Representative Matters

Represents popular Houston restaurant group in various business disputes and employment matters.

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.

Represent national homebuilders in the negotiation and drafting of documents for the acquisition and development of undeveloped acreage and developed lots for master planned communities in the Houston, Dallas-Fort Worth, Austin and San Antonio market areas, including drafting and negotiation of contracts, easements, development and financing agreements, escrow and cost-sharing agreements for regional improvements between owners, and subdivision restrictions and property owners association formation.

Represented Managed Pressure Operations, a developer of next generation technology for offshore managed pressure drilling systems for the oil and gas industry with subsidiaries in Houston, Singapore, Jakarta and Dubai, in the reorganization of its capital structure, including a $15 million capital infusion by a private equity group and its later acquisition by an affiliate of Aker Solutions.

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 accounting firm in its divestment and acquisition of several businesses.

Won an arbitration award on behalf of a custom home builder against its customer for breaching the construction contract and wrongfully withholding draw payments. After a week-long arbitration hearing, the client was awarded its past due draws, attorney’s fees and arbitration costs.

Represented client in connection with the acquisition of approximately 500 acres in Montgomery County, Texas, and in connection with the subsequent sale of right-of-way frontage to a commercial developer. Transaction included negotiation of terms for a land swap with a municipality in connection with construction of new municipal facilities, as well as development and financing agreements with newly formed in-city municipal utility districts.

Represented a Houston-based software developer in capital formation and general contract negotiations.

Represented client in connection with the sale of approximately 262 acres to a residential subdivision developer. The transaction included the negotiation and drafting of access easements and of development agreements to ensure appropriate allocation of costs and responsibilities for completion of regional roadway, utility and drainage facilities serving the residential subdivision to be developed, and the client’s retained land to be developed for commercial uses. The subject property covers jurisdictions of two different municipalities (Conroe and Willis) and two separate in city municipal utility districts contributing to the water, wastewater, drainage and roadway facilities and improvements serving the intended development. In this regard, the transaction also included financing and development agreements with MUDs in the City of Willis and the City of Conroe.

Successfully represented a development company in an arbitration proceeding to remove a $500,000 mechanic’s lien recorded by a contractor against the property.

Successfully obtained voluntary dismissal with prejudice where plaintiffs dismissed all claims against clients (while all other parties remained in the case) after filing a motion for summary judgment defending a lawsuit for tortious interference, aiding and abetting torts, breach of fiduciary duty, misappropriation, and unfair competition on behalf of two startup companies

Transfer of ownership interests in multiple related entities and jointly owned ventures relating to various lines of business in settlement of disputes between the business’s owners.

Represented the owners of a horizontal boring business in partial recapitalization and debt restructure.

Represented a local entrepreneur in acquisition of a computer network management and consulting company.

Representation of a Texas-based 24-hour emergency medical care company in connection with a private equity investment by Austin Ventures and the development of joint ventures with non-profit hospital systems in San Antonio, Dallas Ft. Worth and Austin, Texas and Denver, Colorado for the development of 20+ micro-hospitals