I take understanding my clients’ businesses, problems, and goals very seriously. When clients come to me, we work together early on to determine what steps we need to take to address the problems and implement their objectives. I work hard to resolve the dispute as quickly and efficiently as possible, while also making sure we’re always ready to try cases. When we do we go to court, we usually prevail. I tell clients: “My job is to take this problem off your hands so you can do what you do best: manage your business successfully, provide good jobs, generate profits, and enhance your community."
Texas, 1989
United States Supreme Court, 2018
U.S District Court for the Northern District of Texas, 2015
U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas, 2014
U.S. Court of Appeals Federal Circuit, 2012
U.S. Court of Appeals 5th Circuit, 1990
U.S. District Court Southern District of Texas, 1990
Texas Association of Civil Trial & Appellate Specialists (2010-present)
Houston Bar Association, Litigation and Federal Practice Sections, Board of Directors (2012-2014)
Houston Bar Foundation (Life Fellow)
Texas Bar Foundation (Life Fellow)
Board of Advocates, Baylor University College of Arts and Sciences, 2009 to present.
National Steering Committee, Give Light! Campaign, Baylor University, 2017-present.
The University of Chicago Law School, J.D., 1989
Baylor University, B.A. with Honors in Economics, 1986
Top 50 Verdict of 2023, USA, TopVerdict
Top 20 Verdict of 2023, Texas, TopVerdict
Texas Super Lawyers, 2018-2024
Top Texas Verdicts, Texas Verdict Search, 2010
Board Certified in Civil Trial Law, Texas Board of Legal Specialization, 2010-present
Law Clerk to the Hon. Ricardo H. Hinojosa, U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas, 1989-1990.
Negotiated confidential, significant settlement for parents of college student who was fatally shot by private university police officer in an off-campus encounter. The case was the subject of two Texas Supreme Court opinions in 2017 and 2020. Redus v. University of the Incarnate Word
Stymied attempted dismissal of corporate officers and directors of publicly held company by majority shareholder, leading to successful arbitration against shareholder by the company. Reliability, Inc. v. Judos Trust, et al.
Co-counsel with Robert Burford in nine-day arbitration of derivative claims for one-third owners of a chain of Houston-area imaging centers. Obtained judgment confirming the arbitration award and awarding our clients over $7.4 million. Salim v. Cochinwala
Successfully defended general partner of real estate partnership against breach of fiduciary duty claims. Obtained summary judgment for client. Grand Peek Investment, LLC v. Zhang
Resolved Texas Securities Act claims for Chinese and Texas investors who lost their multimillion-dollar investments in a Houston-based technology company. Panton, Inc. Securities Litigation
Represented former CEO of publicly held life settlements company in litigation brought by bankruptcy trustee. Limited damages in jury verdict to a fraction of the amount sought and reduced jury verdict by half in post-trial motions. Resolved case while on appeal. Life Partners Holdings v. Pardo
Prosecuted shareholder oppression and fiduciary duty claims for the minority owner of a construction services company. During the prosecution of the case, the Texas Supreme Court sharply limited shareholder oppression actions. Successfully settled for most of the claimed damages, in excess of $3 million, on day before trial. Collins v. CAROL Crane
Obtained precedent-setting victory in trial court and on appeal barring derivative actions on behalf of nonprofit corporations against their officers and directors. Tran v. Hoang
Obtained $4.5 million judgment for a Texas consulting firm against DSME, a Korean ship builder. Client assisted DSME in obtaining contracts worth almost $700 million to build LNG carriers. Judgment affirmed on appeal. Ikanco v. Daewoo Shipbuilding and Marine Engineering
Obtained dismissal of mandamus action against Texas limited liability company in claims arising from $100 million investment. Dismissal was affirmed on appeal.
Obtained dismissal of multimillion-dollar claims by ex-spouse against estate arising from decedent’s ownership in construction services company. Plaintiff paid client’s attorney’s fees after appeal to resolve case on remand.
Obtained $1.4 million judgment for mortgage company against borrower who pocketed funds from Hurricane Ike insurance claim and failed to repair HUD-certified apartment project.