Representative Matters

Represented a Texas-based mezzanine financing fund in the corporate restructuring of its portfolio company which included amended senior and subordinated debt facilities and the purchase and financing of mobile servicing oil rigs.

Ongoing representation of local real estate entrepreneurs in formation and capitalization of $30 million pooled investment fund to acquire distressed income producing real properties.

Represented a start-up hydrocarbon remediation company in connection with its formation, capitalization and international legal structuring for the purpose of international commercialization of new remediation Technology.

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 manufacturer of frac and mud pumps utilized in the oilfield in breach of contract and fraudulent inducement action against company providing engineering and design support of equipment. Obtained a favorable settlement on behalf of client.

Representing Houston-based real estate developer in Texas state court action involving claims for breach of contract and declaratory judgment related to a retail anchor-tenant’s breach of its lease and the resulting delay in funding and construction of a sizeable mixed-use commercial retail development.

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.

Represented developer asserting claims against former business partners for misappropriation of funds and breach of contract.

Sale of a hazardous and non-hazardous chemicals and waste transportation business to a private equity controlled supply chain services company.

Won summary judgment dismissing a Texas Uniform Fraudulent Transfer Act suit filed against a Texas-based, public accounting and advisory services company in which the plaintiff alleged our client was the wrongful recipient of over $1.8 million worth of client information and company goodwill. Entire case dismissed on summary judgment.

Successfully defended a major oil and gas company against claims of tortious interference with prospective contractual relations in a case concerning a potential merger transaction. Plaintiff sought damages of approximately $65 million plus exemplary damages. However, after a week of trial plaintiffs settled for less than 5% of that amount with the client not responsible for paying any of the settlement amount.

Expansion of a cloud-based voice, internet and unified communication services provider through multiple acquisitions of regional VoIP service providers, including negotiation and simultaneous closing of an amended credit agreement to provide financing for the transactions, negotiation of buyout and freeze out transactions relating to minority interests in subsidiaries and satisfaction of outstanding warrants, and utilization of representations and warranty insurance to mitigate post transaction risk and provide added security for loan.

Represented developer in drafting of subdivision restrictions and related property owner association governance documents for mixed-use project in Frisco, Texas.

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.

Represented a California-based construction and retail real estate development, re-development, and renovation company in a multi-state dispute concerning the use of its name by a former shareholder. A resolution was obtained shortly after filing a lawsuit seeking a temporary restraining order, temporary injunction, and permanent injunction.

Represented affiliated seller entities in the sale of an industrial waste and environmental services business to a strategic buyer with rollover equity and other purchase price consideration in excess of $50 million through a series of complex transactions.