Representative Matters

Defending oil and gas company in high-stakes litigation alleging damages in excess of $4.5 million and involving the alleged sale of off-spec material and counterclaims for unpaid crude oil

Won a unanimous jury verdict for an owner of a hotel against a large group customer who canceled a series of contracts claiming the hotel’s service has diminished. The customer preemptively sued the client. Counter-claims were filed on behalf of the client and, at trial, the customer’s claims were dismissed via directed verdict. The jury rendered a verdict in favor of the client finding that the customer breached the contracts.

Obtained a restraining order and, ultimately, a permanent injunction for copyright and trade dress infringement on behalf of the largest manufacturer of digital game feeder timers. Case brought against client’s former customer who was improperly selling an identical product at an industry trade show.

Won an arbitration award on behalf of two senior level employees of a manufacturing facility against their former employer due to the former employer’s failure to make profit sharing and bonus payments under two separate agreements. Counterclaims were asserted against our client. After a five day arbitration, the arbitration panel ruled in favor of our clients and awarded our clients all of the damages sought and attorneys fees.

Successfully obtained a temporary restraining order and, following a full evidentiary hearing, secured injunctive relief on behalf of a group of minority LLC owners challenging an attempt by the company’s board to improperly convert the company structure and dilute the minority owners’ interests

Defended clients operating a start-up oil field services company in a lawsuit brought by an established competitor alleging claims against our clients for misappropriation of trade secrets, breach fiduciary duty, and conspiracy and seeking to completely shut down our client’s business. After a six day temporary injunction trial, the lawsuit settled on terms that allowed our clients to continue their business in competition with former employer.

Successfully obtained voluntary dismissal with prejudice where plaintiffs dismissed all claims against clients (while all other parties remained in the case) after filing a motion for summary judgment defending a lawsuit for tortious interference, aiding and abetting torts, breach of fiduciary duty, misappropriation, and unfair competition on behalf of two startup companies

Represented a refinery service contractor in a multi-million dollar lawsuit involving claims arising out of the refinery’s refusal to pay for services and counterclaims by the refinery relating to alleged breaches of safety procedures. Within five months of filing lawsuit and shortly after the filing of a pre-discovery, summary judgment motion asserting immediate right to payment, the matter was successfully resolved.

Successfully defended a Texas-based drilling rig manufacturer in a lawsuit by a drilling rig purchaser. The purchaser claimed the manufacturer breached a rig construction contract and tortiously interfered with its contract with a drilling operator. The purchaser sought approximately $25 million for the cost of repairing the rig and lost profits. The case settled for a fraction of that amount on the eve of picking a jury.

Represented executive bankers in state court lawsuit asserting claims for violations of non-competition agreement and breach of fiduciary duty and related week-long arbitration before the American Arbitration Association in which over $15,000,000 in damages was in controversy.

Successfully obtained a preliminary injunction in federal court on behalf of a franchisor against a franchisee in a lawsuit involving claims for trademark infringement and franchise termination

Won a unanimous jury verdict of $1.3 million on behalf of two former partners of an accounting firm based on the accounting firm’s failure to pay amounts owed to the partners following their separation from the firm, including amounts owed to them for the repurchase of their shares of stock in the accounting firm.   The jury also unanimously rejected a counterclaim filed by the accounting firm in which the firm sought more than $750,000 in damages based on alleged breaches of non-compete provisions, confidentiality provisions, and buy-sell provisions of the partner’s employment agreements which would have required the former partners to pay the firm for any clients that left with the former partners.

Represented insurance agency and insurance executive in state court lawsuit asserting claims for malicious prosecution in excess of $5,000,000.

Represented health care system in South Texas in a lawsuit against former insurance agents for violations of the Texas Insurance Code, violations of the Texas Theft Liability Act, conversion, fraud, fraud by non-disclosure, negligent misrepresentation, and breach of contract.

Successfully obtained summary judgment on behalf of a software utilities and management company and its chief executive officer on breach of contract claim filed by two former employees. The former employees claimed they were owed approximately $360,000 based on an amendment to an original purchase agreement regarding the sale of a software program. Summary judgment was awarded when it was shown that the amendment lacked material terms and was unenforceable as a matter of law. Following summary judgment, the former employees settled their remaining claims on very favorable terms for our clients.

Successfully obtained a preliminary injunction in federal court on behalf of a franchisor against a franchisee in a lawsuit involving claims for trademark infringement and franchise termination