STEVEN K. DEWOLF
Co-Founder and Managing Partner
Dallas, Texas
Phone: 214-954-9540
Email:
sdewolf@bd-law.com

CLIENT SERVICE PHILOSOPHY

“Clients work with me because I get things done. They appreciate my responsiveness and tenacity. They tell me that they get great value for the service and experience I deliver because my personal attention is greater and my hourly fees are lower than those charged by many major national firms for attorneys with comparable qualifications,” explains Steve DeWolf.

DeWolf started Bellinger & DeWolf LLP in 1996 with Glen Bellinger and Barbara Emerson. The three had worked together in Dallas at Arter & Hadden, LLP since 1990.
“I am fortunate in that I love representing individuals and companies that have been wronged. I believe in carefully evaluating cases and keeping clients informed of each matter's strength or weakness. Whether it is defending or prosecuting, it is important to evaluate a case up front and make an effort to resolve the matter informally. If that is not possible, it is my approach to aggressively prepare the case and when appropriate, try it.”

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

Steve DeWolf has almost 30 years of experience as a lawyer. He is licensed to practice in both Texas and California. He has tried cases in state and federal courts in Texas and has successfully argued appeals in both the state and federal judicial systems. His litigation experience spans real estate, personal injury, commercial disputes, employment and civil rights issues. He has participated in numerous mediations and arbitrations, ranging from small amounts in controversy to significant, complex matters.

DeWolf began practicing law in 1978 and worked for several major national law firms in Houston, Dallas and San Diego, including Vinson & Elkins, LLP, Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton, LLP, and Arter & Haden. In 1991, he started Ronquillo and DeWolf, P.C., in Dallas. In 1996, he, Glen Bellinger and Barbara Emerson started Bellinger & DeWolf to provide quality, responsive legal services to clients at an affordable price.

In 2005, DeWolf was selected as a Texas Super Lawyer.

CLIENT EXPERIENCE

Successfully represented clients in multiple director & officer matters involving over $1 billion in claims.

Obtained an arbitration award against a Fortune 500 company on a breach of contract matter. The client received $1,591,828.89 plus pre-judgment interest, arbitration costs and attorneys' fees and expenses of $225,236.75.

Defended a national home builder in a real estate dispute with a developer and obtained a settlement worth millions during trial.

Represented at trial, large public defendant in severe personal injury action with favorable result.

Obtained no damage judgment for large oil field construction company at District Court and Fifth Circuit level in wrongful death case.

Successfully defended national non-profit entity on sexual harassment charges.

Defended large national mall owner in complex tenant litigation with claims of over $3 million which settled for a nominal amount.

Obtained a judgment against County of Dallas for $1,747,813.33 in a wrongful termination matter. Attorneys' fees and costs were also awarded of $385,601.52 therefor. The award was upheld by the Dallas Court of Appeals and is currently before the Texas Supreme Court.

Successfully defended national homebuilder at trial in large DTPA matter

Represented two police chiefs against the City of Dallas for wrongful demotion and settled their claims on favorable terms.

PRACTICE AREAS

Business Disputes
Directors and Officers Litigation
Personal Injury and Wrongful Death Litigation
Employment Litigation
Real Estate and Construction Litigation
Professional Liability Matters
Civil Rights Disputes
Wind Energy Issues

COURT ADMISSIONS

United States Courts of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit in 1979, Eleventh Circuit in 1979, and Ninth Circuit in 1987

All United States District Courts for Texas since 1980 and California in 1988

EDUCATION

Attended United States Naval Academy
Bachelor of Arts degree, Phi Beta Kappa with highest honors, University of Texas, 1975
Juris Doctor, University of Texas, with honors, 1978
LL.M degree with honors, University of Cambridge, England, 1983

PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS

State Bar of Texas, Admitted in 1978
State Bar of California, Admitted in 1987 (inactive)
Texas Bar Foundation Fellow

SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS

Fox 4 (Dallas) legal commentator for The Good Day morning show for more than five years
Expert source for national and local media outlets, including Court TV, The Wall Street Journal, the Associated Press, The Dallas Morning News, The Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Texas Lawyer, National Public Radio and WBAP

Lectured on legal topics before a variety of organizations including the State Bar of Texas, Texas Independent Bankers Association, the University of Texas Graduate School of Business, and the Texas Police Chiefs’ Association

ARTICLES PUBLISHED

Editorials in The Dallas Morning News.

COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES

Baylor Tom Landry Fitness Center, Member, Advisory Board
Member, Commemorative Air Force

HOBBIES AND INTERESTS

Ran with the bulls in Spain in 2004, and flies his 1943 open cockpit biplane in air shows. DeWolf has been flying single engine aircraft since 1985 and participating in air shows since 1993. He is also developing several wind farms in West Texas for commercial production of renewable energy.

For more information see www.stevedewolf.com

Not certified by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization