23 McCATHERN, SHOKOUHI, EVANS ATTORNEYS RECOGNIZED BY TEXAS SUPER LAWYERS FOR 2025

Super Lawyers 2025

L to R: Joey Sampson, Scott J. Becker, Daniel K. Hagood, Megan R. Rachel, Laura B. Roach, Rodney Drinnon, Justin Bryan, Marie Briner, Stephanie M. Almeter, Jesse Showalter, Arnold Shokouhi, Levi G. McCathern, II, Carl L. Evans, Jr., Jennifer L. Falk, Alexandra Hunt, Eric Utermohlen, Ronald Wright, Shane Eghbal, Kylie Peebles, Michael Ricchi, Ty Sheaks, Kristin M. Hecker, Danielle Chester

McCathern, Shokouhi, Evans is proud to announce that 14 of the firm’s Partners have been recognized as Super Lawyers and nine Partners and Attorneys have been honored as Rising Stars for 2025. The attorneys recognized represent McCathern, Shokouhi, Evans’ three Dallas offices, Frisco, and Houston offices, underscoring the firm’s statewide strength across multiple practice areas.

Each year, Super Lawyers selects attorneys for its state-by-state lists through a patented multiphase process that combines peer nominations, peer evaluations, and independent research. The objective of the selection process is “to create a credible, comprehensive, and diverse listing of outstanding attorneys that can be used as a resource for attorneys and consumers searching for legal counsel.” Only 5% of attorneys are selected to the Super Lawyers list and just 2.5% are named to the Rising Stars list.

McCathern, Shokouhi, Evans 2025 Texas Super Lawyers

 

Levi McCathern has now been named to the Texas Super Lawyers list for 18 consecutive years and 20 years overall. Daniel K. Hagood, who joined McCathern, Shokouhi, Evans in August, appears on the list for the 23rd consecutive year. Laura Roach was named for the third consecutive year to the Dallas/Fort Worth Top 100 Super Lawyers and Texas Top 50 Women Super Lawyers lists, and this year she also achieved the remarkable honor of being named to the Texas Top 100 Super Lawyers list. Justin Bryan was selected to the Super Lawyers list for the first time after previously being recognized on the Texas Rising Stars list five times. Houston Co-Managing Partners Rodney Drinnon and Ronald Wright were each recognized for the sixth consecutive year.

McCathern, Shokouhi, Evans 2025 Rising Stars

 

The Rising Stars list recognizes top attorneys in Texas who are either 40 years old or younger or who have been practicing law for 10 years or less.

“We are incredibly proud of our colleagues who have been recognized by Super Lawyers and Rising Stars this year,” said Arnold Shokouhi, Managing Partner. “These honors reflect not only their exceptional legal talent and commitment to clients, but also the standard of excellence we strive to uphold across our firm every day.”

For more information about the Super Lawyers selection process, visit www.superlawyers.com.

LATEST NEWS

McCathern, Shokouhi, Evans Announces Stephanie M. Almeter as Managing Partner of Dallas Headquarters

December 5, 2025

McCathern, Shokouhi, Evans is proud to announce the promotion of Stephanie M. Almeter to Managing Partner of the firm’s Dallas headquarters, marking a significant milestone in the firm’s continued growth and commitment to operational excellence. In her new role, Almeter will oversee the day-to-day operations of the Dallas office, support the continued expansion of its legal teams, and promote a unified, high-performing culture across the firm’s flagship location. She will also collaborate closely with the Managing Partners in Frisco, Houston, and Los Angeles to ensure firmwide consistency, strategic alignment, and seamless operational delivery across all markets. Almeter, who joined McCathern in 2011, is a seasoned trial attorney and leader whose practice spans business and commercial litigation, labor and employment, and more. She is widely recognized for her exceptional advocacy, creative problem-solving approach, and dedication to client service. As Managing Partner, she brings more than a decade of experience and a deep understanding of the firm’s mission of Improving People’s Lives to this pivotal leadership position. “Stephanie is an incredible leader whose professionalism, legal skill, and commitment to our team made her the clear choice for Managing Partner of our Dallas office,” said Arnold Shokouhi, Equity Partner and CEO of the firm. “Her ability to balance exceptional client results with strong interpersonal leadership will help guide the next phase of growth in our largest market. I have full confidence in her vision and in the culture she will continue to build.” As part of Almeter’s promotion, Shokouhi will transition into the role of Chief Executive Officer, where he will continue overseeing the firm’s strategic direction and operational development. McCathern, Shokouhi, Evans has experienced significant expansion since Shokouhi was named Managing Partner in 2013, growing its workforce by over 415% and increasing revenue by approximately 275%, alongside multiple successful mergers and a strengthened statewide and national presence. “I am deeply honored to step into the role of Managing Partner for our Dallas headquarters,” said Stephanie Almeter. “McCathern, Shokouhi, Evans is a firm built on integrity, collaboration, and the belief that exceptional legal work can improve people’s lives. I look forward to supporting our incredible team, fostering continued growth, and ensuring that our Dallas office remains a model of excellence within the firm and across the legal community.” The firm extends its congratulations to Almeter as she assumes this important leadership position, and to Shokouhi as he steps into his expanded role as CEO.

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McCATHERN, SHOKOUHI, EVANS SECURES $13 MILLION CIVIL RIGHTS VERDICT AGAINST CITY OF HOUSTON IN DEATH OF CHARLES PAYNE, SR.

November 25, 2025

HOUSTON, TEXAS — November 25, 2025 — A federal jury in the Southern District of Texas has delivered a sweeping $13 million verdict in favor of the family of Charles Payne Sr., finding the City of Houston liable for Payne’s death after a Houston Police Department officer—driving at high speed and not responding to an emergency—struck and killed him. The jury found that the City’s unconstitutional policies, customs, and failures in training and supervision were the direct cause of the fatal incident. The jury also determined that the officer’s conduct violated Payne’s Fourteenth Amendment right to life. Evidence presented at trial revealed that HPD routinely permitted officers to drive more than 20 mph over posted speed limits even when not responding to emergencies, a practice the City knew or should have known placed the public at serious risk. The jury concluded the City acted with deliberate indifference by allowing this dangerous pattern to persist. The jury awarded more than $7.3 million to Payne’s widow, Harriet Payne, for pecuniary loss, loss of companionship, and past and future mental anguish, with additional awards to each of Payne’s seven children for their emotional and familial losses — bringing the total recovery to $13 million. The Payne family was represented by a joint legal team led by McCathern, Shokouhi, Evans Partner Carl L. Evans, Jr., together with the Law Office of Ben Crump and its Co-Director of Litigation, Paul Grinke, and supported by McCathern attorneys Sarah E. Courtney and Asher K. Miller. Together, the team demonstrated that the City of Houston failed to implement and enforce basic safety standards regarding officer driving practices—policies that, if followed, would have prevented this tragedy. “This verdict is not just about what happened to Charles Payne—it’s about preventing it from ever happening again,” said Carl L. Evans, Jr., Partner at McCathern, Shokouhi, Evans. “The jury sent a clear message that no city is above accountability when its policies put the lives of the people it serves in danger. We are honored to stand with the Payne family and grateful that the jury recognized the truth of what happened and the depth of this family’s loss.” Charles Payne was a husband, father, and beloved member of his community. His life was cut short by a preventable act of recklessness—one that the jury found was enabled by systemic policy failures within the Houston Police Department. The verdict marks a significant step toward justice for the Payne family and reinforces the critical importance of safe, constitutional policing practices nationwide. Click here to watch the full press conference following the verdict on 11/24/25. 

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