Posts By: Chris Wielinski

Cokinos | Young is pleased to announce that the prestigious American Academy of Appellate Lawyers has invited Principal Dana Livingston to become a Fellow in the Academy. 

The American Academy of Appellate Lawyers was founded in 1990 to recognize outstanding appellate lawyers across the United States and promotes the improvement of appellate advocacy and the administration of the appellate courts. Academy membership is open only to a person who possesses a reputation of recognized distinction as an appellate lawyer. Academy membership is limited to 500 members in the United States.

Membership in the Academy is by invitation only.  Candidates for membership must be nominated and seconded by current Academy Fellows. Nominees are then evaluated by a thorough vetting process undertaken by judges, co-counsel, opposing counsel, fellows, and the Academy’s board of directors.

Dana will be inducted into the Academy during a ceremony at the Vanderbilt Hotel in Nashville, Tennessee this October.

About Cokinos | Young

Cokinos | Young has led Texas construction and real estate law for over three decades. And today, our 100+ dedicated professionals operate coast to coast and proudly handle all aspects of construction law for owner/developers, project managers, general contractors, design professionals, subcontractors, sureties, and lenders. We provide both dispute resolution and transactional services to clients through all phases of commercial, industrial, pipeline, offshore, civil, and residential construction. Our reputation was built on relentless commitment to client service and the industries we serve, and that remains our primary driver. Dedicated. Resilient. Expertise. That’s Cokinos | Young. Learn more at cokinoslaw.com.

We proudly congratulate our own, Stan Curry (San Antonio Principal) for being honored as a new inductee to the Baylor University Athletics 2023 Hall of Fame class that includes eight former student-athletes from six different sports.

A two-time Southwest Conference champion in the high jump, Stan broke a conference record that had stood for 12 years with his winning mark of 6-11 ½ at the 1968 outdoor meet. With that career-best mark, he is still 10^th on Baylor’s all-time performers list, just behind 2022 Hall of Famer Gary Kafer (7-0). 

Clearing 6-10 or better 20 times, including four of 6-11 or higher, Stan also won the Drake Relays high jump title in 1968 and Texas Relays in 1969. He won the U.S. Track & Field Federation Championship in 1968 and competed at the U.S. Olympic Trials that year in Lake Tahoe. Noteworthy, and unfortunately for Stan and the other high jump competitors that year, a guy named Dick Fosbury showed up to the Olympic Trials with a new jumping style tagged the “Fosbury Flop” that dominated the field and kept our man Stan out of the 1968 Olympics.

Organized in 1960, the Baylor Athletics Hall of Fame recognizes and honors individuals whose participation and contributions have enriched and strengthened the university’s athletics program. Student-athletes are required to wait 10 years after completing their eligibility before they can be nominated for the Hall of Fame.

Beginning with the inaugural 1960 class that included coach Floyd Crow and baseball’s Ted Lyons, 265 honorees have been elected or already enshrined in the Hall of Fame, while Chandler becomes the 32^nd addition to the Wall of Honor. The Hall of Fame and Wall of Honor recipients also will be honored on the field at McLane Stadium during the Baylor-Houston football game on Saturday, November 4, 2023.

The 2023 Hall of Fame banquet is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Friday, November 3, 2023, in the Cashion Building Banquet Room on the Baylor University campus. 

Congratulations, Stan, on this long overdue recognition….but we always knew you to be a Hall of Fame Champion, on the track or in the courtroom!

About Cokinos | Young

Cokinos | Young has led Texas construction and real estate law for over three decades. And today, our 100+ dedicated professionals operate coast to coast and proudly handle all aspects of construction law for owner/developers, project managers, general contractors, design professionals, subcontractors, sureties, and lenders. We provide both dispute resolution and transactional services to clients through all phases of commercial, industrial, pipeline, offshore, civil, and residential construction. Our reputation was built on relentless commitment to client service and the industries we serve, and that remains our primary driver. Dedicated. Resilient. Expertise. That’s Cokinos | Young. Learn more at cokinoslaw.com.

In 2000 Pat Wielinski published Insurance for Defective Construction with International Risk Management Institute (IRMI). Early editions of the book focused on commercial general liability (CGL) insurance coverage for construction defects, including evolution of the policy forms. They also detailed the raft of coverage litigation surrounding “occurrence,” “property damage” and “business risk” as applied to the property damage exclusions, describing the nationwide efforts of the construction industry to solidify the underwriting intent behind the policy. Subsequent editions have been expanded to update those developments and to include additional issues. The sixth edition continues that expansion with new discussions, including breach of contract exclusions, pros and cons of wrap-up programs, builders risk and subrogation, contractors professional liability, and pollution coverage as impacting insurance and risk management for construction defects. Along the way, Pat offers commentary, analysis and sometimes opinions drawn from over forty years of representing parties in construction coverage disputes and through risk management counseling. The new edition of Insurance for Defective Construction is available for subscription on IRMI.com, IRMI’s website. If you have any questions, please contact Pat at pwielinski@cokinoslaw.com or 817-635-3620.

About Cokinos | Young

Cokinos | Young has led Texas construction and real estate law for over three decades. And today, our 100+ dedicated professionals operate coast to coast and proudly handle all aspects of construction law for owner/developers, project managers, general contractors, design professionals, subcontractors, sureties, and lenders. We provide both dispute resolution and transactional services to clients through all phases of commercial, industrial, pipeline, offshore, civil, and residential construction. Our reputation was built on relentless commitment to client service and the industries we serve, and that remains our primary driver. Dedicated. Resilient. Expertise. That’s Cokinos | Young. Learn more at cokinoslaw.com.

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It is with great pleasure we announce that Houston Principal Parker Fauntleroy has been elected to the American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA), a national invitation-only organization of experienced trial lawyers and judges consisting of approximately 7,600 members in all 50 states. Being elected to this very select group is a great honor for a trial lawyer.

“We are thrilled to have Parker elected into ABOTA Membership and further our affiliation with this elite organization,” says Marc Young, also a member of ABOTA. “Parker’s skills and leadership will be an incredible asset to ABOTA as we strive to elevate the standards of integrity, honor and courtesy in the legal profession.”

​​Founded in 1958, ABOTA is a national association of experienced trial lawyers and judges. ABOTA and its members are dedicated to the preservation and promotion of the civil jury trial right provided by the Seventh Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. ABOTA membership consists of more than 7,600 lawyers—equally balanced between plaintiff and defense—and judges spread among 95 chapters in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. 

ABOTA is an invitation-only organization. Members must have at least five years of active experience as trial lawyers, have tried significant civil jury trials to conclusion and possess additional litigation experience. Parker has tried numerous significant cases to a verdict. Members must also exhibit the virtues of civility, integrity and professionalism by following ABOTA’s Code of Professionalism and Principles of Civility.

About Cokinos | Young
Cokinos | Young has led Texas construction and real estate law for over three decades. And today, our 100+ dedicated professionals operate coast to coast and proudly handle all aspects of construction law for owner/developers, project managers, general contractors, design professionals, subcontractors, sureties, and lenders. We provide both dispute resolution and transactional services to clients through all phases of commercial, industrial, pipeline, offshore, civil, and residential construction. Our reputation was built on relentless commitment to client service and the industries we serve, and that remains our primary driver. Dedicated. Resilient. Expertise. That’s Cokinos | Young. Learn more at cokinoslaw.com.

27 Named Best Lawyers in America; 30 Named Ones to Watch

Cokinos | Young is pleased to announce that 57 lawyers are included in the 2024 edition of The Best Lawyers in America^®. This year’s list recognizes 27 Cokinos | Young attorneys as Best Lawyers in America and 30 attorneys as Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in America.

Since it was first published in 1983, Best Lawyers has become universally regarded as the definitive guide to legal excellence.

Best Lawyers has earned the respect of the profession, the media, and the public as the most reliable, unbiased source of legal referrals. Its first international list was published in 2006 and since then has grown to provide lists in over 75 countries.

Cokinos | Young would like to congratulate the following lawyers named to 2024 The Best Lawyers in America list:

• Conor G. Bateman – Construction Law
• Travis M. Brown – Construction Law, Insurance Law, and Litigation – Insurance
• Craig H. Clendenin – Commercial Litigation
• Gregory M. Cokinos – Commercial Litigation, Construction Law, and Litigation – Construction
• Stephanie H. Cook – Commercial Litigation, Construction Law, and Litigation – Construction
• Stanley W. Curry – Commercial Litigation, Construction Law, and Litigation – Construction
• Jay K. Farwell – Commercial Litigation, Construction Law, and Litigation – Construction
• J. Parker Fauntleroy – Personal Injury Litigation – Defendants and Product Liability Litigation – Defendants
• W. Patrick Garner – Litigation – Construction
• Charles W. Getman – Construction Law and Litigation – Construction
• Anthony T. Golz – Appellate Practice
• John L. Grayson – Construction Law, Litigation – Construction, and Personal Injury Litigation – Defendants
• Gabriel S. Head – Construction Law and Litigation – Construction
• Michael B. Hiddemen – Commercial Litigation
• Philip M. Kinkaid – Real Estate Law
• Beau E. LeBlanc – Admiralty and Maritime Law, Commercial Litigation, Construction Law, and Litigation – Construction
• Dana Livingston – Appellate Practice
• Robert J. MacPherson – Construction Law and Litigation – Construction
• Shelly D. Masters – Commercial Litigation, Construction Law, and Litigation – Construction
• Stephanie L. O’Rourke – Commercial Litigation, Construction Law, and Litigation – Construction
• Craig E. Power – Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law and Litigation – Bankruptcy
• Darrell W. Taylor – Corporate Law
• Roger D. Townsend – Appellate Practice and Construction Law
• John C. Warren – Construction Law and Litigation – Construction
• Peter Boyd Wells IV – Construction Law and Personal Injury Litigation – Defendants
• Patrick J. Wielinski – Construction Law, Insurance Law, Litigation – Construction, and Litigation – Insurance
• Marc A. Young – Litigation – Construction

Cokinos | Young like to congratulate the following lawyers recognized in the 2024 edition of Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in America:

• Lauren S. Aldredge – Intellectual Property Law, Litigation – Intellectual Property, and Litigation – Labor and Employment
• Kathleen E. Barrett Madere – Commercial Litigation, Construction Law, and Litigation – Construction
• David A. Brooks – Corporate Law, Mergers and Acquisitions Law, and Real Estate Law
• Bianca Cedrone – Litigation – Construction and Personal Injury Litigation – Defendants
• E. Samuel Crecelius III – Commercial Litigation, Construction Law, and Insurance Law
• Jude K.A. Des Bordes – Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions – Defendants and Personal Injury Litigation – Defendants
• Roland P. Driscoll – Litigation – Construction
• Alec T. Dudley – Commercial Litigation and Litigation – Construction
• P. Costa Economides – Construction Law
• Reagan H. Gibbs III – Commercial Litigation, Construction Law, and Insurance Law
• Cody R. Graham – Commercial Litigation, Construction Law, and Litigation – Construction
• Blake E. Jones – Commercial Litigation and Construction Law
• Derek J. Kammerlocher – Construction Law, Corporate Law, Litigation – Construction, and Real Estate Law
• Allegra S. Lezak – Commercial Litigation, Construction Law, and Litigation – Construction
• Renee M. Mango – Construction Law and Insurance Law
• Kevin A. Moczygemba – Commercial Litigation and Construction Law
• Alfredo E. Montelongo – Construction Law and Litigation – Construction
• Laura K. Napoli-Janitens – Commercial Litigation, Construction Law, and Litigation – Construction
• Katie D. Nash – Corporate Law, Mergers and Acquisitions Law, and Real Estate Law
• Brian K. Pounds – Commercial Litigation and Construction Law
• Mitchell R. Powell – Commercial Litigation, Construction Law, Insurance Law, Litigation – Construction, and Personal Injury Litigation – Defendants
• Graham P. Quinn – Construction Law
• Branson K. Rogers – Commercial Litigation and Litigation – Construction
• R. Anderson Sessions – Construction Law
• Christian C. Trevino – Commercial Litigation, Construction Law, and Litigation – Construction
• Nicholl B. Wade – Construction Law and Litigation – Construction
• Joseph D. Walker – Construction Law and Litigation – Construction
• Josh J. Woods – Commercial Litigation, Construction Law, and Litigation – Construction
• Whitley B. Zachary – Construction Law, Litigation – Construction, and Personal Injury Litigation – Plaintiffs
• Kyle A. Zunker – Construction Law

2024 Best Lawyers in America

2024 Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in America

About Cokinos | Young

Cokinos | Young has led Texas construction and real estate law for over three decades. And today, our 100+ dedicated professionals operate coast to coast and proudly handle all aspects of construction law for owner/developers, project managers, general contractors, design professionals, subcontractors, sureties, and lenders. We provide both dispute resolution and transactional services to clients through all phases of commercial, industrial, pipeline, offshore, civil, and residential construction. Our reputation was built on relentless commitment to client service and the industries we serve, and that remains our primary driver. Dedicated. Resilient. Expertise. That’s Cokinos | Young. Learn more at cokinoslaw.com.

Led by the trial team of Matt Thompson, Gabriel S. Head, Russell W. Smith, and Laura K. Napoli-Janitens, Cokinos | Young secured an eight-figure award for its client, a pipeline contractor, and fully defeated an eight-figure counterclaim asserted by the owner, who was awarded nothing, in an arbitration involving the construction of a pipeline and associated facilities in Louisiana. Kyle A. Zunker and Alfredo E. Montelongo were also instrumental in the team’s success.

The case was a highly contested dispute with significant damages at issue, involving complex scheduling and productivity analyses and extensive pre-hearing and post-hearing briefing.

Matt Thompson and his team at Cokinos | Young provided us with excellent guidance, trial preparation, and advocacy as we pursued recovery of monies expended to fund the completion of a major project for which the owner refused to pay.  After many months of discovery and pre-hearing submissions, followed by 2 ½ weeks of arbitration hearings, Matt successfully prosecuted the claims.  Matt and his team at Cokinos | Young are hard-working, knowledgeable, and professional, and we are happy they are on our side.

-General Counsel for Pipeline Contractor

About Cokinos | Young

Cokinos | Young has led Texas construction and real estate law for over three decades. And today, our 100+ dedicated professionals operate coast to coast and proudly handle all aspects of construction law for owner/developers, project managers, general contractors, design professionals, subcontractors, sureties, and lenders. We provide both dispute resolution and transactional services to clients through all phases of commercial, industrial, pipeline, offshore, civil, and residential construction. Our reputation was built on relentless commitment to client service and the industries we serve, and that remains our primary driver. Dedicated. Resilient. Expertise. That’s Cokinos | Young. Learn more at cokinoslaw.com.

Parker Fauntleroy, Peter Wells and Kathleen Madere recently concluded a week long jury trial in Harris County wherein they defended a Houston-based construction company.  The plaintiff alleged she suffered severe injuries as a result of a motor vehicle accident with a company commercial motor vehicle, requiring neck fusion, back fusion and shoulder surgeries and incurring past medical bills of almost $1,000,000.  Plaintiff demanded the jury return a verdict of over $5,000,000.  After closing arguments, the jury returned a defense verdict in approximately 20 minutes and awarded the plaintiff no damages.

Congratulations on a great win for a deserving client.

About Cokinos | Young

Cokinos | Young has led Texas construction and real estate law for over three decades. And today, our 100+ dedicated professionals operate coast to coast and proudly handle all aspects of construction law for owner/developers, project managers, general contractors, design professionals, subcontractors, sureties, and lenders. We provide both dispute resolution and transactional services to clients through all phases of commercial, industrial, pipeline, offshore, civil, and residential construction. Our reputation was built on relentless commitment to client service and the industries we serve, and that remains our primary driver. Dedicated. Resilient. Expertise. That’s Cokinos | Young. Learn more at cokinoslaw.com.

Cokinos | Young has once again been ranked among the leading law firms in Chambers USA 2023 Guide. The trusted, independent legal industry referral guide has ranked the following attorneys:

• Gregory M. Cokinos (Construction Law in Texas)
• Dana Livingston (Litigation: Appellate in Texas)
• Robert J. MacPherson (Construction Law and Construction Mediation in New Jersey)
• Stephanie L. O’Rourke (Construction Law in Texas)
• Roger D. Townsend (Litigation: Appellate in Texas)
• John C. Warren (Construction Law in Texas)
• Patrick J. Wielinski (Construction & Insurance Law in Texas)

Gregory M. Cokinos has also been ranked as a Star individual. The “Star” ranking is given to lawyers with exceptional recommendations in their field.

Cokinos | Young as a firm is ranked a top law firm in the following categories:

• Construction (Texas)
• Insurance (Texas)
• Litigation: Appellate (Texas)

Chambers USA ranks the top attorneys and law firms across the United States. Rankings for individual attorneys in their practice area(s) are based on an evaluation of their legal knowledge and experience, ability, effectiveness, and client service. A law firm ranking relates to a department of the firm and the qualities of the ranked attorneys within that department. Factors and considerations are judged by interviews with those active in the market – mainly clients and other attorneys with whom they work – and by assessing the size, complexity, and significance of recent matters handled. You can learn more about Chambers USA here.

Construction Executive magazine has listed Cokinos | Young in its annual Top 50 Construction Law Firms™ rankings. Construction Executive ranked C|Y 4th among The Top 50 construction practices in the country, which appear in the magazine’s June 2023 issue.

“Our national recognition would not be possible without our clients who continuously trust in our construction team to handle the most complex of legal matters,” said Cokinos | Young President and CEO Gregory Cokinos. “I am incredibly proud of the firm and our attorneys who continue to get the recognition they deserve.”

“It is an honor to be once again recognized by Construction Executive as one of the leading law firms focused on the construction industry,” said Founding Principal Marc Young. “It is a testament to our firm’s wealth of collective knowledge. Our top-tier construction lawyers draw upon their diverse experiences and backgrounds, which gives us the advantage to continue raising the industry standard.”

Now in its 21st year of publication, Construction Executive is the leading trade magazine about the business of construction. In its June 2023 issue, CE published a comprehensive ranking of The Top 50 Construction Law Firms™. To determine the ranking, CE asked hundreds of US law firms with a construction practice to complete a survey. Data collected included: 1) 2022 revenues from the firm’s construction practice; 2) number of attorneys in the firm’s construction practice; 3) percentage of firm’s total revenues derived from its construction practice; 4) number of states in which the firm is licensed to practice; 5) year in which the construction practice was established; and 6) the number of AEC clients served during fiscal year 2022. The ranking was determined by an algorithm that weighted these factors in descending order of importance. For more information, contact surveys@magazinexperts.com.

About Cokinos | Young

Cokinos | Young has led Texas construction and real estate law for over three decades. And today, our 100+ dedicated professionals operate coast to coast and proudly handle all aspects of construction law for owner/developers, project managers, general contractors, design professionals, subcontractors, sureties, and lenders. We provide both dispute resolution and transactional services to clients through all phases of commercial, industrial, pipeline, offshore, civil, and residential construction. Our reputation was built on relentless commitment to client service and the industries we serve, and that remains our primary driver. Dedicated. Resilient. Expertise. That’s Cokinos | Young. Learn more at cokinoslaw.com.