Stephen Foster
Simpson, Foster & Gold
321 South Flores
San Antonio, TX 78204
Map
Phone: (210) 222-1117 | Fax: (210) 222-1253
http://www.StephenFosterLaw.com
Former Prosecutor. Real Trial Attorney.
Legal Topic
Criminal Defense
Preferred New Clients
Criminal
Sub-Topics
Abuse
- Animal Abuse
- Child Abuse
- Domestic Violence
- Elder Abuse
Aiding, Abetting, Accessory, Conspiracy
Appeals
Automotive
- Driving with a Suspended License
- Driving without a License
- DUI / DWI
- Felony Auto Accidents
- Open Container
- Parking Tickets & Towing
- Traffic Violations
Capital Crimes/Capital Cases
Computer Crimes
- Hacking
- Malicious Code
- Unauthorized Access
Criminal Records
- Expungement or Expunction
Drug Crime
- Drug Cultivation & Manufacturing
- Drug Possession
- Intent to Distribute Drugs
- Intent to Sell Drugs
- Medical Marijuana
Environmental Violations
False Identification
Felonies
Firearms & Weapons
- Constitutional Rights Defense
- Illegal Possession or Transportation
- Other Weapons & Devices
Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Bank Fraud
- Checks & Credit Cards
- Corporate Espionage & Sabotage
- Embezzlement
- Extortion
- Forgery
- Identity Theft
- Insider Trading
- Insurance Claims
- Money Laundering
- Public Offerings
- Racketeering & RICO
- Securities Fraud
- Smuggling
- Tax Evasion & Fraud
- Trade Secrets
- Wire Transfer
Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transsexual, Transgender (LGBT) Rights
Grand Jury Proceedings
Juvenile Crime
Military Crimes (UCMJ)
Misdemeanors
Parole
Perjury
Plea Negotiation
Probation
Property Crimes
- Arson
- Burglary
- Embezzlement
- Larceny
- Shoplifting
- Theft
- Trespass
- Vandalism
Search & Seizure
Sex Crimes
- Abduction
- Child Abuse
- Child Pornography
- Indecent Exposure
- Prostitution, Solicitation, & Pandering
- Rape
- Sexual Assault
- Stalking
- Trafficking in Women
Truancy
Victims' Rights
Violent Crimes
- Assault & Battery
- Domestic Violence
- Extortion
- Kidnapping
- Manslaughter
- Murder
- Robbery
Legal Topic
Business Law
Preferred New Clients
Business
Sub-Topics
Admiralty & Maritime Law
- Jones Act
- Longshore & Harbor Workers' Compensation Act
- Marine Cargo
- Shipping
Agribusiness
- Agrochemicals
- Crops
- Equine
- Farms & Ranches
- Livestock
- United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)
Antitrust & Trade Regulation
- Antitrust Law
- Deceptive Trade Practices
- False Advertising
- International Antitrust
- Mergers, Acquisitions, & Divestitures
- RICO Act
- Unfair Competition
Banking & Finance
- Commercial Banks & Loans
- Commercial Leasing
- Credit Unions
- International Banking
- Mortgages & Foreclosures
- Savings & Thrifts
- State & Municipal Bonds & Financing
- Venture Capital
Bankruptcy - Commercial
- Reorganizations & Restructuring
- Workouts
Bars & Restaurants
- Liquor Licenses
Business Entity Formation
- Business Successions
- Buying & Selling
- Closely Held Businesses
- Corporations
- Directors' & Officers' Liability
- Franchising
- Joint Ventures
- Limited Liability Companies (LLCs)
- Mergers, Acquisitions & Divestitures
- Nonprofits & Tax-Exempt Corporations
- Partnerships
- Professional Corporations
- Public Offerings
- Shareholders' Rights
- Trade Associations
Business Litigation
Business Tax
- Audit Defense
- Corporate Income Taxes
- Excise Taxes
- International Taxes
- IRS Disputes
- Negotiating Payments & Settlements
- Payroll Taxes
- Property Taxes (Ad Valorem Taxes)
- Sales Taxes
- Tax Evasion Defense
- Tax Filing & Compliance
Collections
- Creditor's Rights
- Garnishees
- Judgments
- Locating Funds
Commercial Law
- Breach of Contract
- Contract Disputes
- Contract Drafting & Review
- Employment Contracts
- Franchises
- International Transactions
- Non-Compete Contracts
- Secured Transactions
- Uniform Commercial Code
- Warranties
Construction
- Commercial Construction Contracts
- Construction Defects
- Construction Disputes
- Dangerous Property
- Government Construction Contracts
- Mechanics' Liens
Consumer Law
- Consumer Class Actions
- Credit Report Problems
- Debt Collection/Relief/Harassment
- Foreclosures
- Frauds, Scams, Hoaxes
- Identity Theft
- Lemon Law
- Repossessions
- Student Loans
- Truth in Lending
Entertainment Law
- Art
- Communication & Media
- Film
- Gaming
- Internet
- Literary Arts
- Music
- Publishing
- Sports
- Television
- Tourism, Travel, & Leisure
Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transsexual, Transgender (LGBT) Rights
Government Contracts
- Debarment
- Defense Contracts
- Defense Procurement
- Federal Contracts
- Government Construction Contracts
- State & Municipal Contracts
Insurance - Commercial
- Annuities
- Bad Faith
- Casualty Insurance
- Commercial Insurance
- Directors' & Officers' Liability
- Errors & Omissions
- Fidelity, Guarantee, & Surety
- Health Insurance
- Insurance Malpractice
- Insurance Subrogation
- Life Insurance
- Motor Vehicle Insurance
- Property Insurance
- Reinsurance
International Law
- Business & Trade
- Customs
- Foreign Investment
- Imports & Exports
- International Arbitration
- International Banking
- International Taxation
- International Transactions
- Trade Regulation
Internet (Cyberspace)
- Computer Crimes
- Computer Law
- Digital Signatures
- Domain Names
- Electronic Commerce
- Identity Theft
- Spam
Mediation/Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR)
Bar Admissions
TX, Dec 2001
Bar Number: 24005529
Other Court Admissions
• All State Courts in Texas
• All Federal Courts in Texas
Association Memberships
• American Bar Association
• Texas Bar Association
• Texas Criminal Defense Attorney Association
• San Antonio Criminal Defense Lawyer Association
• San Antonio Trial Lawyer Association
Continuing Education
Stays on the cutting edge of the law by taking much more than the minimum number of hours required.
Papers and Publications
Has been on television numerous times as a commentator and presenter. Has been published weekly in the Laredo Morning Times as their legal correspondent. Wrote the Defendant's guide to Texas Criminal Law.
Example Cases
Criminal Law:
State v. P.R.
Client was accused of Assault of a Public Servant. Defendant had a high profile job with the U.S. Government and needed a dismissal or acquittal to save his job. After several court settings and refusal of the defense to plea, the State of Texas dismissed the charges.
Business Law:
State v. T.C.
Client was accused of Sexual Assault of a Minor. District Attorney's office demanded prison and lifetime registration as a sex offender. Client was tried and the jury failed to reach a verdict. Based in part on the aggressive defense in the first trial, the State of Texas dismissed charges on the day of the start of the second trial.
Stephen Foster has represented a large number of clients in high profile cases as well as several cases where high profile clients wanted their cases out of the media spotlight.
Education
University of Texas
Juris Doctorate
Austin
TX
2000
Oklahoma State University
Bachelor of Arts
Stillwater
OK
1996
Intercollegiate Legislature Moot Court Champion. Stephen Foster was the entire team. As of 2011, it was the only time the Champion came from a school that did not have a Law School attached as part of the team.
Number of Attorneys
3
State Licensed In
Texas
Firm Focus and History
Simpson, Foster & Gold is an aggressive litigation firm. Simpson, Foster & Gold has had success litigating cases where our clients' lives and fortunes have been at stake. Simpson, Foster & Gold is one of a select number of firms that other law firms and lawyers turn to when cases are headed for trial. Established in 2005 by former Bexar County prosecutors, our firm is currently one of the top firms for both high-end civil and criminal litigation.
Previous Employment Summary
• Associate, Alvarez, Notzon & Gutierrez
• Webb and Zapata County Prosecutor
• Bexar County Prosecutor
Activities and Awards
2010 "Rising Star" as selected by Law & Politics magazine. Featured in Texas Monthly article as a 2010 "Rising Star".
What is your opinion regarding clients educating themselves on legal issues?
I am entirely in favor of people educating themselves. If I had a case, I would want to know everything that was going on in the case. Other clients don't care how I get the job done, they only want results. Either approach is understandable, and if my client is happy, then I am happy.
Are you willing to review documents prepared by clients?
I certainly would, but it is usually cheaper and easier to do it myself.
Are you willing to coach clients who want to represent themselves?
I certainly would, but most of my cases involve people's lives and fortunes and typically they aren't the types of cases where people represent themselves.
Why did you decide to be a lawyer?
I figured I'd be a good lawyer. It is always more enjoyable to do something when you are good. The law is interesting and changing or saving a person's life is rewarding.
What work experience and education helps you be a better lawyer?
Having over 160 jury trials has been the most important experience. When an attorney is a real trial lawyer and the other side knows it, the negotiations are impacted significantly.
Why did you decide on your primary area of practice?
I love trial law. Trial law is where I am best and where I have the most experience.
What do you like best about your career?
I love the moments when you get to tell somebody the best news of their lives. It also feels pretty good when you hear that someone told someone else how great you did, even years after the fact. Also, when juries come back the way you want them to, it feels fabulous as well.
Tell us about your law firm:
I have great people working with me. My staff is truly fantastic and much of my success is due to the people I have around me. I intentionally do not have very many attorneys that work for me full-time because I like to pick and choose who handles a particular case. If a case has unique issues, I want the flexibility of bringing in a lawyer that has handled those issues before. Also, if a lawyer doesn't treat my clients the way I expect, or get them the results that they expect, I need the ability to find talent elsewhere.
What are your strengths and style?
I don't yell or scream and try to act aggressive to impress anyone. I am always polite, courteous, and professional. I prefer to let my preparation and reputation speak for me.
Personal Interests:
I am very lucky in that I absolutely love my job. I get to work for wonderful clients. Every case is different and that keeps everything fresh and exciting.
Office Manager/Assistant
Patricia Trevino
Fax
(210) 222-1253
Office Hours
Monday through Friday
8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Emergency After Hours call: (210) 222-1117
Emergency After Hours
Yes
Foreign Languages
Spanish
Fixed-Price Services and Fees
I typically either charge by the hour or receive my fees from the proceeds of the case. Different types of cases have different rules and different fee structures are appropriate in different situations.
Hourly Rates
Between $200 and $300 an hour is typical. This fee is for how long it would take a top attorney to perform a given task. If a task takes longer, for example, requires research into an area of the law with which I am not familiar, I do not charge for the extra time.
Free Initial Consultation?
Completely free consultations, either on the phone or in person for as long as it takes to figure out whether someone needs a lawyer, or whether or not I am the right lawyer for a case.
Typical Retainer
Retainers depend upon the specific case. Typically, all retainers are fully refundable for all work not done.
Nolo's Licensing Check
Attorneys have passed a licensing check. Nolo has confirmed that every member attorney has a valid license and is in good standing with the state agency that licenses lawyers upon joining the directory.
Directory lawyers are required to notify Nolo immediately if they become the subject of any disciplinary action by any state licensing agency.
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