Posts By: Chris Wielinski

Cokinos | Young Elects Three New Attorneys to Principal

Cokinos | Young is pleased to announce that Kyle Zunker (San Antonio), Lauren Aldredge (Austin) and Anderson Sessions (Dallas) have been promoted to Principal in recognition of their commitment to their clients and the Firm, hard work, and dedication to providing best-in-class service.

“It is an honor to welcome our 2023 class of Principals, each of whom brings a unique and specific skillset and expertise to the Firm and exemplifies the core values of our C|Y family,” said founding partner Gregory Cokinos. “We are extremely proud of each of them and are proud to promote great lawyers internally to continue to serve our clients at the highest level.”

“These lawyers are true leaders and have demonstrated an unwavering commitment to our clients, both qualities we hold in high regard at C|Y” said founding partner Marc Young. “We look forward to their continued contributions as Principals.”

Congratulations to Kyle, Lauren, and Anderson on reaching this significant career milestone!

Kyle A. Zunker focuses on construction law and civil appellate matters.  He has represented many different players in construction, including general contractors, subcontractors, material suppliers, engineers, and owners.  Kyle takes pride in persuasively articulating his client’s position and is driven by his passion to provide clients with common-sense solutions to complex problems.

Lauren S. Aldredge is an experienced trial lawyer with a wide breadth of knowledge in construction law, corporate law and intellectual property law. Lauren is licensed before the United States Patent and Trademark Office and counsels clients on a broad range of patent and trademark matters, including intellectual property portfolio management, brand protection and infringement litigation. As a trial lawyer, Lauren brings her experience and judgment to help clients obtain the best resolution of their issues. She focuses on representing clients in all phases of litigation, including mediation, trial, and appeals. She has represented a wide variety of clients, including public entities, commercial enterprises, employers, and insurance companies.

R. Anderson Sessions is a courtroom lawyer whose practice focuses on resolving a broad array of complex business disputes. As an experienced litigator, Anderson is able to deliver strategic legal solutions to clients in all aspects of the dispute resolution process. His practice focuses on defending and prosecuting high-stakes business disputes involving breaches of contract, common law and securities, fraud deceptive trade practices, employment disputes, trade-secret litigation, unfair competition and trademark litigation, shareholder and partnership disputes, commercial real estate disputes, oil & gas litigation and other business torts.

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 Strategically Adds Bailey & Bailey to Growing Team

Cokinos | Young is pleased to announce that the Bailey & Bailey, P.C. team has joined our San Antonio office. The addition of the Bailey & Bailey team marks an exciting milestone in our continued growth in key practice areas.

Johnathan Bailey will lead the firm’s government contracts practice and joins with Senior Counsel Chris Burwell and Associate Kristin Zachman. The Bailey & Bailey team has more than 50 years of combined experience and focuses on all aspects of contracting with federal, state, and local governmental entities, in a wide array of industries including construction, logistics, facilities maintenance, manufacturing, and large medical and IT services contracts. 

“Cokinos | Young continues to grow strategically in key practice areas and the addition of the Bailey & Bailey team furthers our continuous expansion,” said Stephanie O’Rourke, C|Y San Antonio office managing partner. “Johnathan is well-known across the industry for exceptional government contract counsel, guidance, and litigation. We are thrilled to welcome such a talented group of attorneys to our C|Y family and look forward to working with them.”

“By joining the Cokinos | Young team, we are able to expand our footprint and solidify our position as a leader in the industry,” said Johnathan Bailey, “We look forward to combining our expertise and continuing to provide superior service to our clients.”

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.

Marc Young Elected to ABOTA Membership

It is with great pleasure we announce that Austin Principal Marc Young 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 7,500 members in all 50 states.

​​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 7,300 lawyers—equally balanced between plaintiff and defense—and judges spread among 96 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. Marc has tried over 100 cases to a verdict. Members must also exhibit the virtues of civility, integrity and professionalism by following our Code of Professionalism and Principles of Civility.

Marc A. Young

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.

Employment Law Update: Austin Wage Theft Ordinance

Austin is primed to become the third city in Texas to adopt a Wage Theft Ordinance, following Houston in 2013 and El Paso in 2015. The Austin City Council, which passed a resolution at the beginning of the year ordering the city’s Office of Civil Rights (OCR) to develop a proposed Ordinance, is scheduled to consider OCR’s final proposed Ordinance during the Council’s meeting this Thursday, Dec. 1. OCR held a handful of public comment and discussion sessions over the past few months as it worked through draft proposals. Cokinos | Young attorneys Shannon Gatlin and Wilson Stoker, along with representatives of Associated General Contractors and Associated Builders & Contractors, attended these sessions to advocate on behalf of the construction industry and protect the interests of contractors. 

Cokinos | Young and industry representatives succeeded in securing some meaningful improvements to the version to be presented to the City Council. As a result of the efforts of industry advocates and Cokinos | Young, the Ordinance being presented for passage appears to strike a reasonable balance of protecting workers from wage theft while also insulating employers who run their businesses in a professional manner from unfounded claims or penalties.

The full draft of the Ordinance submitted to the City Council is available to review here. Some of the most noteworthy provisions are as follows:

  • Current definition of “wage theft” appears to require intentionally or knowingly failing to pay proper wages.
  • Current definition of “wage theft adjudication” does not include settlements reached in wage-and-hour disputes, decisions made by a private arbitrator, or court rulings that an employer violated the pay provisions of the federal Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). OCR has indicated, however, that the failure to include adverse FLSA rulings by a court was an oversight and the Ordinance is likely to be revised to include such rulings in this definition.
  • Enforcement of the Ordinance is to be spearheaded by a Wage Theft Coordinator, who will be hired as a full-time city employee. This Coordinator is authorized to promulgate rules and regulations to effectuate the Ordinance, with those rules and regulations subject to the standard notice-and-comment procedures of similar local government rules and regulations.
  • The Wage Theft Coordinator appears to only be authorized to investigate wage theft claims related to wages to be paid under a contract with the city, but also appears to have authority to refer any complaints (including those not involving city contracts) to “an appropriate investigative and enforcement authority” like the Texas Workforce Commission or U.S. Department of Labor.
  • Creates a publicly available Wage Theft Database identifying employers within Austin with a record of wage theft adjudication as determined under the Ordinance. Employers will receive written notice and 30 days from the sending of the notice to protest their proposed inclusion in the Database. If the finding of wage theft adjudication is found to be warranted and is not otherwise overturned, the employer shall remain on the Database for 5 years. Though not spelled out in the Ordinance, OCR indicated the Database will likely be made available online and possibly in Spanish and other languages in addition to English.
  • Complaints are encouraged – but not required – to include all of the following: (1) worker’s full name; (2) employer’s identity; (3) date(s) wages were earned; (4) date(s) wages were to be paid; (5) amount allegedly unpaid; (6) brief description of work performed; and (7) whether written demand for payment was sent to employer.
  • Employers in the Database are barred from obtaining contracts to perform work for the City of Austin and may also have any existing contracts with the city canceled. Employers declared ineligible for city contracts can seek reinstatement by applying to the Wage Theft Coordinator.
  • Retaliation against individuals for filing a complaint under the Ordinance is prohibited, with complaints investigated and employers penalized in the same manner as for complaints of wage theft under the Ordinance.

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 Nationally Ranked Tier 1 Law Firm in 2023 “Best Law Firms”

Cokinos | Young is pleased to announce that the firm has been ranked in the 2023 U.S. News & World Report and Best Lawyers®, “Best Law Firms” for the 13th consecutive year. Cokinos is listed nationally in 3 practice areas and regionally in 8 practice areas.

Firms included in the 2023 U.S. News – Best Lawyers® “Best Law Firms” list are recognized for professional excellence with persistently impressive ratings from clients and peers. Achieving a tiered ranking signals a unique combination of quality law practice and breadth of legal expertise.

To be eligible for a ranking, a firm must have one lawyer listed in The Best Lawyers in America, which recognizes the top four percent of practicing attorneys in the United States. Cokinos | Young has twenty lawyers listed in The Best Lawyers in America – Travis M. Brown, Gregory M. Cokinos, Stephanie H. Cook, J. Parker Fauntleroy, W. Patrick Garner, Charles Getman , John L. Grayson, Philip Kinkaid, Beau E. LeBlanc, Dana Livingston, Robert J. MacPherson, Shelly D. Masters, Stephanie L. O’Rourke, Darrell W. Taylor, Roger D. TownsendJohn C. Warren, Peter Boyd Wells IV, Patrick J. Wielinski. 

Ranked firms, presented in tiers, are listed on a national and/or metropolitan scale. Receiving a tier designation reflects the high level of respect a firm has earned among other leading lawyers and clients in the same communities and the same practice areas for their abilities, their professionalism and their integrity.

Cokinos Young, P.C. received the following rankings in the 2023 U.S. News – Best Lawyers® “Best Law Firms”:

  • National Tier 1
    • Litigation – Construction
  • National Tier 2
    • Appellate Practice
    • Construction Law
  • Regional Tier 1
    • Austin
      • Construction Law
    • Dallas/Fort Worth
      • Construction Law
      • Insurance Law
      • Litigation – Construction
    • Houston
      • Appellate Practice
      • Construction Law
      • Litigation – Construction
      • Personal Injury Litigation – Defendants
    • New Jersey
      • Litigation – Construction
    • San Antonio
      • Commercial Litigation
      • Construction Law
      • Litigation – Construction
  • Regional Tier 2
    • Austin
      • Appellate Practice
      • Litigation – Construction
    • Houston
      • Commercial Litigation
    • New Jersey
      • Construction Law
  • Regional Tier 3
    • Houston
      • Admiralty & Maritime Law
      • Corporate Law

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.

ABOUT “BEST LAW FIRMS”

The U.S. News – Best Lawyers® “Best Law Firms” rankings are based on a rigorous evaluation process that includes the collection of client and lawyer evaluations, peer review from leading attorneys in the field, and review of additional information provided by law firms as part of the formal submission process. To be eligible for a 2023 ranking, a law firm must have at least one lawyer recognized in the 13th edition of The Best Lawyers in America® list for that particular location and specialty.

ABOUT U.S. NEWS & WORLD REPORT

U.S. News & World Report is the global leader in quality rankings that empower people to make better, more informed decisions about important issues affecting their lives. A digital news and information company focused on Education, Health, Money, Travel, Cars and News, USNews.com provides consumer advice, rankings and analysis to serve people making complex decisions throughout all stages of life. More than 40 million people visit USNews.com each month for research and guidance. Founded in 1933, U.S. News is headquartered in Washington, D.C.

ABOUT BEST LAWYERS

Best Lawyers is the oldest and most respected lawyer ranking service in the world. For 40 years, Best Lawyers has assisted those in need of legal services to identify the lawyers best qualified to represent them in distant jurisdictions or unfamiliar specialties. Best Lawyers awards are published in leading local, regional and national publications across the globe.

Lawyers who are nominated for consideration are voted on by currently recognized Best Lawyers working in the same practice area and located in the same geographic region. Our awards and recognitions are based purely on the feedback we receive from these top lawyers. Those who receive high peer reviews undergo a thorough verification process to make sure they are currently still in private practice. Only then can these top lawyers be recognized by Best Lawyers.

Fifteen Super Lawyers® Recognized at Cokinos | Young; Gregory Cokinos Named On The Top 100 Texas & Houston Super Lawyers List

We are excited to announce that fifteen Cokinos | Young attorneys are recognized as 2022 Super Lawyers® and Gregory Cokinos is named on the Top 100 Super Lawyers® list for both Texas and Houston. This distinction is held by less than five percent of Texas lawyers and selections are made on a state-by-state basis.  Independent research consisting of an evaluation of 12 varying indicators of professional achievement combined with peer nominations and evaluations are employed to determine this accolade.

The full list of Super Lawyers will be published in:
– Texas Super Lawyers Magazine, in October 2022
– Texas Monthly, in October 2022
– Gregory Cokinos will be featured in The Top 100 Texas and Top 100 Houston lists

Our Super Lawyers include:

Austin:
Dana Livingston – Appellate; Featured in Super Lawyers Women’s Edition
M. Wilson Stoker – Employment & Labor
Marc A. Young – Construction Litigation

Dallas:
Travis M. Brown – Insurance Coverage
Patrick J. Wielinski – Insurance Coverage

Houston:
Gregory M. Cokinos – Construction Litigation; Top 100 List for Texas (13th Year) and Houston (16th Year)
J. Parker Fauntleroy – PI General: Defense
John L. Grayson – Construction Litigation
Robert J. Naudin, Jr. – Construction Litigation
Craig E. Power – Bankruptcy: Business
Russell W. Smith – Construction Litigation
Roger D. Townsend – Appellate
John C. Warren – Construction Litigation

San Antonio:
Gabriel S. Head – Construction Litigation
Stephanie L. O’Rourke – Construction Litigation; Featured in Super Lawyers Women’s Edition

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.

 2022 Top Woman Lawyer

Join us in congratulating San Antonio Principal, Stephanie O’Rourke for being named 2022 Top Woman Lawyer by the Texas Diversity Council.

In 2007, Stephanie opened our San Antonio office, where she joined the firm’s litigation practice group and continues to serve as managing partner. Stephanie served as the Chair of the Construction Law Section of the State Bar of Texas and is on the Executive Board for the Association of Builders and Contractors. While Stephanie is well-versed in many areas of construction law, she has a wealth of experience in litigation, and she is consistently asked to present at workshops and seminars regarding her expertise on contracts, liens, and bonds. Stephanie’s expertise in construction litigation has earned her recognition as a top-rated construction attorney from numerous publications and organizations such as Chambers and Partners, the highest achievement in the construction field, Best Lawyers, and Super Lawyers.

In 2022 she was recognized as Lawyer of the Year for Construction Litigation by Best Lawyers in America and named one of San Antonio’s Outstanding Women in Law in 2021 for Construction Litigation by S.A. Scene magazine. In 2019, she was named a Trademark Women of Distinction. Stephanie is Board Certified in Construction Law, Chair of the Texas Bar Construction Law Section, Chair of the Construction Law Foundation, recipient of the Outstanding Lawyer by the San Antonio Business Journal, Ranked by Chambers USA, Executive Board of Directors of ABC South Texas Chapter, Nominating Committee for the State Bar of Texas, Board of Directors for CFMA, AGC Consulting Contractors Council of America Educational Committee for AGC, and active leader in the ABC/AGC San Antonio Chapters.

Join us at the Texas Legal Diversity Summit on Sept. 27 as we honor the 2022 Top Woman Lawyers & Top General Counsels.

RSVP: https://bit.ly/3z8eNz6

Clarity at Last on the Texas Anti-Indemnity Act By Travis Brown

After a decade of silence from the courts, which questions have now been answered, and which still remain?

Travis Brown, Principal in our Dallas/Fort Worth Office, presented “Clarity at Last on the Texas Anti-Indemnity Act” to the Dallas Bar Association earlier this month. The presentation reviewed the current status and recent Texas developments in regard to indemnity clauses. Click the presentation below for access.

Travis M. Brown

33 Cokinos | Young Attorneys Honored in the 2023 Edition of Best Lawyers

20 Named Best Lawyers in America; 13 Named Ones to Watch

Cokinos | Young is pleased to announce that 33 lawyers are included in the 2023 edition of The Best Lawyers in America®. This year’s list recognizes 20 Cokinos | Young attorneys as Best Lawyers in America and 13 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. For the 2023 edition of The Best Lawyers in America, more than 12.2 million votes were analyzed to identify the top legal talent, as identified by their peers.

Cokinos | Young would like to congratulate the following lawyers named to 2023 The Best Lawyers in America list:

Cokinos | Young like to congratulate the following lawyers recognized in the 2023 edition of Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in America:

2023 Best Lawyers in America

2023 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.

Gregory Cokinos ’79 Receives Texas A&M University Distinguished Alumnus Award 2022

It is with great pleasure we announce our President and CEO, Gregory Cokinos, has been awarded the Texas A&M University Distinguished Alumnus Award 2022. The Distinguished Alumnus Award is the highest honor bestowed upon a former student of Texas A&M University. This honor has been awarded since 1962 to only 318 of Texas A&M’s more than 555,000 former students.

Gregory Cokinos TAMU Distinguished Alumni
Gregory accepts the Texas A&M University Distinguished Alumnus Award 2022

Presented jointly by the university and The Association of Former Students, this award recognizes Aggies who have achieved excellence in their chosen professions and made meaningful contributions to Texas A&M University and their local communities. The Distinguished Alumnus Award is reflective of Texas A&M University’s core values – Excellence, Integrity, Leadership, Loyalty, Respect and Selfless Service.

We are honored to call Gregory one of the founders of our Cokinos | Young Family and believe no one is more deserving of this award. Because of his leadership and dedication, these core values are reflected throughout the firm.

“The Cokinos family, starting with his Dad, General Mike Cokinos, started a family tradition of attendance at A&M that has become more than just a tradition, it is now a lifestyle…There is not a person you will ever meet that knows Gregory who is not aware of exactly where Gregory attended college. I can’t think of another person who is more deserving of the Distinguished Alumni Award than my good friend, Gregory Cokinos.”

Marc Young Founding Principal

“He is remarkable in every sense of the word. A tireless advocate, a fearless leader, a pillar of the Houston community, and very likely the proudest (and loudest) Former Student of Texas A&M University. His pride for the institution is unwavering and contagious. It is central to his being. He loves Texas A&M, and Texas A&M is lucky to have him.”

Russell Smith Principal

“Spend 5 minutes with Gregory and you quickly know his priorities in life are: 1. His family and his church and, 2. Texas A&M University…EVERYTHING about Texas A&M University; not just athletics, but academics to administration, the Dixie Chicken and everything in between. No detail about our university is too small for him to be interested in and, yes, brag about. The same love, dedication and commitment Gregory demonstrates toward his family and church are daily shown toward Texas A&M University in countless ways.”

John Grayson Principal

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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