Free Consultation
$0 first 60 minutes
PRO
also known as Steve Mendel
Free Consultation
About Stephen A. Mendel
Stephen A. Mendel founded The Mendel Law Firm, L.P. ("MLF") on March 1, 1995. MLF is based in Houston, Texas, and has devoted itself over the past twenty-four (24) years to providing clients with the best in estate and trust planning; asset protection; business counseling; contract review, preparation, and negotiation; commercial real estate; probate, trust, and commercial litigation; and arbitration and mediation advice, counseling, and representation.
MLF emphasizes a strong, close relationship with its clients. Some of the client relationships are short term, in that MLF concentrates on and helps the client achieve a specific goal related to a single transaction. Most of the client relationships, however, are on-going because the clients have a continuing need for quality legal services. Furthermore, many of MLF’s current clients date back to the firm’s inception. Regardless of whether a client’s needs are short-term or on-going, MLF does everything possible in its role as attorneys to transform a client’s goals into positive results.
Professional Experience
Before he formed his own law firm, Mr. Mendel worked two years as a briefing attorney for a U.S. District Court judge in the Southern District of Texas, and worked in the Houston office of a nationally recognized law firm that employed more than 600 attorneys. Thereafter, he worked in a small boutique litigation firm that primarily handled civil and commercial litigation, and he co-authored two continuing legal education articles.
Before he became an attorney, Mr. Mendel practiced commercial and residential architecture. He also served as a full-time faculty member at the University of Houston’s central campus, where he taught construction related courses, and was voted teacher of the year by his students.
Mr. Mendel is a member of the State Bar of Texas and Houston Bar Association. He was admitted to the Texas Bar in 1987.
Education
Mr. Mendel graduated with high honors from the School of Architecture at the University of Texas at Austin, and received recognition as a College Scholar. He received his Juris Doctor from South Texas College of Law, where he graduated summa cum laude. During law school, Mr. Mendel served as the Executive Editor of the Law Journal, published an article entitled Negligent Infliction of Mental Distress Upon a Bystander in Texas, and received numerous awards and recognition for his academic and writing achievements.
Personal Interests
Steve and his family live in Houston, Texas. In his spare time, Steve enjoys swimming, cycling, running, and snow skiing. He is a five-time iron man.
4
Practice Areas
38 years
30 years
38 years
30 years
Free Consultation
$0 first 60 minutes
$ 195-595 per hour
33%-50%
1 %
Sometimes
State: Texas
Acquired: 1987
No misconduct found
Fax
Attorneys & Counselors, 1155 Dairy Ashford, Suite 104, Houston, TX, 77079
mendellawfirm.com
Other places you can find Stephen online.
Showing 1 - 5 of 14 client reviews from Avvo
Posted by Betty | January 17, 2025 | Hired Attorney
Stephen Mendel has done several different transactions for me including my trust. He came highly recommended to me by my financial advisor. He really takes time when you meet with him to answer any and all questions. He never makes you feel rushed which is something that means so much to me. My da...
Posted by Eileen | November 19, 2024 | Hired Attorney
Mr Mendel and his staff were so helpful to my mom and I. They took time for us , made us cookies and coffee and explained so much that we didn’t know. We are so thankful for them.
Thank you for sharing your experience with us. We deeply respect your feedback and are glad we could assist you and your mom. It's heartening to know that our team took the time to explain things thoroughly and made you both feel comfortable with cookies and coffee. We appreciate your kind words and are truly thankful for the opportunity to serve you and your family.
Posted by Nancy | December 22, 2023 | Hired Attorney
Mr. Mendel and the staff were very professional and well mannered, everything was done in a timely fashion
Posted by Bonnie | April 11, 2023 | Hired Attorney
My husband and I used Mendel Law Firm for our Estate Planning. It was a wonderful experience. In the several meetings that we held with Steve each one was very informative and he gave us some great ideas that we had not thought of. The entire personnel at the Mendel Law Firm was exceptional and v...
Posted by kd019 | July 9, 2019 | Hired Attorney
Mr. Mendel and his staff are very friendly, patient and very thorough.
"I have known Steve for roughly 25 years. We met when attending a national conference of some of the top tax and estate planning attorneys in the nation. Steve is one of the most knowledgeable, ethical and diligent lawyers that I have ever known or worked with. Our firm is based in Florida and Alabama, and Steve has helped several of our clients with complex oil and gas issues related to their estate plans or probate matters. I have great faith in his ability to handle the difficult legal issues involved in complex trusts, estate plans and tax matters."
"I whole heartedly endorse Stephen A. Mendel. I have known Steve for over 20 years. and we are both members of a national estate planning association that fosters professional excellence. Steve is a colleague of mine in the area of estate and trust planning and I have come to know that Steve is an excellent attorney in this area of law (Estate Planning). Steve is smart, compassionate, and client-focused, which are important qualities every client needs, especially in the area of law in which we practice, Estate planning. I would strongly recommend Steve to any person who needs estate or trust planning services."
"Steve is an excellent lawyer with an expansive understanding of multiple areas of the law, especially in estate planning, probate, and elder law. Steve always strives to provide the best legal assistance to his clients to ensure preservation of their legacies. For these reasons, I endorse Steve Mendel."
"I whole heartedly endorse this lawyer. I have known Stephen Mendel for over 20 years. He is a colleague of mine in the estate planning arena. We are both members of an Estate Planning Attorney association. Steve is smart, an excellent attorney, customer-service focused, and works hard for his clients. Steve has the upmost respect of his colleagues in our association. I would strongly recommend Steve to any person requiring estate planning services."
"I endorse this lawyer. I've known Steve through our affiliation with a national organization of estate planning attorneys that fosters professional excellence. Steve is a compassionate and knowledgeable estate planning attorney. He cares about his clients and makes complicated estate planning concepts easy to understand. I endorse him as an exceptional estate planning attorney."
"Stephen is one of the most accomplished attorneys with whom I am acquainted in the country. His abilities extend to all aspects of the law, but I am most acquainted with his estate planning, tax and estate administration practice. I would recommend Steve without reservation."
"Without hesitation, I endorse Steve Mendel. He is a zealous advocate for his clients and is knowledgeable on a wide range of topics ranging from estate planning to litigation to real estate. Even more impressive is the reputation he has rightfully earned as a respected leader and teacher. He takes the time to educate not only his clients but his staff and fellow colleagues. I personally value not only his legal experience and expertise, but also the time he has devoted to instilling in others the skills to be not just better attorneys, but better people."
"I endorse this lawyer because he is the best estate planning lawyer I know. When it came time for me to have a revocable living trust created for my aging father, I asked Steve Mendel to do it because I knew he would get it right the first time. Of equal importance is that he has great integrity and I know I can always trust his word. I recommend him without any reservation."
"Stephen A. Mendel is a hard working, prepared, and intelligent lawyer. It has been my great honor to learn from Steve and his broad scope of legal, technical, practical, and personal wisdom."
"I've know Steve Mendel for 14 years. We are members of an exclusive estate planning group; The American Academy of Estate Planning Attorneys. Steve's acumen in estate planning, probate, litigation and elder law is top notch. His plans are thorough and thought out. He's a no nonsense, practical lawyer and family man. His clients get the benefit of his years of experience and attention to detail. When I have a client with probate or estate issues in Texas, I always call Steve."
"I have known Steve Mendel and the Mendel Law Firm for approximately eight years. In short, Mr. Mendel is the hardest working and most knowledgeable attorney I know. His firm has a staff of extremely capable attorneys and legal assistants under his direct supervision . During these past eight years I have worked closely with Mr. Mendel and his staff on numerous matters and find them universally dedicated to furnishing the highest level of legal services to his clients. Mr. Mendel and his firm have a wide range of expertise in the law including corporate matters, estate and trust planning, probate and trust litigation, real estate, and commercial litigation."
Estate planning lawyer
Estate planning lawyer
Probate lawyer
Estate planning lawyer
Estate planning lawyer
Speeding and traffic ticket lawyer
Personal injury lawyer
Litigation lawyer
Estate planning lawyer
Employment and labor lawyer
2025
AV Preeminent Rated, Martindale-Hubbell
2018
Client's Choice, Avvo
2012
Top Contributor, Avvo
2010
Top Lawyers for the People, H Magazine
2009
Top Lawyers for the People, H Magazine
2008
Fellow, American Academy of Estate Planning Attorneys
1987
Who's Who in the South & Southwest, Who's Who Legal
1987
Who's Who Among American Law Students, Who's Who Legal
1986
American Jurisprudence Award, Negotiation & Settlement, American Jurisprudence
1985
Teacher of Year in Construction Technology, University of Houston
1985
American Jurisprudence Award, Professional Responsibility, American Jurisprudence
1995 - Present
Managing Partner, The Mendel Law Firm, L.P.
1991 - 1995
Associate Attorney, Richard, Campbell & Oathout, L.L.P.
1989 - 1991
Associate Attorney, Fulbright & Jaworski, LLP Attorneys At Law
1987 - 1989
Briefing Attorney, U.S. District Court
1981 - 1987
Faculty Member, University of Houston, College of Technology
1978 - 1981
Associate, Alex Brailas Associates
1997 - Present
American Academy of Estate Planning AttorneysFellow
1994 - Present
Texas Board of Architectural ExaminersRegistered Interior Designer
1987 - Present
Houston Bar AssociationMember
1987 - Present
State Bar of TexasMember
1985 - Present
Houston Association of RealtorsMember
1982 - Present
Texas Board of Architectural ExaminersRegistered Architect
1980 - Present
National Council Architectural Registration BoardsMember
1979 - Present
Texas Real Estate CommissionLicensed Real Estate Broker
Jury found for the plaintiff/physician and awarded $4.5 million
1986
JD - Juris Doctor
1977
B. Arch
N/A
36 Hrs./Year Estate Planning & Taxation Coursework
2011
Estate Planning
2009
Texas Rules of Professional Conduct
2008
Texas Rules of Professional Conduct
2006
2004
2002
2002
1993
1991
1985
English
Legal Answers
Legal Guides
What is considered a conflict of interest?
10 Jul 2012
What exactly is a "receipt for assets from independent executor"
09 Jul 2012
Can my father & stepmothers headstone be replaced or changed adding his new wife's name after his death?
21 Aug 2011
How to Make Sure Your Estate Has Sufficient Liquidity
14 Aug 2021
5 Things to Know about a Pour-Over Will
14 Aug 2021
5 Things to Think about When Creating a Will
07 Aug 2021