Houston partner S. Shawn Stephens was the subject of a recent Houston Chronicle profile describing her role as chair of the Houston Ballet Guild’s Nutcracker Market. The profile follows:
“Years ago, Royden Oaks resident S. Shawn Stephens had to decide between a career in dance or law. Now she supports the Houston Ballet with volunteer work while she leads the appellate practice of the Houston office of Baker & Hostetler, 1000 Louisiana.
‘While in law school at the South Texas College of Law, I would go to the Houston Ballet and take classes,’ Stephens said. ‘I never lost my appetite for dance, and it allowed me the opportunity to continue dancing. Supporting the arts has always been very important to my family.’
In accepting the chair of the Houston Ballet Guild’s Nutcracker Market, she has devoted two years of volunteer work amid her busy schedule as a lawyer and a mother to 9-year-old Shelby... ‘When I was asked to chair this event, I thought how important it is to the economic health of the Houston Ballet, and so I really wanted to do it,’ Stephens said. ‘Fortunately, I don’t require a lot of sleep and am used to going to bed at 3 am…’
More than 85,000 people are expected to come through the doors and spend more than $13 million from the more than 325 vendors. The effort requires the work of more than 500 volunteers. Stephens said they are ahead in underwriting goals this year and hope to net $2.5 million for the Houston Ballet.
Combining community service with her law career has always been important to Stephens. She currently serves on the board of the Houston Museum of Natural Science, and as a member of the board of the Texas Supreme Court Historical Society. She is an active member of the board of the South Texas College of Law and the president of the South Texas College of Law Alumni committee...
She has held many leadership positions in professional and legal associations, including serving as president of the Texas Association of Trial and Appellate Specialists. Her practice involves state and federal appeals in civil and commercial cases, representing cases up to the U.S. Supreme Court.”