Representative Matters

Represented several Insurance Agencies in connection with their sale to both strategic and private equity buyers.

Represented a title company in defense of a claim under the Fair Labor Standards Act. The plaintiffs were assistant escrow officers claiming unpaid overtime. The case was settled on favorable terms to the client after minimal discovery and briefing on key legal issues.

Represented developer/purchaser of large acreage tract in Bexar County (San Antonio area) in acquisition and negotiation of development agreements with adjacent owners and San Antonio Water Systems (SAWS) for provision of utility service.

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.

Represented Better Bags, Inc. (a distributor of plastic bags used in the supermarket industry) in the sale of substantially all of its assets to Hercules Poly, Inc.

Represented Houston based commercial landscape service provider in the $15,000,000 equity sale to a private equity backed serial acquirer, along with the pre-closing Internal Revenue Code F-Reorganization of the Company

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 the buyer in the purchase of several tracts of land in Polk County, Texas. Responsible for the review of due diligence materials and surveys, drafting of corporate consents, closing statement and other closing documents, and handling the closing.

Won a unanimous arbitration award on behalf of a former senior executive officer and director of a privately held bank with over $1.0 billion in assets. Our client was sued by the bank in state district court for breach of fiduciary duty, misappropriation of trade secrets, and conversion following his resignation from the bank. In the state court proceeding, we successfully dissolved an ex parte restraining order and compelled the lawsuit to arbitration. In the arbitration, the bank sought over $20,000,000 in damages and we asserted counterclaims against the bank for tortious interference with contract and failure to pay wages. After a five day arbitration and significant post-hearing briefing, the three member arbitration panel ruled in favor of our client on all claims and awarded all damages sought pursuant to our counterclaims.

Represented client in creating a co-development arrangement for developing land in McKinney, Texas

Obtained judgment of more than $9 million on behalf of entrepreneurs related to the sale of their valve company to a New York-based private equity firm. After the sale, the buyer asserted indemnification claims against the entrepreneurs based on pre-sale representations allegedly made by the entrepreneurs. In doing so, the buyer sought to avoid paying the bulk of the purchase price for the entrepreneurs company. 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.

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.

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.

Represent homebuilders and developers in planning and drafting subdivision restrictions and related property owners association documents for master planned communities, including residential, commercial, multi-family and mixed-use components.

Represented various landlords and real estate developers in the negotiation of office and retail leases with national chains and local tenants.

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.