small-logo
ProfessionalsCapabilitiesInsights & NewsCareersLocations
About UsAlumniOpportunity & InclusionPro BonoCorporate Social Responsibility
Stay Connected:
facebookinstagramlinkedintwitteryoutube
  1. Professionals

Stephanie D. Clouston

Partner

Dallas

+1 214-453-6562

Let's Connect

Email
vCard
LinkedIn
  • Full Bio PDFPDF
    • Email
    • LinkedIn
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    Share this page
  • Overview
  • Experience
  • Credentials
  • Insights & News

Stephanie is a skilled and seasoned litigator focusing on complex commercial litigation and government investigations, enforcement, and compliance. She has been recognized by Chambers USA and The Best Lawyers in America® for her commitment to delivering resolutions in courtrooms and before government and regulatory agencies on behalf of her clients.

Stephanie is a seasoned trial lawyer who has successfully represented clients in both federal and state courts across the U.S. in major bet-the-company commercial disputes, consumer class actions, and product liability and mass tort actions. She has secured victories for clients in commercial disputes pertaining to breach of contract, negligence, fraud, and non-compete and trade secrets. Stephanie has led several companies through product liability and mass tort litigation—from obtaining early resolutions including dismissals on through trial—involving claims of personal injury and wrongful death.

She also has experience appearing before governmental agencies, including the Federal Trade Commission, Federal Communications Commission, Department of Energy, various Attorneys General, and Consumer Product Safety Commission. She serves clients in highly regulated sectors, including telecommunications, energy and infrastructure, consumer products, and manufacturing.

Stephanie is a dynamic leader in the Center for Women in Law, promoting women in the legal field in both Texas and throughout the United States.

Key Matters

Some of the experience represented below may have been handled at a previous firm.

Commercial
  • Lead trial counsel in a hundreds of millions of dollars dispute for one of the world’s largest construction products companies
  • Lead trial counsel in defense of an actuarial consulting firm against a claim for actuarial malpractice and breach of contract by a former client.
  • Successfully utilized the “snap removal” strategy to remove and defend removal to federal court in multimillion-dollar wrongful death action.
Business Disputes
  • Lead counsel for Swedish manufacturing company in an iron fence manufacturing suit.
  • Lead counsel for computer software company in a software licensing dispute. Obtained summary judgment for software company, leading to successful dismissal of suit.
  • Won a challenge to personal jurisdiction in Texas state court on behalf of an Australian power company, resulting in dismissal and voiding of a default judgment that had previously awarded relief of approximately US$200 million.
  • Represented a large developer in defamation and business tort litigation and injunctive proceedings between former partners concerning a real estate development project that resulted in a positive settlement before trial.
Product Liability and Mass Tort Litigation
  • Lead counsel for large U.S. fence manufacturer and Swedish-related corporation in obtaining full summary judgment dismissal in wrongful death suit in Texas state district court.
  • National lead counsel for fireplace manufacturer in multiple cases across the U.S. alleging harm from glass front fireplaces.
  • National counsel for two major cell phone companies in cases across the U.S. alleging personal injury from exploding phones.
  • Lead counsel for a multinational conglomerate company and a manufacturing company in a Texas wrongful death suit.
  • Represented fireplace manufacturers nationwide in multiple products liability lawsuits involving alleged burn injuries due to contact with the glass front of clients’ fireplaces.
  • Represented a DFW-based manufacturer of HVAC and refrigeration products in claims involving defective component parts from a foreign supplier used in commercial refrigeration systems.
Consumer Class Actions
  • Serving as Texas liaison counsel for a luxury automobile importer in a number of class actions.
  • Obtained dismissal of a local exchange carrier in a putative class action alleging improper third-party billing practices, commonly referred to as “cramming.”
  • Assisted in the representation of a food producer and marketer in various class actions involving exposure to pesticides.
Intellectual Property
  • Represented a leading inmate telecommunications services provider in two patent infringement lawsuits brought by a competitor involving three-way calling and VoIP Obtained a transfer of the second lawsuit to the same venue as the first for consolidation of the matters.
  • Represented another prison telecommunications company in a jury trial alleging breach of a patent portfolio agreement that ended in a favorable settlement.
Technology, New Media, and Telecommunications
  • Served as lead trial and appellate counsel for a major wireless telecommunications provider in federal court on an issue of first impression involving 911 services liability. Obtained dismissal at the trial level and affirmance before the Fifth Circuit and U.S. Supreme Court on the basis that the client was entitled to 911 service provider immunity.
  • Obtained a ruling of first impression at the motion to dismiss stage for a major wireless telecommunications provider that the client was entitled to immunity under the Texas Health and Safety Code from claims related to the provision of E911 services and a dismissal of multimillion-dollar claims against the client.
  • Obtained a take-nothing dismissal on behalf of a major wireless communications provider in a Texas state court suit alleging dram shop liability and negligence involving the wrongful death of an employee.
  • Represented a preeminent telecommunications company in obtaining an injunction and favorable verdict on a market rental determination involving a significant telecommunications center.
  • Obtained summary judgment for a computer software client to enforce an end-user license agreement in Texas state court.
  • Represented a large telecommunications provider in various billing disputes with third-party billing aggregators.
Energy and Infrastructure
  • Prosecuted substantial damage claims against gas suppliers on behalf of a leading North American chemical
  • Obtained a favorable settlement in a Department of Energy investigation of alleged violations of the energy conservation standards for certain faucets sold by the client, a global leader in manufacturing and distribution of copper, brass, and plastic tubes, fittings, pipes, and valves.
  • Obtained the dismissal, before trial, of a non-manufacturing distributor of a gas valve from a Dallas suit involving a gas explosion that resulted in substantial personal injuries and a fatality.
  • Counseling clients on compliance with water and energy conservation standards and labeling requirements regulated by the Department of Energy and Federal Trade Commission.

  • Chambers USA—Ranked for Litigation: General Commercial – Texas (2018–2025)
  • The Legal 500 US—Recognized as a “Key Lawyer” for Dispute Resolution: Product Liability, Mass Tort and Class Action - Defense: Consumer Products (2024)
  • The Best Lawyers in America®—Recognized for Commercial Litigation (2021–2025)
  • D Magazine—Named to “Best Lawyers in Dallas” list (2016–2020; 2022–2025)
  • Super Lawyers—“Texas Super Lawyer” (2012–2024)
  • Lawdragon—“500 Leading Litigators in America” for Product Liability and Commercial Litigation (2024–2025)
  • Lawdragon—“500 Leading Lawyers in America” for Commercial Litigation (2024–2025)
  • Texas Monthly and Super Lawyers—“Texas Rising Star” (2006; 2009–2011)
  • Texas Monthly—“Top Women Lawyers in Texas” (2019–2022)

  • Litigation Counsel of America, Fellow (2009–2012)
  • Patrick E. Higginbotham Chapter of American Inns of Court, Barrister (1997–1999)
  • Clouston Family Political Science and Public Policy Faculty Fellowship, Co-Founder
  • North Dakota State Pre-Law Student Scholarship, Co-Founder
  • The Center for Women in Law, University of Texas School of Law, Circle of Leaders and Champion
  • The Center for Women in Law, Chair of the Development Committee
  • Annual Fundraising Committee for The Hockaday School for Girls, Member

Capabilities

Litigation/Trials
Commercial Litigation & Disputes
Product Liability & Mass Torts
Intellectual Property
Class Actions & Group Litigation
Energy
Technology, Media & Telecommunications

Key Matters

Some of the experience represented below may have been handled at a previous firm.

Commercial
  • Lead trial counsel in a hundreds of millions of dollars dispute for one of the world’s largest construction products companies
  • Lead trial counsel in defense of an actuarial consulting firm against a claim for actuarial malpractice and breach of contract by a former client.
  • Successfully utilized the “snap removal” strategy to remove and defend removal to federal court in multimillion-dollar wrongful death action.
Business Disputes
  • Lead counsel for Swedish manufacturing company in an iron fence manufacturing suit.
  • Lead counsel for computer software company in a software licensing dispute. Obtained summary judgment for software company, leading to successful dismissal of suit.
  • Won a challenge to personal jurisdiction in Texas state court on behalf of an Australian power company, resulting in dismissal and voiding of a default judgment that had previously awarded relief of approximately US$200 million.
  • Represented a large developer in defamation and business tort litigation and injunctive proceedings between former partners concerning a real estate development project that resulted in a positive settlement before trial.
Product Liability and Mass Tort Litigation
  • Lead counsel for large U.S. fence manufacturer and Swedish-related corporation in obtaining full summary judgment dismissal in wrongful death suit in Texas state district court.
  • National lead counsel for fireplace manufacturer in multiple cases across the U.S. alleging harm from glass front fireplaces.
  • National counsel for two major cell phone companies in cases across the U.S. alleging personal injury from exploding phones.
  • Lead counsel for a multinational conglomerate company and a manufacturing company in a Texas wrongful death suit.
  • Represented fireplace manufacturers nationwide in multiple products liability lawsuits involving alleged burn injuries due to contact with the glass front of clients’ fireplaces.
  • Represented a DFW-based manufacturer of HVAC and refrigeration products in claims involving defective component parts from a foreign supplier used in commercial refrigeration systems.
Consumer Class Actions
  • Serving as Texas liaison counsel for a luxury automobile importer in a number of class actions.
  • Obtained dismissal of a local exchange carrier in a putative class action alleging improper third-party billing practices, commonly referred to as “cramming.”
  • Assisted in the representation of a food producer and marketer in various class actions involving exposure to pesticides.
Intellectual Property
  • Represented a leading inmate telecommunications services provider in two patent infringement lawsuits brought by a competitor involving three-way calling and VoIP Obtained a transfer of the second lawsuit to the same venue as the first for consolidation of the matters.
  • Represented another prison telecommunications company in a jury trial alleging breach of a patent portfolio agreement that ended in a favorable settlement.
Technology, New Media, and Telecommunications
  • Served as lead trial and appellate counsel for a major wireless telecommunications provider in federal court on an issue of first impression involving 911 services liability. Obtained dismissal at the trial level and affirmance before the Fifth Circuit and U.S. Supreme Court on the basis that the client was entitled to 911 service provider immunity.
  • Obtained a ruling of first impression at the motion to dismiss stage for a major wireless telecommunications provider that the client was entitled to immunity under the Texas Health and Safety Code from claims related to the provision of E911 services and a dismissal of multimillion-dollar claims against the client.
  • Obtained a take-nothing dismissal on behalf of a major wireless communications provider in a Texas state court suit alleging dram shop liability and negligence involving the wrongful death of an employee.
  • Represented a preeminent telecommunications company in obtaining an injunction and favorable verdict on a market rental determination involving a significant telecommunications center.
  • Obtained summary judgment for a computer software client to enforce an end-user license agreement in Texas state court.
  • Represented a large telecommunications provider in various billing disputes with third-party billing aggregators.
Energy and Infrastructure
  • Prosecuted substantial damage claims against gas suppliers on behalf of a leading North American chemical
  • Obtained a favorable settlement in a Department of Energy investigation of alleged violations of the energy conservation standards for certain faucets sold by the client, a global leader in manufacturing and distribution of copper, brass, and plastic tubes, fittings, pipes, and valves.
  • Obtained the dismissal, before trial, of a non-manufacturing distributor of a gas valve from a Dallas suit involving a gas explosion that resulted in substantial personal injuries and a fatality.
  • Counseling clients on compliance with water and energy conservation standards and labeling requirements regulated by the Department of Energy and Federal Trade Commission.

Credentials

Education

Stephanie received her B.A., cum laude, from the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville in 1993. She received her J.D., cum laude, from Southern Methodist University in 1997.

    Admissions
    • Texas

    Related Insights & News

    • “Who’s In and Who’s Out? Determining the Proper Parties,” Dallas Women’s In-House Network, Speaker, May 16, 2018
    Recognitions

    Winston & Strawn Recognized in Chambers USA 2025

    June 5, 2025

    Recognitions
    Winston Attorneys Named to D Magazine’s 2025 Best Lawyers in Dallas List

    May 6, 2025

    Recognitions
    Winston Attorneys Featured on the 2025 Lawdragon 500 Leading Lawyers in America List

    January 14, 2025

    Recognitions
    Winston Attorneys Featured on the 2025 Lawdragon 500 Leading Litigators in America List

    September 6, 2024

    Recognitions

    Winston Attorneys Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America® 2025

    August 15, 2024

    Recognitions
    Winston & Strawn Recognized in The Legal 500 U.S. 2024

    June 12, 2024

    Recognitions
    Winston & Strawn Recognized in Chambers USA 2024

    June 6, 2024

    Recognitions

    Winston Attorneys Named to D Magazine’s 2024 Best Lawyers in Dallas List

    April 19, 2024

    Recognitions

    Winston Attorneys Featured on the 2024 Lawdragon 500 Leading Lawyers in America List

    January 12, 2024

    Pro Bono In Action
    Winston and Toyota Team Up to Support Veterans in Dallas

    November 15, 2023

    Recognitions
    Winston & Strawn Partners Recognized in 2024 Lawdragon 500 Leading Litigators in America

    September 8, 2023

    Recognitions
    Winston Attorneys Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America® 2024

    August 17, 2023

    View All Insights & News

    Capabilities

    Litigation/Trials
    Commercial Litigation & Disputes
    Product Liability & Mass Torts
    Intellectual Property
    Class Actions & Group Litigation
    Energy
    Technology, Media & Telecommunications
    Logo
    facebookinstagramlinkedintwitteryoutube

    Copyright © 2025. Winston & Strawn LLP

    AlumniCorporate Transparency Act Task ForceDEI Compliance Task ForceEqual Rights AmendmentLaw GlossaryThe Oval UpdateWinston MinutePrivacy PolicyCookie PolicyFraud & Scam AlertsNoticesSubscribeAttorney Advertising