Representative Matters

Settled a fraud and RICO dispute on behalf of a small gas marketing company in a case brought by the majority owner of a gas trading company. Plaintiff originally sought in excess of $70 million in damages, alleging fraudulent gas trading and financial derivative transactions, but settled on very favorable terms for client prior to trial.

Represented the members of a business that developed innovative and proprietary offshore exploration technology in the divesture of the Company’s intellectual property to a supermajor oil company.

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 several individuals in the negotiation of fractional ownership and “jet-card” agreements

Acquisition of the assets of a regional oil and gas collection and transportation system.

Represented the purchaser of an Eclipse EA-500 jet aircraft for $850,000.

Represented client in the acquisition of 46 acres in Katy for $13.8 million.

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 an Arizona-based traffic solutions company in connection with $60 million equity raise through sale of preferred stock to major investment banking firm.

Represented an out-of-state manufacturer defending breach of contract claims asserted against it by former supplier in bench trial.

Represented the majority owner in a global horizontal drilling company in connection with the equity sale to the minority owners.

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.

Represented developer/purchaser in acquisition of large acreage tract in Harris County and negotiation of water and sewer service contracts to provide for water production plant, wastewater treatment plant, and related facilities to serve development of the tract.

Won a unanimous jury verdict for one of Houston’s oldest title Insurance Agencies in a dispute with its landlord for breaching an exclusive use clause in the client’s lease. After a week in trial, the jury awarded the client a judgment for its damages, including attorney’s fees.

Successfully defended both a no-evidence and a traditional motion for summary judgment moving to dismiss all claims filed by a mixed-use real estate developer against its former joint-venture partner.

Represented an affiliate entity of client in connection with the acquisition of 110 platted, but undeveloped lots located in Huffman, Harris County, Texas.