Attorneys

R. GARY STEPHENS

Managing Partner, Founder

Email: rgs@stephenslegal.com

  • Board Certified in Personal Injury Trial Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization
  • Certified as a Diplomate by the National College of Trial Advocacy
  • Named, Texas Super Lawyer in Texas Monthly Magazine, 2003-2010

R. Gary Stephens has thirty-three years of trial experience and has handled cases in the areas of products liability, wrongful death, insurance bad faith, admiralty, commercial trucking accidents, vehicle roll-over accidents, railroad crossing accidents, medical malpractice, libel and slander, commercial litigation and a variety of personal injury and negligence claims.

Professional Background

  • B.A., University of Houston, 1972
  • J.D., South Texas College of Law, 1975
  • Admitted to the bar of Texas, 1975
  • Admitted to practice before the U.S. Supreme Court; U.S. Court of Appeals, Fifth Circuit; and the U.S. District Court for the Northern, Southern, and Eastern Districts of Texas

Memberships

  • State Bar of Texas
  • Texas State Bar College
  • The College of Master Advocates and Barristers, Senior Counsel
  • American Association for Justice (formerly the Association of Trial Lawyers of America, Sustaining Lawyer, President’s Club, (Leaders Forum 2003-2008), (National Finance Council, Justice List Committee 2007-2008), (National College of Trial Advocacy Civil and Criminal 1978)
  • American College of Barristers, Senior Counsel
  • Attorneys Information Exchange Group
  • Roscoe Pound Foundation, Supporting Fellow
  • Civil Justice Foundation
  • Public Justice Foundation 2007-Present
  • Texas Trial Lawyers Association, (Director 1985-present), (Past Chairman Fundraising Committee), (Past Chairman for Political Communications Committee), (Director Emeritus 1985-2007)
  • Texas Trial Lawyers Association, Past Chairman for Political Communications Committee
  • Fort Bend County Bar Association
  • Houston Trial Lawyers Association, (Past Director 1982-1992)
  • Houston Bar Foundation, Fellow
  • Houston Bar Association, (Member of the Administration of Justice Committee, 2008-2009)
  • Christian Legal Society (Houston Chapter)

Teaching & Publications

R. Gary Stephens has devoted both his time and his valuable experience to helping train the next generation of lawyers. He has served on the faculty of the Texas College of Trial Advocacy and the Federal Civil Practice Institute, was an Adjunct Professor of Tort and Products Liability Law from 1980-1982, and worked closely with the College of the State Bar of Texas from 1998-2002. He is the author of “Products Liability, A Survey of Judicial Adoption,” (American Bar Association, 1982) and “Locating the Punitive Damages Witness” (ATLA, 1995). If you are interested in learning more, contact us today.

Civic Involvement

In addition to his ongoing commitment to the legal community, he has also made significant contributions to the greater community. He served as chairman on the board of Hobby Community Bank (1987-1989), on the finance committee for First Baptist Houston (1993-1995, 1998-2000), and as Vice-Chairman for the Products Liability, General Liability and Consumer Law Committee (1979-1984). In addition, Mr. Stephens served his country for four years in the U.S. Air Force (1963-1967).

Personal Note

He has a wife and two grown children, as well as granddaughter, Olivia Kate, who is his pride and joy. In addition to spending time with his family during his free time, Mr. Stephens greatly enjoys fishing and outdoor activities.

SKYLER STEPHENS

Partner, Attorney

Email: skyler@stephenslegal.com

Telephone: 512-328-9999

Actively working in the litigation field since before 2000, Skyler Stephens has experience in Personal Injury, Products Liability, Admiralty, and Civil and Commercial Litigation and practices law throughout the State of Texas. She heads up the Austin location of Stephens & Stephens. She currently lives in Austin, Texas with her husband and their Jack Russell Terrier.

Professional Background

  • University of Texas at Austin, B.A. 2003
  • University of Texas at Austin, J.D., cum laude 2006
  • Editor-In-Chief of the Texas Review of Entertainment & Sports Law
  • State Bar of Texas, 2006
  • U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Texas, 2008
  • U.S. District Court, Western District of Texas, 2010

Memberships

  • State Bar of Texas, Litigation Section
  • American Association for Justice
  • Texas Trial Lawyers Association
  • Capital Area Trial Lawyers Association
  • Austin Young Lawyers Association
  • Houston Trial Lawyers Association
  • Civil Justice Foundation

Awards

  • Texas Super Lawyers award of Rising Star, 2009, 2010

MARK D. BANKSTON

Attorney

The newest addition to the team at Stephens & Stephens, Mark is a graduate of South Texas College of Law and a veteran of their national champion Appellate Advocacy and Moot Court program. He also received the American Jurisprudence award for his scholarly work in the field of contracts. Currently, Mark is also serving as Political Director of the Fort Bend County Democratic Party.

Mark resides in Houston with his wife Elizabeth, who is a student at the University of Houston Law Center and serves as clerk to a federal magistrate judge. In his spare time, Mark enjoys composing music, cooking on his grill, and spending weekends on Galveston Island with his wife and three dogs rescued from Houston area shelters.

Professional Background

  • South Texas College of Law, 2009
  • State Bar of Texas, 2009

Memberships

  • American Association for Justice
  • American Civil Liberties Union
  • Texas Trial Lawyers Association
  • State Bar of Texas, Litigation Section
  • Fort Bend Bar Association