Areas of Practice
Our firm represents and advises clients in a variety of practice areas. We counsel clients in an effort to avoid litigation, and represent clients, on both sides of the docket, at all levels of state and federal litigation, from the start of suit through appeal at the highest levels. In addition, our firm represents clients in arbitration and provides mediation services. Our lawyers are experienced in the following practice areas:
Business and Commercial Law
Our firm provides a wide range of services to our business clients, in assisting in the selection of the type of entity under which to operate, preparation of agreements and employee handbooks, sale and purchase of businesses, reviewing and negotiating contracts, obtaining financing and funding for business operations, employee relations, and dissolution.
Business and Commercial Litigation
When the need arises, we represent our clients in litigation disputes pertaining to commercial and business issues, contracts, warranties, Uniform Commercial Code issues, partnership disputes,construction disputes, Mechanics liens, breach of fiduciary duty, fraud, employment disputes, violations of non-compete and confidentiality agreements, and dissolution of business entities.
Consumer Law
Our firm has extensive experience in representing clients in consumer matters, including defense of claims made under the Texas Deceptive Trade Practices Act.
Corporation and Partnership Law
Our firm counsels its clients in selecting and forming entities appropriate for their needs and provides a full range of support services to assist our clients once those choices have been made to ensure that full legal compliance is continuously maintained.
Creditor Representation
Our firm has extensive experience in the representation of lenders and other creditors in the commercial context, including debt collection, work-outs, loan restructurings and judicial and non-judicial foreclosure.
Employment Law
Our firm serves as a necessary extension of a client's human resource department, providing a wide range of advice on all legal aspects of employment and labor relations.
False Claims Act Litigation
Our firm is experienced in representing relators, or "whistleblowers," in False Claims Act ("FCA") cases against companies and organizations that submit false claims to government agencies and programs for payment of government funds. The FCA imposes liability for treble damages and civil monetary penalties against wrongdoers responsible for false claims, and a successful whistleblower may receive up to 30% of the amount recovered for the government through the litigation.
Insurance Law
Our firm represents insurance companies, and their insureds, in a wide variety of matters, including coverage disputes, personal injury, product liability, construction defect, bad faith claims, professional malpractice, employment practices and real estate litigation.
Mediation
Our firm has four qualified mediators, all of whom have substantial litigation experience in various areas of the law, including, but not limited to business and commercial litigation, personal injury and employment disputes. One of our mediators is recognized as a Charter Member of the Texas Academy of Distinguished Neutrals.
Real Estate and Land Use
Our firm provides representation in complex real estate transactions, including purchase and sale, financing, construction, leases, closings and management. We are able to counsel clients on the appropriate choice of ownership entity in the real estate context and to assist in the formation of the selected entity. Fred Jones and Wayne Choate are Board Certified in Commercial Real Estate Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization.