Hospitality

Represented a Houston-based restaurant business in its reorganization and restructuring.

Represented a Houston-based hospitality business in its post-probate entity reorganization and restructuring.

Pursued claims on behalf of a Houston business owner for breach of an agreement for the sale of Houston bar. The purchaser failed to amend the name of the company, provide new bonds or financial security for the permits issued by the TABC, and transfer all TABC permits to the new entity as required by the purchase and sale agreement.

Won a summary judgment for a popular local restaurant in a lawsuit filed by a competing restaurant in the same shopping center. The plaintiff sued the client in an effort to shut down their operations claiming certain lease covenants were being violated. The competing restaurant alleged it was a third-party beneficiary to the client’s lease with the center’s landlord. After briefing the issues to the trial court a summary judgment was granted dismissing all of plaintiff’s claims within four months from the date the lawsuit was filed.

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.

Represented a restaurant and bar in defense of a claim under the Fair Labor Standards Act. The plaintiffs were former waitresses and bartenders claiming tip pool violations. The case was settled on favorable terms to the client after minimal discovery.

Won partial summary judgment on behalf of restaurateurs on a breach of fiduciary duty/usurpation of a valuable partnership opportunity and oppression claim filed by restaurateurs’ partners. Also won a motion for partial summary judgment declaring a “Right to Participate” clause contained in the Partnership’s Operating Amendment invalid.  Based on the alleged right to participate, the restaurateurs’ partners claimed to have an interest in a subsequent endeavor created and developed by the restaurateurs. Summary judgment was awarded when it was shown that the “Right to Participate” clause was invalid, and subsequently, the Court failed to find any breach of fiduciary duty or oppression on the part of the restaurateurs.  Ultimately, this summary judgment led to a favorable settlement of the entire dispute for our clients.

Registered trademarks on behalf of a successful barbeque restaurant, providing advice on how to best and most economically protect the restaurant’s dining, catering, and product brands.

Represented a global hospitality company in connection with multiple corporate and project financing involving hotels and resorts in North America and Western Europe.

Represented Freebirds World Burrito, a 19-unit fast casual restaurant chain, in connection with its sale to the Tavistock Group.

Represented a Texas-based fast casual restaurant chain in connection with structuring, formation and private placement of securities for expansion of chain in major cities in Texas.