Texans for Lawsuit Reform mourns the passage of Michael Stevens, our longtime colleague and a champion of civil justice reform.  Michael, who was a member of TLR’s Political Action Committee, passed away on May 25, 2008.

"We were blessed that Michael lent his incredible talent and energy to the cause of lawsuit reform in Texas," said TLR Chairman Richard Weekley.  “His support, innovative thinking and commitment have changed the face of Texas. He has been our friend and our ally and we will sorely miss him."

Michael was involved in Texans for Lawsuit Reform almost from the beginning.  He played a key role in the passage of Texas House Bill 4 and Proposition 12, bringing long-needed medical liability reform to Texas and assuring that even poor communities would have access to physicians and health care.

Michael led the development of more than $1 billion dollars of public or non-profit projects, including the Rice Lofts, the Hilton Americas Convention Hotel, the Houston Astros Minute Maid Park, and the Houston Texans Reliant Stadium, all of which contributed to the revitalization of Houston. 

Former Houston Mayor Bob Lanier said Saturday that Stevens was a “great and exceptionally smart man who did everything he could for his family, church and city.  We are all better off for the time he spent with us.”

In addition to lawsuit reform, Michael was committed to a wide range of volunteer projects to improve his community and the world.  He actively served on the Board of Directors/Trustees and Executive Committee of Baylor College of Medicine, the Greater Houston Partnership and the Governors Business Council, and the Board of Directors of the Memorial Hermann Foundation.  He also served as a Deacon at the Second Baptist Church in Houston.

Michael was recently appointed by Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst to the Sunset Advisory Commission, where he greatly anticipated making a lasting difference in our state government’s structure and efficiency.

He is survived by his wife Kim, his three grandchildren, Grace Noel MacKenzie, Anthony Michael MacKenzie and Kassidy Ann MacKenzie and his brother, Vance Stevens.