Stephen returned to his native Fort Worth after twelve years in Austin working for and representing the State of Texas. He served as Deputy Commissioner to Commissioner Toby Baker at the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, and as an Assistant Attorney General under Attorney General Greg Abbott. At Cantey Hanger, he advised clients on state and federal environmental, energy, government, and regulatory matters. From 2020 to 2021, he served as Chief of Staff for EPA Region 6 in Dallas,Texas.He currently serves as General Counsel for the Tarrant Regional Water District.