At the Texas Legal Awards 2020 virtual event on Sept. 17, Texas Lawyer included Haynes and Boone, LLP Partner Stephanie Sivinski in its prestigious “On The Rise” listing of the state’s top young lawyers. The award recognizes her success as a civil trial litigator and her commitment to client service and pro bono work.
The On The Rise Award is given to lawyers under age 40 who have wielded influence in their practice areas in Texas and beyond. The honorees are innovators who develop unique practice niches, amass robust books of business, demonstrate strong leadership qualities, show expertise in litigation, in-house or transactional work, and commit themselves to pro bono, charitable and professional volunteer work, according to the Texas Lawyer nomination form.
The honor came one day after a high-profile pro bono legal win for Sivinski and a Haynes and Boone litigation team. On Sept. 16, the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals reformed the death sentence of Juan Lizcano, who had been sentenced to death in 2007 for killing Dallas Police Officer Brian Jackson in 2005. Sivinski,Partner Debbie McComas and Associate Jason Jordan represented Lizcano as habeas counsel after his direct appeals were unsuccessful. (Read more about the case here.)
“The On The Rise Award is a testament to Stephanie’s track record of success and the confidence that clients, in a broad range of industries place in her to vigorously represent their interests,” said Partner Russ Emerson. “In her eight years at the firm, she has proven herself as an accomplished trial lawyer, a mentor, and a leader in helping to preserve Haynes and Boone’s culture.”
Sivinski focuses her practice on complex federal-court litigation and has won trial victories in high-stakes cases ranging from patent-infringement to breach-of-contract matters across the country. Her practice has touched on technology as varied as semiconductor manufacturing to pharmaceuticals, and thermodynamics to wireless networks.
Sivinski’s successes include winning a rare defense verdict in the Eastern District of Texas. She was a lead attorney in Haynes and Boone’s representation of HiCon Co., Ltd., a Korean company sued by Plastronics Socket Partners, Ltd. for alleged patent infringement, breach of contract, tortious interference, and conspiracy, among other claims. Stephanie was recognized, along with other members of the Haynes and Boone team, by Law360 as a “Legal Lion” for the defense victory.
In addition to her civil litigation practice, she devotes significant time to pro bono matters and serves as the hiring partner for the Intellectual Property (IP) Litigation group and the firm’s Fast Track 1L hiring program.
Sivinski was recognized in D Magazine’s 2020 “Best Lawyers Under 40” directory, which highlights outstanding young lawyers in the North Texas area. For three consecutive years (2018-2020), she has been selected for inclusion in the Texas Super Lawyers Rising Stars, Thomson Reuters, directory for IP Litigation. She was also included in the "Ones to Watch" category of Best Lawyers in America, Woodward/White, Inc. (2021).
To see the full list of Texas Legal Awards 2020 winners, click here.