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Steve Eliot Smith
also known as Dusty, Steve Eliot Sanderfer
About Steve
Biography
Steve was first licensed to practice law in 1990. His first six years as an attorney was spent serving his country as an attorney in the Army. In 1995, Steve was licensed to practice law in Texas. His practice includes fighting for anyone who is in need of help due to family problems, criminal problems, or that has been injured due to the negligence of someone else..
The road to this position has been a long, fruitful one for Steve. He began his legal career as a bailiff/law clerk for a circuit court judge, working a full-time job during the day and attending law school full-time at night. After passing the bar, Steve was commissioned as an officer in the Army and served six years in the Judge Advocate General’s Corp. During that time, Steve served as a prosecutor, involved in several high-profile prosecutions. Later, Steve served as a criminal defense attorney and was in charge of the Criminal Defense Office at Ft. Sill, Oklahoma where his office had the one of, if not the best, trial record in the entire United States Army. Steve also served in Honduras in a job that included advising the United States Ambassador to Honduras. It was in this position that Steve was nominated as the Best Young Attorney in the entire United States’ Military. Steve left the Army in 1996 as a Captain.
After leaving the military, Steve has worked very hard to help those in need.
Steve has not limited himself to the legal arena. While living in Lancaster, Texas, Steve was elected to three terms as a city councilman. During his last term, Steve was voted as the Best Elected Official in the Best of the Best Southwest (cities included Lancaster, Duncanville, Cedar Hill, Midlothian, and De Soto).
Later, when Steve moved to Dallas, he was appointed by Mayor Laura Miller to serve as Chairman of the Dallas Civil Service Board, where he served for three years.
In 2003, Steve was asked by Brigadier General Marshall Scantlin to come into the Texas State Guard and serve as his Judge Advocate. Steve complied and has served not only as an attorney, but in command, earning military awards for his work during Hurricane Katrina, Hurricane Rita, and various other operations. Steve, a Lieutenant Colonel, graduated from the Command General Staff College. He resigned his commission when he moved to Utah.
Steve is also a published poet and songwriter.
Steve is happily married to Susan Foster Smith and has four wonderful children, Joshua, Ashley, Brittany, and Matthew. He has one two granddaughters, Kalliope and Chloe.
Date of Birth: July 1, 1960
Place of Birth: Keesler Air Force Base, Biloxi, Mississippi
Undergraduate Education:
The University of Texas at Austin- B.S. – Journalism/Public Relations 1982
Graduate Education:
The Thomas Cooley Law School-Doctorate of Jurisprudence 1989
Military Service: Attained rank of Lieutenant Colonel
Licensure: State Bar of Texas- Active
State Bar of Michigan- Inactive
Language Fluency: English, Spanish
Practice Areas
4
Practice Areas
Personal Injury
35%
31 years
Car Accident
30%
31 years
Litigation
25%
35 years
Wrongful Death
10%
29 years
Fees and Rates
Cost
Contingency
33%-40%
Payment Methods
- Cash
- Check
- Credit Card
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Chat withLicenses
Licensed in Texas for 30 years
State: Texas
Acquired: 1995
No misconduct found
Licensed in Michigan for 35 years
State: Michigan
Acquired: 1990
No misconduct found
Location
Angel Reyes & Associates
8222 Douglas Ave, Suite 400, Dallas, TX, 75225
Angel Reyes & Associates
2100 N Main St, Suite 217, Fort Worth, TX, 76164
Angel Reyes & Associates
3040 Post Oak Blvd, Suite 825, Houston, TX, 77056
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Steve Eliot Smith's Reviews
Showing 1 - 5 of 6 client reviews from Avvo
Posted by anonymous | March 7, 2018 | Hired Attorney
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
The Honey Badger of Personal Injury
Steve Smith runs circles around all of the personal injury attorneys that I have met and being in this industry I have come to know a lot of them! He presents well, he speaks well, he has extensive knowledge on personal injury claims, and he has shown exceptional work in the office as well as in the ...
Posted by Debbie | May 20, 2015
Sensible Attorney
I highly recommend Steve Sanderfer. As my plaintiff attorney, he mixes law and common sense. He has a calm and sensible demeanor and approach during times of overwhelming circumstances. He fights hard for his clients. I am very happy with the work he does for me. When I need a level headed attorn...
Posted by Jacqueline | February 22, 2015
Steve Sanderfer is an amazing attorney.
Never in my life have I met an attorney that has listened and fought so hard for his clients. He is truly and amazing attorney and if I was ever in an accident again he would be the first person I called because I know that he would fight for me. I trust him to do all he can for me and he is very ...
Posted by Katherine | January 6, 2014
Smart, friendly, professional & courteous
Steve was amazing! I started out trying to handle my car accident on my own (I was rear-ended) and the adjuster from the other insurance company quickly took advantage of my lack of knowledge. I called Steve and he jumped right in making phone calls and sending emails to the adjuster while keep me...
Posted by anonymous | January 3, 2014
Knowledgeable, and very professional...Highly recommended!!
After hiring Mr. Sanderfer as my attorney, we discussed every detail of what I was being accused of and he was very knowledgeable in the subject matter. He told me the possible outcomes both good and bad, however I never doubted him for a moment. After he spoke to the detective only one time, the cas...
Steve Eliot Smith's Lawyer Endorsements
"I endorse this lawyer. He and I have worked the opposite sides of several cases and have even tried a case or two against one another in a bygone era back when I worked defense. He was and is a great advocate for his clients and if you count yourselves among them, you should feel fortunate."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"Steve is an outstanding personal injury attorney to whom I have referred many clients."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"I endorse this lawyer. Very passionate about his work and clients."
"Steve is an excellent attorney with a lot of experience that I strongly recommend."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"I endorse this lawyer. He's simply great at what he does, with a great dedication to his clients."
"A very skilled and competent attorney, with a wealth of knowledge in several areas of litigation."
"Steve is one of the best in his field of practice with solid experience and the utmost professionalism. He works very hard to get the best results for all of his clients."
"Steve is a plaintiff's advocate with excellent litigation skills."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"Steven Sanderfer truly cares about his cases and his clients and works to get the very best results."
"I endorse this lawyer. Steve is very dedicated to his clients, very skilled, and very knowledgeable of the law."
"I endorse this lawyer. Steve is a highly ethical and competent personal injury attorney who I would turn to for guidance in this area of the law."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"I endorse Steve. Highly respected attorney in the legal community with a reputation for client advocacy and dedication."
Michelle Young
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Experience
Honors
2024
Distinguished, Martindale-Hubbell
2023
Who's Who in America, Marquis Who's Who in America
2019
Top 100 Trial Lawyers, National Trial Lawyers
2017
Distinguished, Martindale-Hubbell
2015
BV Rated, Martindale-Hubbell
2007
Texas Medal of Merit, Texas Military Forces
2006
Texas Meritorious Service Medal, Texas Military Forces
2005
Texas Outstanding Service Medal, The State of Texas
2002
Best Elected Official in the Best Southwest, The Best Southwest Cities
1993
Nominated for Best Young Military Attorney of the Year, United States Army
1993
Joint Commendation Medal, United States Army
1992
Army Commendation Medal, United States Army
1987
Dean's List, Thomas M. Cooley Law School
1979
Dean's List, University of Texas
Work Experience
2017 - Present
Managing Attorney, Reyes Browne and Reilley
2012 - 2014
Senior Litigator, Modjarrad & Abusaad, Law Firm
2009 - 2012
Managing Attorney, Bailey & Galyen
2006 - 2009
Managing Attorney, Law Office of Domingo Garcia
2006 - 2008
Attorney, United States Army Jag Corps
2003 - 2006
Managing Partner, Vera & Sanderfer
1998 - 2003
Attorney, Law Office of Erwin Cain, PC
1998 - 2003
City Councilman, District 5, City of Lancaster, Texas
1996 - 1998
Managing Attorney, Law Office of Jose Angel Gutierrez
1990 - 1996
Army-Reservist, United States Army Jag Corps
1989 - 1990
Paralegal Professor, Jackson Community College
1987 - 1990
Bailiff/Law Clerk, 4th Circuit Court, Jackson, Michigan
Associations
2015 - Present
J. Reuben Clark Law SocietyMember
2014 - Present
St. Thomas More SocietyAttorney Member
2012 - Present
United States District Court, Eastern District of TexasAttorney Member
2012 - Present
Dallas Bar AssociationAttorney Member
2012 - Present
NRAMember
2011 - Present
State Bar of Texas, Computer and Technology SectionAttorney Member
2010 - Present
American LegionMember
2008 - Present
AMVETSMember
2007 - Present
United States District Court, Souther District of TexasAttorney Member
2007 - Present
United States District Court, Western District of TexasAttorney Member
2004 - Present
Texas State GuardLieutenant Colonel- Attorney
2004 - Present
United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth CircuitAttorney Member
2004 - Present
Knights of Columbus4th Degree Member
2001 - Present
Dallas Trial Lawyers AssociationAttorney Member
1997 - Present
United States District Court, Northern District of TexasAttorney Member
1995 - Present
State Bar of TexasAttorney Member
1996 - 1998
American Bar AssociationAttorney Member
Sample of Legal Cases
Spratt v. Defendant
Plaintiff Verdict
Tran v. Rodriguez
We won. Verdict for Plaintiff.
Unites States v. MAJ Louis B. Niles
We Won. Conviction.
Hernandez v. Roberts
Plaintiff Verdict
Thomas v. Allison
Plaintiff Verdict
Castro v. McDaniel
Plaintiff Verdict
Idea Perez
Good Settlement for Plaintiff after trial started
Education
1990
Thomas M. Cooley Law School
JD - Juris Doctor
1982
University of Texas System, Austin
BS - Bachelor of Science
Speaking Engagements
1994
Regional Defense Conference
Thinking Outside the Box
Publications
2011
The Legal Newsletter
The New Battlefront
2011
The Legal Newsletter
And Now, Speaking on Behalf of Big Insurance
2011
The Legal Newsletter
Texting
2011
The Legal Newsletter
The Bite is Worse Than the Bark
2011
The Legal Newsletter
The First Steps
2011
The Legal Newsletter
The New Battlefront, Part 2
2011
The Legal Newsletter
The Trial
2011
The Legal Newsletter
The Do's and Don'ts
2010
The Legal Newsletter
Do We Really Need An Attorney?
2010
The Legal Newsletter
The Gap
Languages
English
Spanish
Activity
Legal Answers
Legal Guides
Legal Answers
Q&A
What is an exhibit in a custody case?
04 Feb 2014
Q&A
My dog died as a result of eating rat poison I was unaware of. Do I have a case? If so what do I do?
27 Jan 2014
Q&A
Need some legal advise on a diminished value claim against an at-fault person's auto insurance company.
24 Jan 2014
Legal Guides
Legal Guide
The Gap in Treatment
05 May 2012
Legal Guide
The First Steps
05 May 2012
Legal Guide
The Bite IS Sometimes Worse than the Bark
05 May 2012