Representative Matters

Obtained summary judgment on behalf of a local retailer in a lawsuit filed by retailer’s former agent seeking recovery of commissions that agent claimed were not paid pursuant to the terms of written agreement. The matter concerned an interpretation of the agent’s duties and responsibilities under the commission agreement and Texas. The trial court ultimately granted summary judgment on all claims.

Represented a $250 million private equity fund, having a primary investment focus of mezzanine debt investments, in connection with the fund’s formation, capitalization and investments

Represented a national home builder in the acquisition of an approximately 80-acre tract of land in Harris County for development as a residential subdivision community, and negotiation of associated conveyance documents, land bank documents, development agreements with adjacent land developer, and financing and reimbursement agreements with the Municipal Utility District.

Successfully settled a theft of trade secrets case in which a former employee downloaded the entire contents of his former employer’s cloud-based information system to several different electronic devices just prior to giving notice of his resignation. In this dispute, former employee left a geosynthetic lining company to work for a competitor performing a substantially similar role in the same geographic region. Obtained a temporary restraining order and temporary injunction enjoining the former employee from using any of his former employer’s confidential information while working at the competitor. Through the pendency of the suit, conducted an electronic forensic review of the former employee’s electronic devices and cloud-based storage systems discovering evidence of spoliation. After a spoliation motion was filed, the matter was successfully resolved.

Won a unanimous jury verdict for a homeowner against a designer hired to provide interior design services. Although the client paid the designer for several decorative pieces, the designer failed to purchase the items and then refused to return our client’s money. The designer filed a counter-claim for the amount of money he alleged was still owed under the terms of the parties agreement. The jury rendered a verdict in favor of our client finding that the designer breached their agreement.

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

Lead counsel in connection with the sale of the company’s refined products brokerage business to BCG 

Representation of transportation authority on the drafting and negotiation of lease to local governmental corporation and related agreements of approximately 30 miles of rail-banked corridor for purposes of development of trail system.

Sale of a controlling interest in a utility construction and maintenance business to a public company in exchange for cash, notes and stock, negotiation of multiple post-closing amendments relating to purchase price adjustments and extension of payment terms, and resolution of post-closing disputes relating to payment of notes and restrictions on and value of stock issued in the transaction.

Represented a Norwegian-based electric submersible pump designer and manufacturer in connection with a substantial investment in such company by a Houston based private equity firm for the expansion of the business into the United States.

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.

Represented a National Drug Testing & DOT transportation compliance company in an aggressive acquisition (30) strategy to quickly increase its overall market share of the workplace safety solution and third-party administrator business in North America.

Represented the lender in the negotiation and financing of a Cessna 500

Won a summary judgment on behalf of an oil-field services company who was sued for allegedly misappropriating trade secrets from a competitor. When the client hired away the opposing side’s salesman it sued. Summary judgment was awarded when it was shown that the opposing side did not have a valid trade secret as a matter of law.

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 Blackline in connection with the acquisition of two propane storage terminals in Newington, New Hampshire and Providence, Rhode Island