Stephanie Laird Tolson
Stephanie Laird Tolson
Partner
She/Her
“I am a problem solver. While I am ready and willing to try a case to a jury, my goal is to find the most reasonable resolution for each client’s needs.”

Stephanie Laird Tolson
Partner
She/Her
“I am a problem solver. While I am ready and willing to try a case to a jury, my goal is to find the most reasonable resolution for each client’s needs.”
About Stephanie
With more than three decades of experience, Stephanie focuses her practice on commercial litigation at the state and federal levels, in bankruptcy, and before appellate courts. She represents financial institutions in litigation involving commercial loans and construction companies and engineers in construction-defect and commercial litigation. Additionally, she serves as outside general counsel for a construction company.
Stephanie represents national lenders, credit card processing companies, floor plan lenders, loan servicers, and premium finance companies in litigation, bankruptcy, and restructuring matters. She regularly advises clients on adversary proceedings – including representing creditors in Chapter 7 and Chapter 11 bankruptcy. She also advises oil and gas companies, automotive and heavy equipment manufacturers, and individuals on these matters.
Areas of Focus
Experience
- Obtained a $0 judgment for an engineering firm, in a high-stakes lawsuit involving a faulty HVAC system at an assisted living facility, where the plaintiffs sought $82 million in damages. The Hinshaw legal team skillfully navigated the complexities of the case, effectively eliminating all direct claims against our client. We proceeded to trial on a cross-claim in collaboration with the building's architect, demonstrating the strength of our defense strategy.
Recognition
- Martindale-Hubbell, AV® Peer Review Rating
Credentials
Education
- Texas Tech University School of Law, JD, 1992
- Texas Tech University, BA, 1988
Bar Admissions
- Texas
Court Admissions
- US Supreme Court
- US Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit
- US District Court for the Eastern District of Texas
- US District Court for the Northern District of Texas
- US District Court for the Southern District of Texas
- US District Court for the Western District of Texas
- US Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of Texas
- US Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of Texas
- US Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Texas
- US Bankruptcy Court for the Western District of Texas
Thought Leadership
Presentations
- Co-Presenter, "Lender Liability – Handle with Care, Managing Your Way Through Special Assets," Risk Management Association (RMA) Gulf Coast Chapter, Webinar, April 10, 2024
- Co-Presenter, "Lessons from Lubbock — The Reagor Dykes Case," Hinshaw & Culbertson LLP, Virtual Event, September 19, 2023
- Co-Presenter, "Commercial – Tips to Avoid UCC Traps," 2023 Auto Finance Seminar: Driving Ahead: Auto Finance Insights from Industry Leaders, Hinshaw & Culbertson LLP, Chicago, Illinois, May 4, 2023
Events
- Stewart Spielman and Stephanie Tolson to Co-Present at a Risk Management Association Gulf Coast Chapter's Virtual Event on Navigating Lender Liability, Apr 10, 2024
- Lessons from Lubbock — The Reagor Dykes Case, Tuesday, September 19, 2023
- Driving Ahead: Auto Finance Insights from Industry Leaders, Thursday, May 4, 2023
- Stephanie Tolson to Speak at Driving Diversity In Law & Leadership Conference, Apr 27, 2022
Hinshaw Alert
Press Releases
Interests
A huge baseball fan, Stephanie is loyal to the Houston Astros.
Community/Civic Activities
- BARC Animal Shelter and Adoptions, Volunteer
- Houston Food Bank, Volunteer
- St. Thomas High School, Mom's Club; Baseball Team Mom; Tom's Moms, Member; St. Thomas Round-up, Volunteer
- Texas Tech Alumni Association
- State Bar of Texas, Pro Bono Program
- Women's Business Enterprise Alliance, Board of Directors, Former Member
Thought Leadership
Presentations
- Co-Presenter, "Lender Liability – Handle with Care, Managing Your Way Through Special Assets," Risk Management Association (RMA) Gulf Coast Chapter, Webinar, April 10, 2024
- Co-Presenter, "Lessons from Lubbock — The Reagor Dykes Case," Hinshaw & Culbertson LLP, Virtual Event, September 19, 2023
- Co-Presenter, "Commercial – Tips to Avoid UCC Traps," 2023 Auto Finance Seminar: Driving Ahead: Auto Finance Insights from Industry Leaders, Hinshaw & Culbertson LLP, Chicago, Illinois, May 4, 2023
Events
- Stewart Spielman and Stephanie Tolson to Co-Present at a Risk Management Association Gulf Coast Chapter's Virtual Event on Navigating Lender Liability, Apr 10, 2024
- Lessons from Lubbock — The Reagor Dykes Case, Tuesday, September 19, 2023
- Driving Ahead: Auto Finance Insights from Industry Leaders, Thursday, May 4, 2023
- Stephanie Tolson to Speak at Driving Diversity In Law & Leadership Conference, Apr 27, 2022
Hinshaw Alert
Press Releases
Stephanie 's Insights

Press Release
Aug 21, 2025
102 Hinshaw Lawyers Recognized in 2026 Editions of The Best Lawyers in America® and Ones to Watch™

Press Release
Sep 19, 2022
Stephanie Laird Tolson Elected to Southwest Association of Bank Counsel Board of Directors

Press Release
Dec 17, 2020
Hinshaw Bolsters Gulf Coast Presence with Two Houston Partners