EDUCATION

John earned his Master of Laws (LLM) in Litigation Management from Baylor University in 2020 and is one of less than 30 attorneys in the United States with this degree. He earned his Juris Doctor from Baylor University in 1990, and his B.B.A. from Baylor University in 1988.

SELECTED EXPERIENCES

Representing Plaintiffs:

• Multimillion-dollar settlement for business owner in legal malpractice claim against law firm regarding failure to advise regarding ERISA controlled group liability issues.
• Multimillion-dollar settlement within 30 days of notice for claim against decedent’s children in favor of decedent’s wife for continuing payments to wife pursuant to will.
• Confidential settlement for client against law firm for failure to disclose adverse impacts of purchase of life insurance policy as part of estate plan.
• Multimillion-dollar settlement for hotelier in claim against insurance company under commercial property policy for coverage and bad faith regarding hail and storm damages.
• $9.2 million arbitration award, including $2.9 million in punitive damages, against a trust company for mismanagement of client’s investment assets.
• Multimillion-dollar confidential settlement for property owners in gas balancing case in which unit operator failed to account to clients for more than 40 years of production attributable to their interest in the unit. 
• Multimillion-dollar settlement for investment banking firm in suit for breach of contract and fraud for fee earned by firm based on valuation of farm-in agreement obtained by firm for development of oil and gas properties.
• Multimillion-dollar settlement and buyout for minority shareholder in claims against majority shareholder and company directors for shareholder oppression and breach of fiduciary duty.
• Multiple verdicts and judgments in favor of the City of Houston against vendors for fraudulent billing and supply practices.
• Multimillion-dollar arbitration award within 60 days of filing on breach of warranty claim in favor of drilling company, requiring original equipment manufacturer to replace defective frac pumper and reimburse client for costs of arbitration.
• Judgment in favor of offshore drilling rig supplier in claim against exploration company for breach of contract regarding use of offshore rig.
• Multimillion-dollar settlement for recovery of president’s 40 percent share of corporation for remaining shareholders based on president’s breach of fiduciary duty and fraud.
• Confidential recovery for individual in claims against financial services company for breach of fiduciary duty and fraud.
• Confidential recovery for patient in claims against surgeon for medical malpractice arising out of eye surgery.
• Confidential recovery for patient’s minor children in wrongful death claims against doctor arising out of failure to diagnose heart attack.

Representing Defendants:

• Favorable settlement of FLSA overtime case against employer excluding current employees and reducing liability by multiples.
• Favorable verdict and judgment for international information technology company in claim by domestic information technology company for breach of contract.
• Verdict and judgment in favor of national manufacturer for trademark infringement claim.
• Take nothing judgment on wrongful foreclosure claim and recovery of approximately $1 million on deficiency counterclaim regarding foreclosure of commercial property.
• Verdict and judgment in favor of insurance carrier in claim by beneficiary alleging bad faith denial of medical benefits.
• Verdict and judgment in favor of insurance carrier in claim by insured alleging breach of medical benefits settlement agreement.
• Verdict and judgment in favor of national manufacturer in catastrophic injury claims by contractor’s employee.
• Verdict and judgment in favor of national environmental company in claim by telecommunications equipment supplier for breach of contract.
• Successful defense of medical professional against injunction and non-compete claims by professional practice group.
• Successful defense of national financial services company against class-action claims by employees alleging Title VII and wage and hour violations.

Appeals:

• Werner v. Colwell, 909 S.W.2d 866 (Tex. 1995) (personal injury; worker’s compensation; procedural).
• AON Properties, Inc. v. Riveraine Corp., 1999 WL 12739 (Tex. App.—Houston [14th Dist. 1999, writ denied) (limited partnership; fiduciary duty).
• Lexington Insurance Co. v. Buckingham Gate, Ltd, 993 S.W.2d 185 (Tex. App.-Corpus Christi 1999, writ denied) (insurance coverage; bad faith).
• In re Posadas USA, Inc., 100 S.W.3d 254 (Tex. App.—San Antonio 2001, orig. proceeding) (procedural; discovery mandamus).
• Texas Real Estate Holdings, Inc. v. Quach, 2002 WL 31429759 (Tex. App. – Houston [1st. Dist.] 2002) (personal injury; premises liability).
• In re Walkup, 122 S.W.3d 215 (Tex. App.—Houston [1st Dist.] 2003, orig. proceeding) (procedural; temporary restraining order).
• Universal Computer Systems, Inc. v. Dealer Solutions, LLC, 183 S.W.3d 741 (Tex. App.—Houston [1st Dist.] 2005, pet. denied) (arbitration award; standard of review; arbitrability).
• Clark v. Power Marketing Direct, Inc., 192 S.W.3d 796 (Tex. App.—Houston [1st Dist.] 2006, no pet.) (procedural; forum selection; venue).
• Sarofim v. Trust Co. of the West, 440 F.3d 213 (5th Cir. 2006) (arbitration award; breach of fiduciary duty).
• Curlett Family Ltd. Partnership, Ltd. v. Particle Drilling Technologies, Inc., 254 Fed. Appx. 320 (5th Cir. 2007) (contract interpretation).
• In re Shoreline Partners, LLC, 2008 WL 520650 (Tex. App.—Houston [1st Dist.] 2008, orig. proceeding) (procedural; service of process).
• In re O’Quinn, 355 S.W.3d 857 (Tex. App.—Houston [1st Dist.] 2011, orig. proceeding) (standing; claims against estate).
• Gauci v. Gauci, 471 S.W.3d 899 (Tex. App.—Houston [1st Dist.] 2015, no pet.) (guardianship; procedural; first impression).