His legal acumen is very high as he thinks about all the potential claims and defenses right off the bat. He is very big picture-oriented and extremely well organized. His written work product is also very high quality. Steve is the full package.

Chambers USA, 2024

Steve Benesh is a seasoned business litigator in his 36th year of practice at Bracewell. He currently serves as President of the State Bar of Texas and is a former Chair of the Texas Bar Foundation.

Steve brings his experience and judgment to bear in helping his clients resolve their issues, whether that means vigorously protecting those interests in the courtroom or working collaboratively to reach a common-sense solution outside the courtroom. He has represented clients in diverse matters, including securities, class action, business torts, fraud, breach of fiduciary duty, deceptive trade practices, breach of contract, and products liability. Steve has first-chair jury and non-jury trial experience representing plaintiffs and defendants in state and federal courts, as well as arbitration and mediation experience.

Steve’s qualities have been described by sources quoted by Chambers USA. “Stephen is practical and business-oriented, he anticipates issues well and his work product is great,” says one source. “He is a results-oriented lawyer,” says another. In addition to his ranking in Chambers USA in Texas Litigation: Securities and General Commercial (2024), Steve is recognized by BL Rankings, Best Lawyers (2009-2025) in the areas of Bet-the-Company Litigation, Commercial Litigation, Banking and Finance Litigation and Construction Litigation. In addition, he has been honored by the same publication four times as Austin Lawyer of the Year in Banking and Finance litigation (2014, 2016, 2024) and Construction Litigation (2022). In The Legal 500 United States, Steve is recommended in Energy Litigation: Oil and Gas (2023); Dispute Resolution – General Commercial Disputes (2023); Dispute Resolution – Securities Litigation: Defense (2018, 2020-2024); Construction (including Construction Litigation) (2016-2018); and Construction (2013-2014).