Overview
Craig A. Stanfield is a Houston-based trial lawyer in the Complex Litigation & Arbitration practice.
He litigates commercial, product liability, environmental, construction and insurance recovery cases throughout the United States. Although he advocates for early, efficient case resolution when possible, Craig takes cases to trial when necessary and has first-chair experience at the state and federal levels, as well as before arbitration panels. Craig represents clients in the manufacturing, automotive, energy, construction, aviation, financial services, computer software and chemical industries, among others.
Craig’s appellate background positions him to earn favorable resolution on appeal for his clients. He has decades of experience litigating appeals in federal and state courts and has represented clients successfully on direct appeals and original proceedings. In his pro bono practice, Craig represents students and veterans in First Amendment litigation before courts at all levels, including the U.S. Supreme Court. Craig has also represented those seeking asylum due to government persecution in their home countries.
Craig views client relationships as long-term partnerships and has been recognized as a BTI Client Service All-Star. He develops an intimate understanding of his clients, their businesses, processes and products, providing effective guidance to avoid litigation where possible or preparing a compelling case if litigation and trial is necessary. Craig is particularly adept at handling disputes involving complex concepts, including engineering, scientific or commercial matters.
Craig served as a judicial clerk to Justice Wanda McKee Fowler (ret.) on the Texas Fourteenth Court of Appeals.
Accolades
- Texas Super Lawyer, “Super Lawyer” (2025)
- The Best Lawyers in America, “Best Lawyer” for Commercial Litigation (2022, 2023, 2025)
- The Best Lawyers in America, “Best Lawyer” for Litigation-Environmental (2022, 2023, 2025)
- Benchmark Litigation, “Future Star” (2015-25)
- BTI Consulting, “Client Service All-Star” (2023)
- Texas Lawyer, “Texas Trailblazer” (2020)
- Legal 500 US, Recommended in Energy, Environmental, Mass Tort, Product Liability, Class Action Defense (2016, 2019, 2023, 2024)
Education
- J.D., American University, cum laude
- B.A., Texas A&M University, magna cum laude
Representations
- A leading paper manufacturer at trial regarding a multibillion-dollar environmental dispute with local government.
- Lead trial counsel for an individual plaintiff in a breach of contract and fraud case.
- National trial counsel for a manufacturer in claims alleging losses related to construction projects from alleged product failures.
- Lead trial counsel for a policyholder plaintiff in a bad-faith lawsuit.
- Lead trial counsel for a paper manufacturer in a case regarding disputed change orders submitted during annual outage.
- Lead trial counsel for a leading automotive company in a theft of trade secret and fraud case.
- Lead trial counsel for a major international oil and gas company, as plaintiff, in a trademark infringement case.
- Arbitration for a midstream company in a commercial dispute regarding interpretation and application of joint venture agreements.
- Arbitration for a refiner in a dispute regarding damage to a new unit during startup.
- Arbitration for an international consulting firm in proceedings as claimant.
- A leading aircraft manufacturer in trial and appellate courts in multiple wrongful death suits arising out of aircraft accidents.
- An international automobile manufacturer in state and federal court on questions of fraud.
- A prime NASA contractor at trial and before appeals court in employment dispute.
- A nonprofit organization involving First Amendment protections of students and veterans.
*Matters may have been completed prior to joining Paul Hastings.