Profile
Steven V. Walkowiak is a Co-Chair of the Video Games and Esports Group and a Litigation shareholder. Steve advises clients in the esports and video gaming space, both with respect to regulatory matters and privacy issues raised in this emerging and evolving market. He is involved in esports regulation and advises clients regarding video game disciplinary decisions, league training, employment, and anti-corruption policies. He has served as a consultant and esports legal advisor, working with parties throughout sports, media, and entertainment to navigate the complex and evolving esports legal landscape in issues as diverse as antitrust and employment, through media content licensing and intellectual property. He is also a member of both the Esports Bar Association and Video Game Bar Association.
Steve additionally represents a wide range of businesses and individuals from trial through appeal. He focuses on complex commercial litigation, product liability, and consumer fraud litigation representing clients in both state and federal court, and before FINRA arbitration panels. Steve has defended numerous medical device and industrial product claims as well as defended against class certification on behalf of numerous products. Steve has advised on various oil and gas matters. This includes the acquisition and development of a major, urban gas pipeline through Dallas/Ft. Worth, including the acquisition through eminent domain and condemnation proceedings land necessary to complete the development project. In addition, Steve routinely assists in defending antitrust and complex business litigation disputes, and has deep experience with respect to franchise terminations, franchise litigation, and securing emergency relief for franchisors. He has sought and obtained emergency orders on behalf of franchisors in both state and federal courts in order to protect the franchisor’s brand, and secure smooth reacquisition of products and premises.
Furthermore, Steve advises clients on critical issues pertaining to attorney-client privilege, with an emphasis on cross border privacy and privilege ramifications in the litigation and compliance spheres. He has been involved in international Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) internal investigations on behalf of clients, and developed compliance and privacy strategies for clients facing unique compliance and regulatory challenges. Steve advises clients with respect to eDiscovery and eRetention policies, and counsels clients relating to best practices with respect to electronic document retention and security, and electronic discovery.
Concentrations
- Commercial litigation
- Fiduciary litigation regarding officers and directors
- Litigation involving partners and shareholders
- Esports and esports Regulation
- Compliance
- Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA)
- Internal compliance and privacy review
- Intellectual property
- Represented business in trademark and trade dress litigation
- Product liability litigation and counseling
- Securities and shareholder litigation
- Financial services litigation
- Franchise litigation
Capabilities
Experience
- Advise client regarding compliance with international esports anti-corruption and anti-doping policies and develop a comprehensive training program to ensure maximum employee participation and understanding.
- Develop comprehensive esports team training and enforcement programs.
- Counsel clients regarding regulatory and compliance concerns.
- Advise clients regarding litigation and labor and employment issues.
- Representation of a new digital esports and content distribution platform from concept through launch, including talent acquisition, original content creation, and worldwide intellectual property concerns.
- Advise clients regarding unique privacy protections required in youth online gaming.
- Successful defense of multinational company in class action litigation wherein the entity was accused of violation of the sovereign labor laws of Afghanistan incident to the force deployment of United States Citizens as government contractors and sub-contractors.
- Achieved a finding of qualified governmental immunity and full dismissal for client accused of antitrust violations in the pharmaceutical industry.
- Negotiated settlements and workouts related to alleged failure of technology implementations, contract disputes, and licensing agreements.
- Defended against numerous claims of TUTSA violation, violation of non-competition and non-solicitation agreements, securing and defending against Temporary Restraining Orders and Injunctions both for and against major U.S. corporations.
- Prosecution and defense of small and large business disputes, including litigation involving defrauded limited partner, litigation involving landlord/tenant dispute, litigation involving breach of commission agreement, litigation involving officer and director, litigation involving ERISA, litigation involving age and sex discrimination.
- Defense of major technology manufacturer against product liability claims and related contract causes of action stemming from a worldwide recall and alleged dangerous condition of consumer product.
Recognition & Leadership
- Listed, The Best Lawyers in America, Commercial Litigation, 2021-2025
- Listed, Who's Who Legal: Sports & Gaming, 2020-2023
- Listed, Texas Lawyer, "Texas Trailblazer," 2019
- Listed, Super Lawyers magazine, Texas Super Lawyers, "Rising Stars," 2010 and 2017-2019
- Named, D Magazine, "Best Lawyers Under 40," 2018
- Guest Lecturer, Video Games & Esports, Texas A&M University, 2020-Present
- Associate Professor: Video Games and Esports – Miami University (Ohio), Fall 2022–Present
- Member, Video Game Bar Association
- Member, Esports Bar Association
- Member, Dallas Bar Association
- Member, American Bar Association
- Member, Dallas Summer Musicals Board of Directors, 2009-2019
- Member, Dallas Summer Musicals Associate Producers
- Chairman of the Board, 2007-2008
- President, 2006-2007
- Founding Member, 2005-2006
- Sustaining Life Fellow, Texas Bar Foundation
Credentials
- J.D., Southern Methodist University Dedman School of Law
- B.A., Boston College
- Texas
- U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas
- U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas
- U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas
- U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas
- District of Columbia