Stephen A. Mendel

PRO

Stephen A. Mendel

also known as Steve Mendel

5.0
Rating: 9.9

Licensed for 38 years

Estate planning Lawyer at Houston, TX
Practice Areas: Estate Planning, Contracts & Agreements, Litigation, Probate

Attorneys & Counselors, 1155 Dairy Ashford, Suite 104, Houston, TX

Free Consultation

About Stephen

Biography

Helping Clients Preserve Their Wealth and Legacies through Estate, Trust, and Special Needs Planning, and Probate and Trust Administration.

Helping Clients Preserve Their Wealth and Legacies through Estate, Trust, and Special Needs Planning, and Probate and Trust Administration.

Practice Areas

4

Practice Areas

Contracts and Agreements 25%

Contract review, drafting, negotiation, and commercial business advice.

38 years

25%
Estate Planning 25%

Last Wills & Testaments; revocable living trusts; irrevocable life insurance trusts; grandchildren trusts; education trusts; chartible trusts; family limited partnerships.

30 years

25%
Litigation 25%

Probate & trust disputes; commercial, contract, fraud, and breach of fiduciary duty disputes; construction; consumer, employment; energy; insurance; mediation, arbitration, personal injury.

38 years

25%
Probate 25%

Probate Last Wills & Testaments; probate intestate (no Will) estates; judicial determinations of heirships; affidavits of heirships.

30 years

25%

Fees and Rates

Cost

Free Consultation

$0 first 60 minutes

Hourly Rates

$ 195-595 per hour

Contingency

33%-50%

Pro bono

1 %

Retainer

Sometimes


Payment Methods

  • Cash
  • Check
  • Credit Card

Awards

Silver Client Champion
AV Preeminent Peer Review Rating
Client's Choice
Client's Choice
2018

Licenses

Licensed in Texas for 38 years

State: Texas

Acquired: 1987

Eligible to Practice in Texas

No misconduct found

Location

The Mendel Law Firm, L.P.

Attorneys & Counselors, 1155 Dairy Ashford, Suite 104, Houston, TX, 77079

mendellawfirm.com

Online Presence

Other places you can find Stephen online.

Stephen A. Mendel's Reviews

Avvo Review Score

5.0 /5.0

14 Client Reviews

5 star (14)
4 star (0)
3 star (0)
2 star (0)
1 star (0)

Posted by Betty | January 17, 2025 | Hired Attorney

This review is from a person who hired this attorney.

Very Professional

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...ughters plan on using him to put their trusts together. I would recommend him to anyone looking for an exceptional lawyer.

Posted by Eileen | November 19, 2024 | Hired Attorney

This review is from a person who hired this attorney.

Awesome law firm

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.

Stephen Mendel

Replied last December 26, 2024

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

This review is from a person who hired this attorney.

Very professional

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

This review is from a person who hired this attorney.

Mendel Law Firm is the BEST!

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...ery helpful. When we completed our estate planning we had a wonderful meeting, headed by Steve, explaining our wishes to our family. I would 100% recommend this law firm.

Posted by kd019 | July 9, 2019 | Hired Attorney

This review is from a person who hired this attorney.

Great Service!

Mr. Mendel and his staff are very friendly, patient and very thorough.

See All Client Reviews

Stephen A. Mendel's Lawyer Endorsements

Endorse Stephen
Michael Lawrence Cumpton headshot
Michael Cumpton

Estate planning lawyer | Oct 11

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"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."

Charles Gary Hicks headshot
Charles Hicks

Estate planning lawyer | Jun 25

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"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."

Emily Jordan Wyatt headshot
Emily Wyatt

Estate planning lawyer | Jul 31

Relationship: Worked for lawyer

"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."

Paul Allen Kraft headshot
Paul Kraft

Estate planning lawyer | Sep 24

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"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."

Kristopher K. Ahn headshot
Kristopher Ahn

Unknown lawyer | Feb 03

Relationship: Other

"I endorse this lawyer."

Richard B Schneider headshot
Richard Schneider

Estate planning lawyer | Oct 30

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"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."

Bradley B Anderson headshot
Bradley Anderson

Estate planning lawyer | Oct 14

Relationship: Other

"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."

Michelle P. Biddinger headshot
Michelle Biddinger

Estate planning lawyer | Aug 07

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer. They are an expert in the field of estate planning."

Thuy Trang Truongle Tran headshot
Thuy Tran

Estate planning lawyer | Sep 23

Relationship: Worked for lawyer

"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."

James Michael Baker headshot
James Baker

Estate planning lawyer | Sep 22

Relationship: Worked together on matter

"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."

Bradley Earl Featherston headshot
Bradley Featherston

Estate planning lawyer | Sep 22

Relationship: Worked for lawyer

"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."

Cheryl K. David headshot
Cheryl David

Probate lawyer | Sep 08

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"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."

Syd Phillips headshot
Syd Phillips

Probate lawyer | Sep 06

Relationship: Worked together on matter

"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."

View All Endorsements
Michael Lawrence Cumpton headshot
Michael Cumpton

Estate planning lawyer

Charles Gary Hicks headshot
Charles Hicks

Estate planning lawyer

Emily Jordan Wyatt headshot
Emily Wyatt

Probate lawyer

Gerald Melvin Dorn headshot
Gerald Dorn

Estate planning lawyer

Paul Allen Kraft headshot
Paul Kraft

Estate planning lawyer

Ira Robert Baker headshot
Ira Baker

Speeding and traffic ticket lawyer

Carl D. Shaw headshot
Carl Shaw

Personal injury lawyer

James Michael Baker headshot
James Baker

Litigation lawyer

Cheryl K. David headshot
Cheryl David

Estate planning lawyer

Syd Phillips headshot
Syd Phillips

Employment and labor lawyer

Experience

Rating:  9.9 (Superb)

Honors

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

Work Experience

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

Associations

1997 - Present

American Academy of Estate Planning Attorneys

Fellow

1994 - Present

Texas Board of Architectural Examiners

Registered Interior Designer

1987 - Present

Houston Bar Association

Member

1987 - Present

State Bar of Texas

Member

1985 - Present

Houston Association of Realtors

Member

1982 - Present

Texas Board of Architectural Examiners

Registered Architect

1980 - Present

National Council Architectural Registration Boards

Member

1979 - Present

Texas Real Estate Commission

Licensed Real Estate Broker

Sample of Legal Cases

$4.5 Million Dollar Verdict

Jury found for the plaintiff/physician and awarded $4.5 million

See More Legal Cases

Education

1986

South Texas College of Law

JD - Juris Doctor

1977

University of Texas System, Austin

B. Arch

N/A

American Academy of Estate Planning Attorneys

36 Hrs./Year Estate Planning & Taxation Coursework

Speaking Engagements

2011

Wheatstone Investing, Retirement, & Estate Planning

Estate Planning

2009

Legal Issues for Texas Architects & Landscape Architects

Texas Rules of Professional Conduct

2008

Practicing Architecture in Texas

Texas Rules of Professional Conduct

Publications

2006

Eagle Publishing Company of BOCA Guiding Those Left Behind

2004

Unknown Total Wealth Management

2002

Quantum Press LLC Love, Money & Control

2002

Quantum Press LLC Strictly Business

1993

Unknown Recent Decisions in Admiralty Law

1991

Unknown Recent Court Decisions in Admiralty Law

1985

Unknown Negligent Infliction of Mental Distress Upon A Bystander In Texas

Languages

English

Activity

Avvo Rating

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  • Experience & background Years licensed, work experience, education
  • Legal community recognition Peer endorsements, associations, awards
  • Legal thought leadership Publications, speaking engagements
  • Discipline Disciplinary information may not be comprehensive, or updated. We recommend that you always check a lawyer's disciplinary status with their respective state bar association before hiring them.
Avvo Rating Levels
10.0 - 9.0 Superb8.9 - 8.0 Excellent7.9 - 7.0 Very Good6.9 - 6.0 Good5.9 - 5.0 Average4.9 - 4.0 Concern3.9 - 3.0 Caution2.9 - 2.0 Strong Caution1.9 - 1.0 Extreme Caution