Stephen

J. STEPHEN TOLAND

Steve has handled contested federal matters across the United States and argued jury trials in state courts across Texas, so he brings courtroom credibility, sharp instincts, and solid agency relationships to every matter. Whether he’s engaged to provide regulatory compliance advice, or lead a criminal defense response, Steve’s goal is always the same: protect his clients with clarity, confidence and determination to achieve the best results possible.

Steve’s practice and expertise includes:

  • Data Privacy/Data Compliance/Data Regulation
  • Data Breach Response
  • State and Federal Criminal Defense
  • White Collar Criminal Defense/Investigation
  • Crisis Management and Strategic Response
  • Parallel Criminal and Civil Proceedings
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HONORS AND CERTIFICATIONS

  • CIPP-US (Certified Information Privacy Professional) International Association of Privacy Professionals (IAPP)
  • Board Certified, Criminal Law, Texas Board of Legal Specialization, 2020
  • Texas Super Lawyers (2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024)
  • Best Lawyers in America Selection (2024, 2025) White Collar Criminal Defense
  • Fellow, Texas Bar Foundation, 2020
  • Top Attorney Austin, Austin Monthly Magazine, 2021, 2020, 2019
  • Federal Judicial Committee Appointee, Criminal Justice Acts Panel, U.S. District Court for Western District of Texas, Austin Division, July 2019 (Eight-year Judicial Appointment)
  • State Bar of Texas Appointment, District 9 Grievance Committee Member, 2022 — Present
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EDUCATION

Year - 2000

Year - 1998

Year - 1995

Year - 1994

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COURT ADMISSIONS

United States District Court for the Western District of Texas 

Southern District of Texas and Northern District of Texas

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BAR ADMISSION 

State Bar of Texas
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SPEAKING/ PUBLICATIONS

  • Speaker/Author, “Data Privacy for Health Apps & Wearables,” Data Privacy for Health 2024 U.S. Summit, Research 
  • Triangle Park, North Carolina, September 2024
  • Panel Speaker/Author, “Case Study: Managing a Data Breach,” Data Privacyfor Health 2024 U.S. Summit, Research 
  • Triangle Park, North Carolina, September 2024
  • Panelist, “Data Minimization: Smart Business Practice for Compliance,” Insight Session, LinkedIn Live, 2024
  • Panelist, “The Chevron Decision: Sea Change for the Privacy Regulatory Landscape,” Insight Session, LinkedIn Live, 2024
  • Author, “When Shared Profits Create Shared Liability: Two Dallas Software Company Founders Indicted on $70M
  •  Healthcare Fraud Charges,” The Texas Lawbook (February 13, 2024)
  • Author, “DOJ Guidance May Put Executives at Risk-WhatsApp with That?” The Texas Lawbook (July 25, 2023)
  • Speaker/Author, “Ethical Plea Negotiations,” CLE, Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers’ Association, Austin, Texas 2016
  • Speaker, “Supervised Release,” CLE, Federal Bench Bar, Waco, Texas 2016
  • Speaker/Author, “Plea Negotiations,” CLE, Austin Bar Association, Austin, Texas 2012
  • Speaker/Author, “Strategies for Legal Research on the Web-Finding Background Information,” Austin, Texas, 2008
  • Speaker, “Managing Discovery-Why E-Discovery Can Give You the Edge in Your Next Case,” Austin, Texas, 2008
  • Speaker/Author, “Criminal Litigation Case Management,” Austin Bar Association CLE, Austin, Texas 2004
  • Speaker/Author, “Basic Concepts in American Tort Law,” (In Spanish) Universidad Panamericana de Guadalajara, Guadalajara, 2002
  • Speaker/Author, “Advanced Legal Drafting,” Austin Bar Association CLE, Texas 2003
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CASES IN THE NEWS

  • “The Jeff Ward Show,” ESPN Radio, Featured Legal Analyst Nationally Syndicated Radio and Podcast, 2021 to Present
  • “Judge Overseeing Cases for Indicted APD Officers Recuses Herself in Four Cases,” KXAN News, April 2022
  • Heidi Broussard Murder: Magen Fieramusca Appears in Court,” Fox 26 Houston/Fox 7 Austin, Legal Commentator, March 2022
  • ‘Man Plead Guilty to Intoxication Manslaughter,” KXAN, November 25, 2021
  • “Deadly Shooting during Protest Reignites Gun Debate in Texas,” KXAN, Legal Commentator, July 27, 2020
  • “Supernatural Star has Retained Austin Defense Lawyer Steve Toland following Weekend Arrest,” TMZ, October 2019
  • “Woman Avoids Murder Conviction, Agrees to Lesser Charge in 2017 Fatal Shooting,” Austin American Statesmen, July 19, 2019
  • “Common Ground Documentary,” Legal Commentator, June 2018
  • “Cedar Park Police ID Second Driver Possibly Involved in Crash that Killed 2 Children,” Legal Commentator, January 2018 
  • “The Plot to Kill King: The Truth Behind the Assassination of Martin Luther King Jr.,” Dr. William F. Pepper, Esq., Legal Commentator, 2016
  • “Hernan Garcia-Segura Plead Guilty to Misdemeanor in Fatal Tanker Crash, Fire,” Austin American Statesmen, Nov. 22, 2013
  • “Undercover Operation Nets Men Accused of Agreeing to Rob Drug Houses,” Austin American Statesmen, Sept. 1, 2012
  • “Trial for ’92 Slaying to Rehash Nightmare Austinite Can’t Forget,” Austin American Statesman, March 28, 2011
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REPORTED CASES

  • In re State, 65 S. W. 3d 383 (Tex.App.-Tyler Jan. 23, 2003).
  • Texas Dept. of Transportation v. City of Sunset Valley, 92 S.W. 3d 540 (Tex.App-Austin 2002, no pet.).
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TEACHING/ GUEST LECTURER

  • “Federal Criminal Law Seminar-Plea Agreements and Sentencing,” University of Texas School of Law, Fall 2021
  • “Lawyer Formation: Leadership and Professionalism in the Practice of Law,” St. Mary’s School of Law, Spring 2018-2020
  • “Basic Concepts in American Tort Law” (In Spanish), Universidad Panamericana de Guadalajara, Guadalajara, MX, 2002
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PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS

  • Board Member, C-12 Austin Panel, 2008 to Present
  • President, St. Mary’s School of Law Austin Alumni Association, 2012 to 2021
  • Board Member, St. Mary’s School of Law Alumni Association, 2012 to 2021
  • National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, 2001 to Present
  • Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers Association, Justice Committee, 2004 to Present Austin Bar Association, 2001 to Present
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COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT

  • La Refineria (non-profit men’s ministry), President, Board Member & Founder, 2015 to 2022
  • Leadership Austin, Emerge Program, Fall 2007
  • Austin Kiwanis Club, Board of Directors, (2001 to 2011) and President (2004 to 2005)