Roland “Rollie” Schafer

PARTNER

ROLLIE SCHAFER is a founding partner of Bonds Ellis Eppich Schafer Jones and has extensive experience representing small and mid-sized businesses in both transactional and adversarial matters.

Rollie’s career began with a primary focus in commercial litigation; however, as his career has evolved, he also uses his experience gained prosecuting and defending commercial disputes to help his clients negotiate and structure transactions in a manner so that they can avoid potential subsequent disputes, while still accomplishing their transactional goals.

Rollie has completed numerous asset sales, equity acquisitions and divestures, and commercial real estate transactions in industries ranging from manufacturing, oil and gas, as well as technology, and commercial ranching. He has further represented businesses in wide range of disputes, including complex contractual matters (breaches of representations and warranties), theft of trade secrets, fraud and other business torts.

Through his diverse experience Rollie has developed a reputation as an attorney who can effectively and efficiently counsel clients through complex transactions and disputes, including negotiating and closing deals and settlements, and when necessary, aggressively litigating matters in both state and federal court.

Prior to founding Bond Ellis Eppich Schafer Jones, Rollie began his legal career in the Dallas office of the international law firm, Jones Day; one of the largest law firms in the world. After five years of practice, Rollie and his family moved to Fort Worth and joined Shannon, Gracey, Ratliff & Miller, which at the time was one of the oldest Texas based firms.

Admissions & Certifications

  • State Bar of Texas (2006) U.S. District Court, Northern & Southern Districts of Texas
  • U.S. District Court for the Northern and Southern Districts of Texas

Professional Affiliations & Memberships

  • State Bar of Texas
  • Tarrant County Bar Association (Employment Law, Corporate Law, and Business Litigation (Section Chair 2016) Sections)

Honors & Recognitions

  • Texas Super Lawyer Rising Star (2016), Texas Monthly magazine (a Thomson Reuters service published in Texas Monthly)
  • Top Attorney, Fort Worth Magazine (2016 – 2020)
  • Top Attorney, 360 West Magazine (2017-2020)
  • 40 Under 40, Fort Worth Business Press (2014)
  • Leadership Fort Worth, Leading Edge (2012)

Education

  • Oklahoma City University School of Law (J.D., 2006, summa cum laude)
    • Hatton Sumners Scholar; Moot Court Finalists; William J. Holloway American Inn of Court
  • Trinity University (M.S.,1999)
  • University of Oklahoma (B.S., 1997)
    • Mary Anne Price Merit Scholarship Winner; Golden Key National Honor Society

Additional Affiliations

  • Camp Fire First Texas, Board of Directors (2014 – present)
  • Colonial Country Club (since 2008)
  • Charles Schwab Challenge, Plaid Council member (2015—present)

Personal

  • Rollie and his wife Jenny enjoy traveling with their two daughters. Rollie also enjoys playing golf and nearly any outdoor activity (biking, fishing, hiking, paddle boarding, etc.)

Representative Transactional Experience

  • Negotiated and closed the sale of a company’s intellectual property assets, consisting of multiple patents and trademarks. Prepare the asset purchase agreement, assignments, and necessary resolutions and consents.
  • Represented a client in its divesture of a 50%-member interest in a commercial ranching operation. Negotiated the terms of the sale and drafted the member interest purchase agreement and all supporting documents.
  • Formation and subsequent sale of a manufacturing company. Prepare all formation documents, company agreement, and employment contracts. Negotiate the terms of the equity sale and prepare the member interest purchase agreement and supporting documents.
  • Represent one of Fort Worth’s oldest family businesses in the divesture of its manufacturing company and associated real property. Pitch and negotiate with multiple potential buyers, and ultimately negotiate the final sale and contract terms.

  • Represent client in a transaction in which a minor member interest in a limited liability company was contributed to New Co, with the remaining majority interest being sold to New Co (seller to also receive a minority interest in New Co). Assist in the preparation and review of the member interest purchase agreement, assignments (member interest and IP), and supporting resolutions and consents.
  • Represent buyer in the negotiations and acquisition of a commercial roofing company.
  • Represent buyer in acquisition of the assets of an industrial tool manufacturer and distributor. Negotiate and prepare the asset purchase agreement, promissory notes (owner financed), and commercial lease.