit organization to protect First Amendment protections of students and veterans.

Matters

Represented a leading paper manufacturer at trial regarding multi-billion dollar environmental dispute with local government.

Represented an individual plaintiff in breach of contract and fraud case as lead trial counsel.

Representing manufacturer as national counsel in claims alleging losses related to construction projects from alleged product failures.

See more

Close

Matters

Represented a leading paper manufacturer at trial regarding multi-billion dollar environmental dispute with local government.

Represented an individual plaintiff in breach of contract and fraud case as lead trial counsel.

Representing manufacturer as national counsel in claims alleging losses related to construction projects from alleged product failures.

Represented a policyholder as plaintiff in a bad-faith suit as lead trial counsel.

Represented paper manufacturer as lead trial counsel in case regarding disputed change orders submitted during annual outage.

Represented leading automotive company as lead trial counsel in theft of trade secret and fraud case.

Lead trial counsel for major international oil and gas company as plaintiff in trademark infringement case.

Represented midstream company in arbitration in commercial dispute regarding interpretation and application of joint venture agreements

Represented refiner in arbitration regarding damage to new unit during startup.

Represented international consulting firm in arbitration proceedings as claimant.

Represented a leading aircraft manufacturer in multiple wrongful death suits arising out of aircraft accidents in trial and appellate courts.

Represented an international automobile manufacturer in state and federal court on questions of fraud.

Represented a prime NASA contractor both at trial and before appeals court in employment dispute.

Represented a nonprofit organization to protect First Amendment protections of students and veterans.

Credentials

J.D., Washington College of Law, cum laude

B.A., Texas A&M University, Magna Cum Laude

Texas

U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit

U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit

U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas

U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas

U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas

U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas

Judicial Clerk, Hon. Wanda McKee Fowler (ret.), Fourteenth Court of Appeals

American Bar Association

Houston Bar Association

Houston Bar Foundation

Texas Bar Foundation

Recognized in Commercial Litigation


The Best Lawyers in America, 2025

Benchmark Litigation Future Star


Benchmark Litigation (2024, 2025)

Recognized in Commercial Litigation


The Best Lawyers in America, 2024

Client Service All-Star


BTI Consulting, 2023

Recognized in Litigation - Environmental


The Best Lawyers in America, 2023

Recognized in Commercial Litigation


The Best Lawyers in America, 2022-2023

Texas Trailblazer


Texas Lawyer, 2020

Lawyers on the Rise


Texas Lawyer (2017)

Future Star


Benchmark Litigation (2015–2023)

Under 40 Hot List


Benchmark Litigation (2016, 2018, 2019)

Texas Rising Star


Texas Super Lawyers (2010, 2014–2019)

Top Litigator Under 40


Benchmark Litigation (2017)

Recommended in Energy, Environmental, Mass Tort, Product Liability, Class Action Defense


The Legal 500 US (2016, 2019, 2023, 2024)

Close

Recognition

Recognized in Commercial Litigation


The Best Lawyers in America, 2025

Benchmark Litigation Future Star


Benchmark Litigation (2024, 2025)

Recognized in Commercial Litigation


The Best Lawyers in America, 2024

Client Service All-Star


BTI Consulting, 2023

Recognized in Litigation - Environmental


The Best Lawyers in America, 2023

Recognized in Commercial Litigation


The Best Lawyers in America, 2022-2023

Texas Trailblazer


Texas Lawyer, 2020

Lawyers on the Rise


Texas Lawyer (2017)

Future Star


Benchmark Litigation (2015–2023)

Under 40 Hot List


Benchmark Litigation (2016, 2018, 2019)

Texas Rising Star


Texas Super Lawyers (2010, 2014–2019)

Top Litigator Under 40


Benchmark Litigation (2017)

Recommended in Energy, Environmental, Mass Tort, Product Liability, Class Action Defense


The Legal 500 US (2016, 2019, 2023, 2024)