Michael R. Steinmark

Bar / Professional Activity

• Dallas Association of Young Lawyers
• State Bar of Missouri
• State Bar of Texas
• Texas Bar College, Member, 2020
• Dallas Bar Association
• American Bar Association

Verdicts / Settlements (Case Results)

• Successfully negotiated resolution of six-figure claims for payments owed to contractor by various apartment properties resulting in full or nearly full payment of claims, including attorney's fees, 2025
• Successfully negotiated resolution of a low 7-figure construction dispute via a significant six-figure settlement, 2025
• Successfully negotiated settlements on multiple unrelated highly-compensated plaintiffs' claims for disability discrimination, sexual harassment/gender discrimination, whistleblower retaliation, ethnic or national origin discrimination, FLSA violations, and other employment claims against various large employers, including a multi-trillion dollar Mag 7 tech company, a BigLaw law firm, a marketing firm, industrial firms, and others, 2025
• Successfully negotiated resolution of multiple plaintiffs' claims against their employer for total settlement in excess of $250,000, 2025
• Successfully negotiated resolution of six-figure payment dispute between general contractor and subcontractor related to high rise development project, 2025
• Successfully negotiated resolution of multiple motor vehicle collision claims, including in Texas and Georgia, 2025
• Successfully negotiated mid-five-figure settlement of disability discrimination claim , 2025
• Successfully negotiated manufacturer's repurchase of $130K vehicle under Texas lemon law with attorney's fees paid, 2025
• Successfully negotiated resolution of payment dispute for home health agency, 2025
• Successfully negotiated five-figure settlement of residential seller's disclosure fraud claims related to allegedly deficient remodeling work, 2024
• Successfully negotiated settlement of personal injury claims from a truck-to-sports car collision, recovering more than 10 times the client's paid or incurred past medical expenses, 2024
• Successfully negotiated settlement of personal injury claims arising from a motor vehicle collision, recovering more than 10 times the client's paid or incurred past medical expenses, 2024
• Successfully negotiated settlement with international shipping company regarding an expensive item damaged in transit, 2024
• Successfully negotiated significant six-figure settlement for former employee's damages arising from claims for wrongful termination due to age and national origin discrimination, 2024
• Successfully negotiated settlements of multiple Charges of Discrimination filed with the EEOC or state administrative agencies in multiple states on behalf of employer client, 2024
• Successfully negotiated five-figure settlement for former employee in constructive discharge dispute involving alleged age, gender, and disability discrimination, harassment, and retaliation, 2024
• Successfully negotiated settlement secured by a five-figure agreed judgment in favor of a former restaurant employee in a Fair Labor Standards Act case, 2024
• Successfully negotiated five-figure settlement in dispute involving alleged investor fraud in now-defunct business, 2024
• Successfully negotiated five-figure settlement for entrepreneur client in dispute involving representations and warranties under an Equity Purchase Agreement as well as defamation counterclaims, 2024
• Successfully negotiated early termination of residential lease with landlord's payment of my client's attorney's fees in dispute involving alleged breach of lease by landlord, 2024
• Successfully negotiated settlement in a six-figure unpaid attorney's fees collection case on behalf of another highly-respected Dallas-based law firm., 2022
• Obtained full policy limits settlement for personal injuries sustained by two clients in a motor vehicle collision in which their vehicle was t-boned by another vehicle, 2024
• Successfully negotiated five-figure personal injury settlement in a motor vehicle collision case, 2023
• Successfully negotiated six-figure settlement in a private aviation dispute, 2023
• Successfully negotiated six-figure settlement for property owner client in dispute involving title insurance issuance and claims handling disputes under the Texas DTPA and Texas Insurance Code as well as negligent surveying claims, 2023
• Successfully negotiated settlement in unpaid attorneys' fees dispute for prestigious Dallas law firm, 2023
• Successfully negotiated construction dispute for general contractor client, 2023
• Successfully negotiated settlement of pool contractor dispute for homeowner clients, 2023
• Successfully negotiated multiple five- and six-figure settlements (totaling over $1 million in the aggregate) for employees in employment disputes (including sexual harassment, gender discrimination, age discrimination, Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) underpayment of wages and overtime, breach of employment contract, and similar claims), 2023
• Successfully negotiated five-, six-, and seven-figure settlements in multiple "business divorce" and other small business ownership / indemnity disputes, 2023
• Successfully negotiated settlement in multiple first-party business interruption insurance cases related to the Covid-19 pandemic., 2022
• Successfully negotiated settlement for landowner client in billboard lease dispute., 2022
• Successfully negotiated settlement in partner dispute involving a failed franchise business., 2022
• Successfully negotiated discounted payoff settlement for client in loan dispute. , 2022
• Successfully negotiated settlement in real estate contract dispute regarding performance of various post-closing obligations. , 2022
• Successfully obtained judgment for pro bono client in SAPCR (suit affecting parent child relationship) matter, including court award to client of full custody of children with no visitation by abusive other parent, child support, and other relief., 2022
• Successfully negotiated pre-litigation settlement of homebuyer's claims against my home remodeler client regarding alleged construction defects and failures to disclose the same., 2022
• Successfully negotiated pre-litigation settlement on behalf of client asserting wrongful termination and other employment claims based upon alleged race or national origin discrimination, harassment, and retaliation, including resolving employer's claims for alleged breach of a noncompete agreement by my client. , 2022
• Successfully negotiated pre-litigation settlement on behalf of client asserting wrongful termination and other employment claims based upon alleged disability discrimination, harassment, and retaliation. , 2022
• Successfully negotiated mediated settlement in six-figure dispute involving claims and counterclaims between client, company from which client was ejected as an owner, and other owners., 2022
• Successfully negotiated pre-litigation settlement of partner dispute on behalf of client ejected from company., 2022
• Successfully negotiated resolution in a data breach action, including recovering client's stolen property, in pre-litigation matter on behalf of another highly-respected Dallas-based law firm., 2022
• Successfully negotiated settlement in first party business interruption insurance case, 2021
• Successfully negotiated settlement in seven-figure probate case resulting in substantial recovery to clients, 2021
• Successfully negotiated settlement of commission dispute involving sale of dental practice, 2021
• Successfully negotiated settlement on behalf of employer in alleged whistleblower retaliation case, 2020
• Successfully negotiated settlement of arbitration brought by lender for default under commercial loan, 2020
• Successfully negotiated settlement involving substantial reduction of homeowners' association dues claim against lender who took title to property upon foreclosure in lien priority dispute, 2020
• Successfully negotiated settlement in copyright case involving alleged licensing of public domain images, 2020
• Successfully negotiated settlement for software systems integration service provider in commercial contract dispute, 2020
• Successfully negotiated settlement for employer in alleged race discrimination employment case, 2020
• Successfully negotiated pre-suit settlement for employment plaintiff in pregnancy and gender discrimination case., 2020
• Obtained six-figure policy-limits settlement before discovery commenced in suit for restaurant owner against accountant for professional malpractice involving allegations of numerous professional errors resulting in significant six-figure losses to the plaintiff, 2019
• Successfully obtained ruling from the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit affirming a summary judgment i had obtained in the trial court in a residential mortgage servicing litigation turning on res judicata and collateral estoppel., 2020
• Obtained dispositive relief in multiple cases and negotiated numerous settlements for clients purchasing properties at foreclosure sales, 2019
• Obtained summary judgment for a national residential mortgage loan servicer in a case challenging the authority of the servicer to foreclose a residential mortgage loan, 2011
• Negotiated numerous settlements for mortgage servicing clients in loan-level litigation, 2019
• Obtained summary judgment for national residential mortgage servicer on all claims in a suit alleging the statute of limitations had run on the lender's right to foreclose and asserting various claims for affirmative relief, 2010
• Obtained summary judgment for a national bank serving as the trustee of a residential mortgage-backed security in a case where the plaintiffs (borrowers) challenged the authority of the trustee to foreclose a residential mortgage loan and also asserted claims for affirmative relief, including breach of contract, fraud, violation of the Texas Deceptive Trade Practices Act, and violation of the federal Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, 2012
• Obtained defense verdict of no negligence and no proximate causation on behalf of heavy equipment company after three-week jury trial in a wrongful death case in which the plaintiffs asked the jury to award in excess of $15,000,000 (motion for new trial subsequently granted; defense verdict returned upon re-trial as well), 2013
• Obtained summary judgment in a breach of warranty and misrepresentation case involving allegations of damages in excess of $1,000,000 for catastrphic injuries in a trucking accident case, 2014
• Assisted a national outdoor advertising company in reaching settlements in administrative appeals of regulatory enforcement actions involving multiple billboard permits, 2009
• Negotiated favorable settlement for real estate investor client in multiple lawsuits arising from "business divorce" scenario, including as part of such settlement the negotiation and documenting of a six-figure real estate loan sale agreement, 2015
• Schriver v. Texas Department of Transportation, 293 S.W.3d 846 (Tex. App.—Fort Worth 2009, no pet.), 2009
• Secured a take-nothing judgment for a residential mortgage servicing client following a bench trial in an adversary proceeding challenging a foreclosure as a preference payment in Judith Nations Aaron v. Embrace Home Loans, Case No. 4:16-ap-07082 (Bankr. W.D. Ark. Sept. 28, 2017), 2017
• Assisted former employees in reaching a mediated settlement agreement with their prior employer in a convenant not to compete lawsuit, with an agreement secured less than a week after the suit was filed, 2011
• Obtained full compliance with cease and desist demand related to trademarks owned by rodeo performance team upon filing trademark infringement lawsuit against competitor, with suit voluntarily dismissed without prejudice in light of defendants' full compliance with our demands, 2011
• Santibanez v. Saxon Mortgage Inc., No. 11-10-00227-CV, 2012 Tex. App. LEXIS 7167 (Tex. App.--Eastland Aug. 23, 2012), 2012
• Assisted a national outdoor advertising company in reaching a settlement in an administrative appeal of a regulatory enforcement action involving multiple billboard permits, 2007
• Obtained defense verdict of no negligence, no proximate causation, and no gross negligence in favor of heavy equipment company after two-and-a-half-week re-trial to a jury in a wrongful death industrial accident case in which the plaintiffs asked the jury to award roughly $21.5 million to $32.5 million in compensatory damaes, 2015
• Assisted multiple national mortgage servicers in reaching settlements through both mediation and direct negotiation, and obtained numerous summary judgments in state court and Rule 12 dismissals in federal court, in foreclosure-related litigation, including numerous settlements involving loan modification agreements, "cash for keys" agreements, loan reinstatement, and various other types of settlements (2005 to present)
• Obtained summary judgment for residential mortgage servicing client in federal court in foreclosure limitations case, 2018
• Assisted a national transportation company in reaching a mediated settlement of an employment discrimination and retaliation lawsuit, 2011
• Negotiated settlements on behalf of defendants in numerous personal injury cases, including wrongful death, catastrophic injury, and multiple injury actions (2010 to present)
• Obtained summary judgment for a national transportation services company in a racial discrimination employment suit under the Texas Labor Code, 2012
• Assisted a national financial institution in reaching a mediated settlement of a multi-party suit involving a Ponzi scheme with more than $2.9 million in alleged damages, 2009
• Obtained favorable mediated settlement for national school bus services company in breach of contract suit in which the company sought more than $1,300,000 in total recovery, 2014
• Assisted three regional staffing firms in reaching a mediated settlement of claims including breach of contract, fraud, and violation of the Texas Deceptive Trade Practices Act against a professional employer organization, recovering all of the clients' actual damages and approximately two-thirds of their attorneys' fees, 2007
• Represented the Plaintiffs in the highly-publicized case Highsmith et al. v. Getty Images (US), Inc. et al., Case No. 16-cv-5924 (S.D.N.Y. 2016), in which all parties achieved a mutually acceptable resolution obviating the need for further litigation, 2016

Representative Clients

• Highly-compensated employees of various businesses, 2024
• Property owners in title disputes and fire/other casualty loss disputes, including with their title insurers and property insurers, 2023
• Entrepreneurs and other private business owners in "business divorce" and other partner/owner disputes, 2023
• Employees who suffered sexual harassment, gender discrimination, age discrimination, and other unlawful employment practices, 2023
• Shoebacca,com (online retailer), 2020
• Businesses suing their insurance carriers for business interruption coverage during the COVID-19 pandemic and related government shutdown orders, 2020
• Homeowners suing their insurance providers on storm damage claims, 2020
• Nafta Traders, 2020
• Headlands Asset Management, 2019
• Display Source Alliance, 2020
• Halo Group Realty, LLC, 2020
• Wedgewood, Inc., and associated entities, 2019
• Ocwen Loan Servicing, LLC, 2019
• Lamar Outdoor Advertising, 2005

Transactions

• Provided real estate transactional advice and counsel to client in land purchase for development of a car wash., 2022
• Provided employment transaction advice to small business clients regarding non-compete and termination issues, 2023
• Advised tenant client on commercial lease transaction, 2023
• Advised client on eight-figure real estate acquisition, 2023
• Provide employment transactional advice to various individual clients with respect to non-compete agreements, benefits vesting, and related issues, 2022
• Provided real estate transactional advice and counsel to client (seller) in sale of business that also involved sale of real estate., 2022
• Established homeowners' association for planned unit development with multiple common area features, including preparing covenants, conditions, and restrictions, articles of incorporation, and bylaws, 2006
• Represented foreign investor group in successfully closing CMBS financing with Morgan Stanley for acquisition of a medical office property, 2018
• Assisted national homebuilder with annexing additional phases into multi-phase planned unit developments, 2007
• File and prosecute applications for federal trademark registration, including successfully obtaining registration
• Established condominum regimes for local developer's new and condominium conversion properties, including condominium declaration, articles of incorporation, bylaws, condominium information statement, and related documents, 2006
• Drafted and successfully negotiated documentation for the acquisition of a residential real estate brokerage business, and drafted and successfully negotiated a software licensing agreement related to the acquisition of the brokerage, 2012

Special Licenses / Certifications

• U.S. Court of Appeals, 5th Circuit
• Admitted to practice in the state of Texas
• Admitted to Practice in the Supreme Court of the United States
• Admitted to Practice in the United States Court of Appeals, Fifth Circuit
• Admitted to practice in the U.S. District Courts for the District of Colorado, 2018
• Admitted to Practice in the United States District Courts, Northern, Eastern, Southern, and Western Districts of Texas
• Admitted to Practice in Missouri (state courts), 2016

Pro bono / Community Service

• Successfully negotiated unpaid early termination of residential lease for pro bono client following cancer diagnosis and rapid health changes rendering the apartment inaccessible, 2024
• Successfully obtained judgment for pro bono client in SAPCR (suit affecting parent child relationship) matter, including court award to client of full custody of children with no visitation by abusive other parent, child support, and other relief., 2022
• Advised small community church in real estate purchase / landlord-tenant dispute, 2023
• Represented minority- and woman-owned small business in dispute against major Hollywood studio, 2023
• Successfully negotiated resolution for pro bono client in lease dispute., 2022
• Successfully obtained payment upon demand for pro bono client in contract dispute involving nonpayment for goods sold by client, 2022
• Advisory Board Member - Boys and Girls Club of Greater Dallas (Turner Courts and Frazier Courts Clubs)
• Volunteer - Dallas Bar Association Home Project (Habitat for Humanity)
• Volunteer Teacher - Dallas Bar Association Law in the Schools Program
• Regularly volunteer as judge for moot court, mock trial, closing argument, negotiation, and other law student competitions (including local and regional competitions)
• South Dallas Legal Clinic Volunteer - Dallas Volunteer Attorney Program
• Volunteer - Genesis Women's Shelter, HeROs Member

Honors

• 5-star rating, 5-star rating, https://www.avvo.com/attorneys/75219-tx-michael-steinmark-95574.html, 2024
• Texas Super Lawyers / Rising Stars, Thomson Reuters, 2010, 2012 – 2019
• Avvo (www.avvo.com) is an attorney review website which rates attorneys throughout the United States based upon experience, industry recognition, and professional conduct, Rated 9.8/10, Avvo, 2021
• 5-star rating, Avvo (https://www.avvo.com/attorneys/75219-tx-michael-steinmark-95574.html), 2023
• https://bestlawfirms.usnews.com/profile/steckler-wayne-cochran-cherry-pllc/rankings/81432, Tier 1 Personal Injury Plaintiffs Firm, U.S. News, 2021
• Avvo (www.avvo.com) is an attorney review website which rates attorneys throughout the United States based upon experience, industry recognition, and professional conduct, Rated 9.9/10, Avvo, 2017
• Avvo (www.avvo.com) is an attorney review website which rates attorneys throughout the United States based upon experience, industry recognition, and professional conduct, Rated 10/10, Avvo, 2018
• Intern for the Honorable Barbara M.G. Lynn, Northern District of Texas, 2004

Educational Background

• Vanderbilt University, B.A. (English, Creative Writing concentration), cum laude, minor in Communication Studies, National Merit Scholar, 2000

Scholarly Lectures / Writings

• Selected as the 2004 Best Case Note by the SMU International Law Review Association, this article examines a suit filed in 2003 by Mexico against the United States in the International Court of Justice regarding denial of consular rights under article 36 of the 1963 Vienna Convention on Consular Relations. The article examines the case from the Mexican point of view, focusing on the law and policy underlying Mexico's position in the case and the significance of the case within the context of Mexican-American extradition relations, Author, The Case Concerning Avena and Other Mexican Nationals (Mexico v. United States): A Mexican Perspective on the Fight for Consular Rights, 10 Law & Business Review of the Americas 417, 2004
• Presentation regarding new Texas procedural rules adopted in Texas House Bill No. 274 related to motion to dismiss, interlocutory appeals, expedited resolution of cases under $100,000, and responsible third party practice. Also addressed Rule 167 of the Texas Rules of Civil Procedure (offer of settlement; award of litigation costs), including overview, practice tips, and changes under HB 274. Further, provided overview and practice tips regarding Rule 263 of the Texas Rules of Civil Procedure (agreed case), allowing for submission of case for trial on agreed statement of facts. Finally, provided updates on recent changes to condemnation procedures under Texas Senate Bill No. 18, Speaker, New and Less Commonly Used Rules of Civil Procedure, Dallas Area Paralegal Association, Litigation Section, 2011
• Guest appearance on nationally syndicated radio show Real Estate Talk with Willie Lambright discussing troubled residential mortgage loans, including tips for borrowers from the perspective of a lender-side attorney, Real Estate Talk with Willie Lambright, 2012
• This is a case law update on the Texas Supreme Court’s decision in Wood v. HSBC Bank USA, N.A., 505 S.W.3d 542 (Tex. 2016), which held that there is no statute of limitations for alleged violations of the home equity lien validity requirements set forth in Texas Constitution Article 16, Section 50(a)(6), Co-Author, Fifth Circuit Holds No Limitations on Texas Home Equity Constitutional Claims, 2017

Firm News (Newsletters)

• This article addresses the misclassification of employees as independent contractors, the risks involved with doing so, and strategies for avoiding those risks in order to take advantage of the cost savings and liability protections afforded by hiring independent contractors, Mitigating the Risks of Misclassifying Employees as Independent Contractors (co-authored with Michael S. Byrd, 2012)
• This article examines the standards for Texas courts to assert personal jurisdiction over a party based solely on the party maintaining a website that may be accessed by Texas residents, The Internet and Personal Jurisdiction: When Can a Non-resident be Sued in Texas Courts Based on Its Website? (2010)
• This article examines approaches for tenants to consider in establishing and maintaining protection of their leasehold rights when the full lease agreement is not recorded in the real property records of the county in which the property is located, Tenants' Rights under Unrecorded Leases (co-authored with J. Allen Smith, 2010)
• This article examines mortgage loan modification programs in connection with the 2008-2009 federal financial industry bailout, New Modification Program Could Be Beacon of Hope in the Seemingly Hopeless World of Trouble Mortgages (co-authored with J. Garth Fennegan of SettlePou, 2009)
• This article examines issues related to the pre-condemnation offer process required by the Texas Property Code and related authorities, Eminent Domain Negotiations: Can the Government Force One Property Owner to Negotiate with Another (co-authored with J. Allen Smith of SettlePou, 2006)
• This article examines the risk of corporate officers and directors being held personally liable for purported corporate acts taken during periods of forfeited entity status under the Texas Tax Code, and also examines other related corporate veil piercing issues, Personal Liability Pitfalls in Failing to Maintain Corporate Filings, Books and Records (2011)
• This article examines new protections for Texas landowners in condemnation effective September 1, 2011, under Texas Senate Bill 18, including changes to the offer process before formal condemnation proceedings are initiated, limited rights to recover attorneys' fees in Texas condemnation cases, new rules for compensability of material impairments to property access, and expanded property repurchase rights, Senate Bill 18: Important Changes for Texas Landowners in Condemnation (co-authored with J. Allen Smith of SettlePou, 2011)
• This article discusses the landmark 2014 Texas Supreme Court decision in Sims v. Carrington Mortgage Services, L.L.C., which held that the requirements in the Texas Constitution for home equity loans do not apply to loan modifications, Landmark Texas Supreme Court Decision Finds Home Equity Loan Modifications Are Not Subject to Texas (2014)
• This article examines three Texas Court of Appeals decisions issued in 2007 and 2008 regarding the compensation of billboard property interests in eminent domain takings cases, You Take It, You Buy It: Texas Courts Require Condemning Authorities to Compensate Billboard Property Owners for their Interests (co-authored with J. Allen Smith of SettlePou, 2008)
• This article provides an overview of new and less commonly used rules and procedures provided under the Texas Rules of Civil Procedure and Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code, focusing on rules and procedures applicable to interlocutory appeals, resolution of cases through settlement and expedited trial procedures, pre-suit depositions, and related procedural issues, Rules of Civil Procedure: Potential Game-Changers (co-authored with Daniel P. Tobin of SettlePou, 2011)

• Dentistry
• Employees (all industries)
• Employers (small to mid-size businesses)
• Entrepreneurs
• Private Business
• Real Estate