Representative Matters

Represented supplier of oilfield steel for use in the oil and gas industry in a lawsuit brought by a competitor alleging a former employee provided our client (his new employer) with confidential customer lists, vendor contact information and sales data owned by his former employer.

Obtained judgment of more than $9 million on behalf of entrepreneurs related to the sale of valve company to a New York-based private equity firm. After the sale, the buyer asserted indemnification claims against the entrepreneurs based on alleged pre-sale representations by which the buyer sought to avoid paying the bulk of the company purchase price. On competing summary judgment motions, the New York Supreme Court – Commercial Division rejected the buyer’s claims (including claims for fraud, breach of contract, indemnification, and set-off) and granted the entrepreneurs’ affirmative claims for breach of the various promissory notes at issue. The New York Court also awarded attorney’s fees to the entrepreneurs.

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

Defending IT/telecommunications client against claims for an alleged equity interest in a new business venture, as well as pursuing counterclaims for theft, breach of fiduciary duty, fraud, and misappropriation of funds

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.

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.

Defended against claims of breach of contract, unjust enrichment, and note acceleration over telecom store acquisition; defeated summary judgment and settled on favorable terms on the eve of trial

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

Won a bench trial for a manufacturing company against a national accountant placement agency. The client sued when it discovered that the controller it hired from the agency had a criminal record relating to theft by hot check. The agency refused to refund the placement fee. The verdict included a violation of the Texas Deceptive Trade Practices Act resulting in the client receiving a doubling of its damages and the recovery of attorney’s fees.

Represented a safety and compliance consulting company in high-exposure automobile death case filed by estate of decedent against multiple involved parties. Obtained a dismissal of the client from the lawsuit without payment of any damages.

Represented a world leader in premium insulation coatings against a former distributor based on claims for breach of a written distributor agreement, as well as claims for breach of oral agreements or, alternatively, quasi-contractual claims such as promissory estoppel and unjust enrichment. Following written discovery and depositions of the named parties, certain third-parties, and experts, both parties moved for summary judgment we moved on all of plaintiff’s claims and plaintiff moved solely on liability for its contractual claims. With the summary judgment motions pending, the matter settled on confidential terms.

Won a multi-million dollar arbitration award on behalf of the owners of a software company against an oilfield services company who purchased their company. The claims and recovery related to misrepresentations made during negotiations and execution of a stock purchase agreement. After 15 days of evidence, the three-member panel ruled unanimously in favor of our client.

Represented a former Enron executive in a preference action brought by the bankruptcy trustee. The trustee brought suit to recover a severance payment received just prior to the bankruptcy filing. The client also had claims against Enron and a non-bankrupt subsidiary. After discovery and substantive briefing before the Enron bankruptcy judge, a settlement was reached with the client agreeing to pay less than 18% of the amount the trustee was originally seeking to recover.

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.

After a full evidentiary hearing, successfully obtained a critical temporary injunction, and defeated competing requests for injunctive relief, in a business dispute involving allegations of improper transfer of company assets prior to client’s buyout of his business partner’s ownership interest

Represented group of employees in week-long arbitration seeking recovery of unpaid bonuses, commissions, and severance payments in which approximately $1,000,000 was in controversy.