Jonathan’s practice focuses primarily on appeals and commercial litigation. He has extensive appellate experience, particularly before the Texas Supreme Court and other Texas Court of Appeal. His appellate practice includes traditional appellate briefing and oral advocacy, as well as pursuing and preparing preparing original proceedings to obtain mandamus relief, and amicus briefs of interested parties expressing policy concerns on significant legal questions.
Jonathan also routinely serves as appellate counsel before and during trials, assisting with the preparation of dispositive motions, legal briefing, jury charges, post-verdict motions, and trial advocacy.
With a background in oil and gas, real estate, employment, and other, he handles diverse cases involving claims for breach of contract, noncompete, trade secret, securities, corporate governance, and commercial torts.
Prior to joining Buck Keenan, Jonathan worked as an appellate associate at Wright Close & Barger, LLP in Houston and as a commercial litigation associate for Harris, Finley & Bogle, P.C. in Fort Worth. He also served as an intern for the Honorable Lee Yeakel, U.S. District Judge for the Western District of Texas while attending the University of Texas School of Law.
Outside of the office, Jonathan enjoys spending time with his wife and their children. His family are active in their local church, Bayou City Fellowship and are members at Club Westside. He is an avid Longhorn and DFW sports fan.
Selected Experience
- Obtained reversal from the Texas Supreme Court, who reinstated a summary judgment in favor of hydrocarbon exploration company in Chapter 95 case brought by injured lineman. SandRidge Energy, Inc. v. Barfield, 642 S.W.3d 560 (Tex. 2022).
- Obtained reversal and take-nothing judgment from Houston Court of Appeals in favor of manager and board member on securities and contract claims brought by purchasing member. Davis v. MSR Holdings, LLC, No. 01-22-00451-CV, 2024 WL 3237623, at *1 (Tex. App.—Houston [1st Dist.] June 28, 2024, no pet. h.).
- Obtained summary judgment, which was affirmed on appeal, for Section 1031 Exchange company on contract and fiduciary duty claims brought by real estate company. CC&T Enterprises, LLC v. Tex. 1031 Exch. Co., 673 S.W.3d 631, 634 (Tex. App.—San Antonio 2023, no pet.).
- Participated in trial and appellate proceedings related to confirmation of arbitration award in connection with determination of fair market value of seven industrial gas facilities located throughout the United States.
- Obtained take-nothing jury verdict and judgment in wrongful death case caused by contributory negligence.
- Obtained mandamus relief from Houston Court of Appeals, protecting FedEx Ground’s out-of-state manager from being haled to testify at Texas trial. In re FedEx Ground Package Sys., Inc., 609 S.W.3d 153, 156 (Tex. App.—Houston [14th Dist.] 2020, no pet.).
- Protected final judgment on appeal to both the Corpus Christi Court of Appeals and Texas Supreme Court that a divorce had been finalized before the ex-husband’s death. Vela v. Salas, No. 13-20-00424-CV, 2022 WL 2976444, at *1 (Tex. App.—Corpus Christi–Edinburg July 28, 2022, pet. denied).