David L. Clark

Partner

Biography

David L. Clark is a Partner in McCathern’s Houston office. His practice focuses on Business & Commercial Litigation, Business Disputes, Civil Litigation, Media & Entertainment, and Intellectual Property for a wide range of clients. David always wanted to go to law school and become a lawyer to support artists, musicians, entrepreneurs, and creative people across all industries.

With over twenty years of experience, David’s legal expertise covers the following areas: trademarks, copyrights, unfair competition disputes, trade secret protections, breach of contract, non-competition covenants, confidentiality and non-disclosure agreements, employment disputes, business fraud, fiduciary duty claims, tortious interference, ERISA claims, products liability claims, oil and gas disputes, and related matters. He is well-versed in all IP matters and is admitted to practice before the United States Patent and Trademark Office as a registered patent attorney. David also focuses a sizeable portion of his practice on protecting musical compositions and sound recordings for his clients, including licensing rights and related contractual agreements to assist musicians in promoting their works to the public. Over the years, he has represented professional athletes, including active and former players associated with MLB®, the NBA®, and the NFL®. He has also represented Grammy®-nominated musicians, plus other well-known artists and influencers.

In 1999, David graduated cum laude with a Bachelor of Science in Applied Mathematics from Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas. As an undergrad, David also studied physics and political science. He stayed on campus to attend law school and received his Juris Doctor from SMU’s Dedman School of Law in May 2002. While studying law, David was an articles editor for the SMU Law Review Journal. In 2003, he moved back home to Houston and was admitted to the LL.M. program at the University of Houston Law Center. He subsequently received his Master of Laws degree in Intellectual Property and Information Law in May 2004.

In his free time, David enjoys playing guitar, attending rock concerts, going to the movie theater, watching sports, and writing about pop culture issues in law. For example, David created The Dream Shake website in November 2006, to write about the Houston Rockets. That site is now part of the Vox media network. David also regularly writes articles for the McCathern website regarding trending issues in trademark and copyright law.

Bar and Court Admissions

  • U.S. District Court, Southern District of Texas
  • U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Texas
  • U.S. District Court, Northern District of Texas
  • U.S. Court of Federal Claims
  • United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO)

Professional Associations

  • State Bar of Texas
  • Houston Bar Association
  • Houston Intellectual Property Law Association
  • Fort Bend County Bar Association
  • Fort Bend Chamber of Commerce

Select Publications

Location

Houston

2000 West Loop S
Suite 1850
Houston, TX 77027

  • 832-533-8689
  • 832-213-4842

PRACTICE AREAS

EDUCATION

  • Southern Methodist University

Juris Doctor (2002)

  • University of Houston Law Center

LL.M., Intellectual Property and  

Information Law (2004)

  • Southern Methodist University

B.S., Applied Mathematics (1999)

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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