Biography
Craig Clendenin’s practice involves arbitration and litigation in both state and federal trial and appellate courts throughout Texas. As a litigator, Craig has tried well over 150 jury trials to verdict in well over a dozen counties throughout Texas and in all United States Federal Districts in Texas. He represents individuals, corporations and business clients in claims focusing primarily on construction, real estate and finance on behalf of Owners, General Contractors and Subcontractors, but in his 36 years of trying cases, his trial and arbitration experience has involved matters ranging from failed business ventures to securities, personal injury, toxic tort, environmental, trucking, and general contract law.
Education
- South Texas College of Law – J.D., 1983
- University of Texas at Austin – B.A., 1980
Recognitions & Distinctions
- Best Lawyers in America- 2024 Commercial Litigation
- AV rated by Martindale-Hubbell peer review ratings, the highest rating possible.
- Board Certified in Civil Trial Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization since 1990.
- Named a Texas Super Lawyer in Construction Law for 2018 and 2019 by Thomson Reuters. Each year, no more than 5 percent of lawyers in the state are selected to receive this honor.
Representative Experience
- Successfully defended a general contractor in a jury trial in Jefferson County, Texas in which the Owner of a Beaumont Refinery had asserted a $15,000,000.00 claim for welding defects and delays against the general contractor. The Owner ultimately settled with the general contractor after three weeks of testimony before foregoing its claims and agreeing to pay the general contractor the majority of the general contractor’s $2,500,000.00 counterclaim.
- Successfully represented a subcontractor who provided materials for a wind farm in Cameron County, Texas against a general contractor. After a five day arbitration, the Panel rejected the general contractor’s claims for delays and defects and awarded COKINOS’ client the totality of its claim against the general contractor in an amount exceeding $2,000,000.00.
- Successfully represented MK Constructors in an arbitration claim against an Owner for non-payment of dirt work performed in Jefferson County, Texas in anticipation of construction of a residential subdivision. MK refused to perform any additional work until payment was made. In response, the Owner terminated the contract. MK filed a mechanic’s lien against the property in the amount of $978,000 and filed a claim. The Owner counter-sued for breach of contract, fraud, misrepresentation, and attorney’s fees. The Arbitration Panel determined the Owner was responsible for the first material breach of the contract and awarded MK over $1.3mm (including all attorney’s fees) and denied the Owner’s counterclaims in their entirety.
- Ronquillo / Rubenstein v. Tharpe, 2019 WL 3335480 (Tex. App. – Corpus Christi 2019, pet. dismd)(successfully defended a disparagement claim using Texas Anti-SLAPP statute with recovery of attorney’s fees on behalf of clients).
- Byrd Bros., Inc. v. Marsh Buggies, Inc., 2013 WL 6095844 (Tex. App. – Houston [14th Dist. 2013], pet. dsmd) (successfully represented a subcontractor on a bond claim against the general contractor and surety on a claim under the McGregor Act).
- Morrell Masonry Supply, Inc. v. Lupe’s Shenandoah Reserve, LLC, 363 S.W.3d 901 (Tex. App. – Beaumont 2012, no pet. (successfully overturned existing precedent regarding notice under the Texas Property Code, removing lien and recovering attorney’s fees for client).
- Sanders v. Herold, 217 S.W.3d 11 (Tex. App. – Houston [14th Dist.] 2006, pet den’d) (obtained summary judgment of parents being sued for failure to warn).
- Bill’s Dollar Store, Inc. v. Bean, 77 S.W.3d 367 (Tex. App. – Houston [14th Dist.] 2002, pet den’d) (obtained reversal and rendering of verdict against store owner in slip-and-fall matter).
- Sturges v. System Parking, Inc., 834 S.W.2d 472 (Tex. App. – Houston [14th Dist.] 1992, no pet.)(obtained a reversal of summary judgment in favor of parking facility owner, rendering judgment in favor of broker culminating in settlement).
Memberships & Affiliations
- State Bar of Texas
- Houston Bar Foundation
- Houston Bar Association
- Harris County Bar Association
Admissions
- State Bar of Texas
- United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit
- United States District Court: Eastern, Southern & Western Districts of Texas