Category: Press Releases

McCATHERN, SHOKOUHI, EVANS LAW FIRM REPRESENTS 73 INDIVIDUALS AGAINST COINBASE, INC.

Coinbase

Evan Selik of McCathern, Shokouhi, Evans Law Firm is representing 73 individuals in a class action that was compelled to arbitration. The Claimants allege that Coinbase is able to manipulate and trade on their consumer’s account without the consumer’s knowledge or consent. They also allege that Coinbase represents that their platform is safe for maintaining […]

McCATHERN, SHOKOUHI, EVANS LAW FIRM WINS APPEAL FOR FAMILY OF HOUSTON MAN KILLED BY HPD OFFICER IN HIGH-SPEED VEHICLE ACCIDENT IN DECEMBER 2021

Houston Police

The United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit issued an opinion on April 3, 2025, allowing the family of Charles Payne Sr. to proceed with a civil lawsuit against the City of Houston after Payne was killed by a speeding Houston Police Department Officer, Christopher Cabrera, on December 26, 2021. The Court of Appeals rejected the City’s attempt to dismiss the case on […]

ATTORNEYS LEVI G. McCATHERN, II & SHANE EGHBAL OF MCCATHERN LAW FIRM SEEK JUSTICE FOR THEIR CLIENT, VICTIM OF AGGRAVATED ASSAULT WITH A DEADLY WEAPON BY TITANS’ STAR CORNERBACK, L’JARIUS SNEED

Sneed Lawsuit

Levi G. McCathern, II and Shane Eghbal of McCathern Law Firm have been retained as legal counsel for Christian Nshimiyimana in a civil lawsuit filed on February 20, 2025, in Dallas County, County Court at Law No. 4. The lawsuit arises from the unprovoked aggravated assault of Christian Nshimiyimana with a deadly weapon by Tennessee […]

Reggie Bush Holds Press Conference on Defamation Suit Filed Against NCAA

Football legend Reggie Bush, with his counsel Levi G. McCathern and Ben Crump, will speak to assembled media on Wednesday, August 23 at 11:00 AM PT at the President’s Suite in the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum where he will discuss a defamation lawsuit against the NCAA. Former collegiate super-star, NFL All-Pro football player and current […]

Attorney Haseeb Dada Joins McCathern Houston Office

McCathern is excited to announce that newly barred attorney Haseeb Dada has joined its Houston, Texas office. Since graduating from the University of Houston Law Center with his J.D. in 2022, Haseeb has continued developing his experience across several practice areas, including Business & Commercial Litigation, Litigation and Dispute Resolution, and Civil Litigation. Haseeb grew […]

Arnold Shokouhi Elected a Fellow of the Texas Bar Foundation

McCathern is proud to announce that Managing Partner Arnold Shokouhi was recently elected to membership in the Fellows of the Texas Bar Foundation. The distinction is a recognition of Arnold’s professional achievements, commitment to the improvement of the justice system throughout Texas, and his contributions to the legal profession. Each year only one-third of one […]

Paul Grinke Selected by National Trial Lawyers to Civil Plaintiff Trial Lawyers List

McCathern is excited to announce that Frisco Managing Partner Paul Grinke has been selected by The National Trial Lawyers to their Top 100 Trial Lawyers in Texas list for Civil Plaintiff attorneys. Paul has over two decades of courtroom experience at the national level, litigating and trying catastrophic events and complex commercial claims as well […]

McCathern Updates Brand to Recognize Founding Partners

McCathern, Shokouhi, Evans, Grinke, PLLC

In 2012 partners Levi McCathern, Carl Evans, Paul Grinke, and Arnold Shokouhi started a new partnership and named it McCathern. The group wanted to continue the legacy of legal excellence that Levi started in 1998 when he founded the original McCathern law firm and build upon that, with one new mantra: “Improving People’s Lives”. Since […]

LATEST NEWS

PROSPER ISD PARENTS QUESTION DISTRICT RESPONSE TO BUS DRIVER ACCUSED OF SEXUALLY ASSAULTING STUDENTS

December 15, 2025

Author: Rebecca Lopez with WFAA Watch the interview here. PROSPER, Texas — Parents of two young girls who say they were repeatedly sexually assaulted by a Prosper ISD school bus driver are speaking out about what they describe as serious failures by the district — including delayed notification to families and promised safety changes they say were never fully implemented. The parents asked that they not be identified to protect their children, who were just elementary school age at the time of the abuse. In a lawsuit filed in 2023, the girls — identified only as Jane Doe 1 and Jane Doe 2 — allege former bus driver Frank Paniagua assaulted them repeatedly during the 2021–2022 school year. According to the lawsuit, Paniagua would wait until other students exited the bus, then assault the girls, sometimes holding one child back so he could take her to the rear of the bus. Attorneys say the abuse occurred over several months and was captured on bus surveillance video. How the abuse was discovered The girls’ mother said the abuse came to light after their grandmother noticed troubling comments about gift cards offered by the bus driver. When the mother later questioned the girls again, they disclosed what had been happening. Prosper ISD police reviewed surveillance video from the bus in May 2022. Paniagua was arrested two days later and charged with aggravated sexual assault of a child, continuous sexual abuse of a child under 14, and indecency with a child. Paniagua later died after jumping from the second floor of the Collin County Jail while awaiting trial. Concerns about delayed notifications Attorneys for the family say more than 100 days passed after Paniagua’s arrest before Prosper ISD publicly acknowledged the allegations — a delay parents say may have prevented other potential victims from being identified. At a packed school board meeting, Prosper ISD parent Morgan Grahovec, a child psychologist whose daughter attended the same school as the victims, told trustees that delays in notifying parents can have serious consequences. “Children who are victims of abuse need to be identified and interviewed as soon as possible because memory fades over time,” Grahovec said. “The longer you wait, it’s harder to get a child to report abuse accurately.” Parents at those meetings called for Superintendent Holly Ferguson’s resignation, arguing district leaders should have acted sooner and communicated more transparently. Ferguson did not step down, instead promising changes to safety protocols. District response and former statement In an earlier written statement to WFAA, Prosper ISD said it took appropriate action once allegations surfaced: “We are horrified that an employee violated the trust of our families and students, as Prosper ISD’s foremost priority is to protect our students’ safety and well-being at all times. We strongly condemn the actions of any adult who would cause mental or physical harm to a child, and we do not tolerate such behavior.” The district has declined additional comment, citing pending litigation. Disputed claims about safety changes Prosper ISD previously told parents it would implement additional safeguards, including increased supervision during bus drop-offs, a volunteer “bus buddy” program, and improved monitoring of bus surveillance video. But the parents and their attorneys say those changes were not consistently put in place. Attorney Levi McCathern says the district does not regularly review bus surveillance footage — even though video captured the alleged abuse in this case. “You would think the first thing you would do after this happens is change your monitoring program,” McCathern said. “They don’t monitor them at all.” McCathern and co-counsel Kristin Hecker say the lawsuit is aimed at forcing policy changes rather than seeking financial gain. Questions about oversight and leadership The case has also raised broader concerns about district leadership and oversight. Prosper ISD’s school board president later resigned in an unrelated child abuse case, further shaking confidence among some parents. Families have also questioned the independence of the district’s internal review, noting that the law firm hired to investigate the district’s response is also defending Prosper ISD in the lawsuit. “All we want is an independent investigation,” McCathern said. Parents push for accountability and change The parents say their children remain enrolled in Prosper ISD, but they continue to press for reforms they believe could prevent similar abuse. “We want justice for our kids,” the girls’ mother said. “But we also want changes to happen at the district so that this doesn’t happen to other children.”  

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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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