--- title: "News" description: "Stone Hilton's attorneys and clients are regularly in the news. Catch up on the latest about some of Stone Hilton's people and cases here." source_url: "https://www.stonehilton.com/news" canonical_path: "/news" content_type: "news-index" --- The latest on our firm updates, key filings, media appearances, events, and client wins. ## Heading News & Updates # Recent News # Stone Hilton and VetClaims.AI Sue the VA to Protect Veteran Access to Essential Care Published: October 14, 2026 AUSTIN – Stone Hilton today filed a federal lawsuit against the Secretary of Veterans Affairs on behalf of VetClaims.AI, an education and support organization for veterans pursuing disability claims before the VA. Current restrictions prohibit veterans from paying for private assistance with their claims. While VetClaims.AI does not file claims for veterans or interface with the VA, it is nevertheless hindered in its efforts to help veterans with their claims by providing education and support to those navigating the disability claims process. By preventing veterans from paying a modest flat fee for those services, the VA has exceeded its statutory authority and violated constitutional protections in restricting veterans' access to help obtaining benefits to which they are entitled. Source: [/news/stone-hilton-and-vetclaimsai-sue-va-to-protect-veteran-rights](/news/stone-hilton-and-vetclaimsai-sue-va-to-protect-veteran-rights) # Stone Hilton Partner Noah Schottenstein Publishes His Insights for the Global Private Capital Association Published: October 7, 2026 FORT WORTH – Stone Hilton Partner Noah Schottenstein recently authored an article on liquidity trends and maximizing value in tail-end funds, which was published in the Global Private Capital Association's Legal & Regulatory Journal. Noah is the co-editor of the Journal. Noah's article explores the legal challenges that funds may encounter in the current era of long, illiquid holding periods and provides suggestions for managers, investors, and governors to prepare for and react to distressed scenarios. Through his work on behalf of clients and his engagement with industry groups, Noah continues to lead Stone Hilton's Investment Disputes and Special Situations practice and influence global conversations about topics that impact the financial and legal landscape. Source: [/news/partner-schottenstein-publishes-article](/news/partner-schottenstein-publishes-article) # Stone Hilton Expands Presence With New Fort Worth Office Published: June 23, 2026 FORT WORTH – Stone Hilton has announced the opening of its new office in Fort Worth, Texas. The Dallas-Fort Worth region has emerged as one of the nation’s most dynamic markets and become a new center of gravity for financial services and healthcare institutions. The new office is managed by partner Noah Schottenstein, who also leads the firm’s Investment Disputes and Special Situations practice group. “The DFW region is one of the fastest growing metros in the country and has become the second-largest financial services hub in the country,” said Noah. “Our office highlights the firm’s commitment to strategic growth in key practice areas and in markets with national or international reach. The demand for highly specialized legal counsel has never been greater.” Source: [/news/stone-hilton-expands-presence-with-new-fort-worth-office](/news/stone-hilton-expands-presence-with-new-fort-worth-office) # Stone Hilton Expands to Houston With New Office in Galleria Area Published: April 29, 2026 HOUSTON - Stone Hilton is proud to announce the firm’s expansion to Houston with a new office in the Galleria area. Partner Alex Dvorscak and associates Cody Watson and Dave Finkel will continue their focus on serving clients in the greater Houston region, including Harris County and the US Southern District of Texas. “This new office allows us to deliver the high-level counsel our clients expect in one of the most important business markets in the country.” – Judd Stone, Firm Chairman Stay tuned for more Stone Hilton announcements in the near future. Source: [/news/stone-hilton-expands-to-houston-with-new-office-in-galleria-area](/news/stone-hilton-expands-to-houston-with-new-office-in-galleria-area) # Stone Hilton Obtains Key Appellate Ruling for Client Published: March 26, 2026 AUSTIN – Today, the Ninth Court of Appeals of Texas ruled in favor of Stone Hilton client and Montgomery County Judge Mark Keough on an important issue concerning the Texas Citizens Participation Act, commonly referred to as Texas’s “anti-SLAPP law.” Keough, the victim of a defamatory and extortionate scheme, was vindicated today after Defendants Chad Pinkerton and the Pinkerton Law Firm sought to dismiss Keough’s claims via the anti-SLAPP statute. The Ninth Court held that Pinkerton’s alleged conduct may have constituted extortion as a matter of law and ruled that the anti-SLAPP statute—like the First Amendment—does not protect speech integral to criminal conduct, allowing Keough’s claims to proceed in the trial court. Stone Hilton is proud to serve clients facing reputational harms and to participate in the development of this important area of law. Source: [/news/stone-hilton-obtains-key-appellate-ruling-for-client](/news/stone-hilton-obtains-key-appellate-ruling-for-client) # Governor Abbott’s Deputy General Counsel, Anthony Rodregous, Joins Stone Hilton Published: March 8, 2026 AUSTIN – Stone Hilton welcomes Anthony Rodregous, a seasoned trial lawyer, senior government official, and trusted advisor to the firm as Partner. Having led litigation matters involving Governor Abbot, served as Counsel to Senator Cruz, managed policy portfolios, prosecuted criminals, and served in the JAG corps, Mr. Rodregous comes to the firm with a rare breadth of experience. Source: [/news/governor-abbotts-deputy-general-counsel-anthony-rodregous-joins-stone-hilton](/news/governor-abbotts-deputy-general-counsel-anthony-rodregous-joins-stone-hilton) # Stone Hilton Promotes Alex Dvorscak to Partner Published: September 9, 2025 AUSTIN - Stone Hilton is proud to announce the promotion of Alex Dvorscak to Partner, recognizing his outstanding litigation experience, courtroom achievements, and commitment to client service. Since joining Stone Hilton from an elite Houston-based commercial trial boutique, Alex has quickly distinguished himself as a dynamic trial lawyer trusted by clients to handle high-stakes disputes. Based in Houston, his broad litigation experience representing both plaintiffs and defendants includes trying several cases to verdict, including a breach of contract jury trial in Harris County, a trade secret and patent jury trial in the Central District of California, and a tortious interference with contract jury trial in Travis County. Source: [/news/stone-hilton-promotes-alex-dvorscak-to-partner](/news/stone-hilton-promotes-alex-dvorscak-to-partner) # Stone Hilton Welcomes Former U.S. Supreme Court Clerk Kathryn Cherry as Newest Partner Published: July 23, 2025 AUSTIN – Stone Hilton is proud to announce the addition of Kathryn Cherry, an accomplished appellate advocate, former U.S. Supreme Court clerk, and former intelligence analyst, as a partner in the firm’s litigation and appellate practice. Kathryn brings a remarkable unique skillset to Stone Hilton—first as an intelligence analyst defending the nation against foreign threats, then as an attorney defending individual rights and shaping the law within U.S. borders. Her unique background informs a legal approach that is both incisive and inventive, combining sharp analytical skills with creative litigation strategies. A proven force in appellate and civil litigation, Kathryn has successfully argued cases across the country and changed the landscape of both federal and state law in the process. She has litigated at the highest levels, representing Fortune 500 companies at a top-tier Am Law 100 firm, and serving in key public roles as an Assistant U.S. Attorney and as Assistant Solicitor General in the Texas Attorney General’s Office. Source: [/news/stone-hilton-welcomes-former-us-supreme-court-clerk-kathryn-cherry-as-newest-partner](/news/stone-hilton-welcomes-former-us-supreme-court-clerk-kathryn-cherry-as-newest-partner) # Market-Leading Investment Disputes Attorney Joins Stone Hilton as Partner Published: June 10, 2025 AUSTIN – Stone Hilton announced that Noah M. Schottenstein, a distinguished former trial attorney with the U.S. Department of Justice and Assistant U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Texas, has joined the firm as a partner. Noah brings decades of experience working on the most sophisticated government enforcement and investment fund matters. Noah’s government service includes critical leadership in nationally significant enforcement matters, including the DOJ-led interagency Financial Fraud Enforcement Task Force, the landmark $25 billion National Mortgage Settlement, and SIGTARP oversight. He has represented the United States in high-stakes litigation before the U.S. Supreme Court and in investigations involving investment fraud, constitutional challenges, and administrative disputes. Source: [/news/market-leading-investment-disputes-attorney-joins-stone-hilton-as-partner](/news/market-leading-investment-disputes-attorney-joins-stone-hilton-as-partner) # Stone Hilton Expands Litigation Team With Addition of Caroline Merideth and Cody Watson Published: March 18, 2025 AUSTIN - Stone Hilton is pleased to announce the addition of Caroline Merideth and Cody Watson to its expanding litigation practice. Ms. Merideth joins the firm as counsel, bringing extensive experience in high-stakes litigation and appellate advocacy, while Mr. Watson, a recent graduate of Harvard Law School, adds a strong background in trial advocacy, legal research, and strategic litigation. “We are thrilled to welcome both Caroline and Cody to Stone Hilton,” said Judd Stone. “Caroline’s deep litigation experience and tenacious advocacy, combined with Cody’s impressive trial skills and legal acumen, will significantly enhance our ability to serve clients in complex litigation matters.” Source: [/news/stone-hilton-expands-litigation-team-with-addition-of-caroline-merideth-and-cody-watson](/news/stone-hilton-expands-litigation-team-with-addition-of-caroline-merideth-and-cody-watson) # Stone Hilton Files Antitrust Lawsuit Against Major Crowdfunding Companies Published: December 9, 2024 AUSTIN – Stone Hilton filed a lawsuit today on behalf of Coast Runner, Inc. an innovative engineering company, against Kickstarter PBC, Indiegogo, Inc., and Launchboom, Inc., alleging an illegal conspiracy to sabotage crowdfunding campaigns for Coast Runner’s groundbreaking product, the CR-1, because they disagree the political views of Coast Runner’s founders. These companies caved to outside pressure from anti-gun advocates—and violated antitrust law—because Coast Runner’s founders are staunch supporters of Second Amendment rights. The CR-1 is a desktop CNC machine capable of precise metal fabrication, offering a transformative solution for industrial applications and hobbyists alike. The CR-1 can mill metals as hard as titanium to within one thousandth of an inch of precision, and it is a revolutionary alternative to expensive and time-consuming custom fabrication by traditional machinists. The CR-1 has been recognized by the U.S. government has an all-purpose industrial tool with broad application across many industries. Source: [/news/stone-hilton-files-antitrust-lawsuit-against-major-crowdfunding-companies](/news/stone-hilton-files-antitrust-lawsuit-against-major-crowdfunding-companies) # Stone Hilton Announces Addition of New Partner to the Firm Published: August 7, 2024 AUSTIN – Stone Hilton has recently added veteran litigator Elizabeth Brown Fore as a partner in the firm. Ms. Brown Fore brings a wealth of experience to Stone Hilton having worked in private practice and in the public sector. She was a litigation partner at DLA Piper and Sprinkle IP Law Group, and previously worked at Morgan Lewis. She also worked at the Texas Attorney General’s Office as a trial lawyer and as Chief of two different divisions, the Administrative Law Division and the Healthcare Program Enforcement Division. “We are very excited to have Elizabeth join the firm,” said Judd Stone. “Elizabeth’s specialized experience and long history of winning in federal court litigation significantly expands our firm’s ability to take on high profile cases. We can’t wait to deliver this success to our clients.” Source: [/news/stone-hilton-announces-addition-of-new-partner-to-the-firm](/news/stone-hilton-announces-addition-of-new-partner-to-the-firm)