Chris is a Senior Counsel in the Dallas office of Cokinos | Young, where his practice focuses on construction and commercial litigation. Prior to joining the firm, Chris represented general contractors, subcontractors, and sureties in construction and complex commercial litigation matters. He has experience handling all phases of litigation in state and federal courts, from initial pleadings and discovery through case strategy, motion practice, depositions, and trial or arbitration preparation.
Education
Southern Methodist University, Dedman School of Law – J.D., 2016
University of Oklahoma – B.A., 2013.
Memberships & Affiliations
Texas Bar Association: Construction Law Section
Dallas Bar Association: Construction Law Section
Admissions
State Bar of Texas
United States District Courts: Northern, Eastern, Southern, and Western Districts of Texas
Milo Bobbitt is an attorney in Cokinos | Young’s Dallas Office. Milo’s practice centers on construction litigation, high-stakes business and commercial disputes, intellectual property matters, and related appeals, including cases of first impression. He has litigated before federal and state courts across Texas and has handled appeals before the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals, the Supreme Court of Texas, and numerous intermediate appellate courts.
Milo earned his J.D. from Texas A&M University School of Law, where he competed nationally on alternative dispute resolution and moot court teams and externed for the Hon. Don R. Willett at the Supreme Court of Texas. He was inducted into the Order of Barristers as one of the top ten oral advocates in his graduating class and the third law student in Texas A&M University School of Law’s history to receive the Buck Weirus Spirit Award, the university’s highest student honor. Milo earned a bachelor’s degree in Political Science, with a minor in Communications, from Texas A&M University, where he competed on the undergraduate moot court team and served as a research assistant in the political science department.
Education
Texas A&M University School of Law – J.D., 2019
Texas A&M University – B.A. Political Science, Minor Communications, 2016
Recognitions & Distinctions
Named a Texas Super Lawyers® Rising Star in Appellate Law by Thomson Reuters (2024–2025)
The top 2.5% of attorneys in the state who are 40 or younger, or in practice for 10 years or less
Scene in SA: Best Lawyers in San Antonio (2024–2025)
Representative Experience
Served as second-chaired at jury trial representing property owners against commercial real estate developer, resulting in final judgment awarding clients approximately $3.4 million in damages and permanent injunctive relief.
Successfully moved for and obtained the early dismissal of healthcare software company from software developer’s Defend Trade Secrets Act and Federal Copyright claims in a federal lawsuit.
Secured favorable Texas Court of Appeals’ opinion reversing trial court’s order reforming oil and gas mineral deeds and awarding all attorneys’ fees incurred, saving the client more than $550,000.
Successfully moved for and obtained the early dismissal of individual partners from former employee’s breach of contract and Fair Labor Standards Act violation claims in federal lawsuit.
Secured $50,000 summary judgment, including an award of all attorneys’ fees incurred, for breach of promissory notes claim on behalf of professional sports agency in federal lawsuit.
Secured favorable Texas Court of Appeals’ opinion affirming a multi-million-dollar jury verdict in contract dispute, and then successfully defended the court of appeals’ opinion in the Supreme Court of Texas.
Presented oral argument before the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit on behalf of real estate developer in appeal involving the combined effect of recent substantive changes to federal takings jurisprudence and Texas state preclusion law.
Successfully negotiated favorable $75,000 settlement agreement, secured by a $100,000 agreed judgment to be entered if the defendants missed any settlement payments, on behalf of commercial holding company in commercial real estate dispute.
Drafted a petition for review filed with the Supreme Court of Texas on behalf of real estate developer that facilitated the settlement of multiple lawsuits and sale of client’s newly developed real estate property for $380,000.
Secured favorable Texas Court of Appeals’ opinion reversing trial court’s final judgment for failing to adhere to the text of the parties’ Rule 11 Settlement Agreement, saving the client approximately $385,000.
Drafted a petition for review filed with the Supreme Court of Texas on behalf of medical supply company that facilitated the client settling an approximately $4 million foreign default judgment entered against the client for $7,500.
Secured favorable Texas Court of Appeals’ opinion reversing trial court’s order finding client’s claims arising from partnership agreement were subject arbitration due to arbitration clause in separate contract.
Speaking Engagements & Presentations
Podcast Guest, “Overcoming Obstacles on the Path to Becoming an Appellate Lawyer,” Texas Appellate Law Podcast, Episode 147, 2025
Panelist, “Perspectives in Practice,” Texas A&M University School of Law, 2024
Jonah Fritz is an associate in Cokinos |Young’s Dallas Office. Jonah’s practice primarily focuses on construction, real estate, and commercial litigation. His experience includes litigating matters before federal and state courts in Texas, appeals to the Texas Supreme Court, as well as the American Arbitration Association. Growing up in a family of general contractors, Jonah developed a passion for understanding and working with construction and real estate development issues.
Jonah received his J.D. from Texas A&M School of Law in May of 2022, where he served on the Texas A&M Journal of Property Law. During his law school career, he had the opportunity to intern with the Honorable Chief Justice Bonnie Sudderth of the Texas 2nd Court of Appeals. Jonah’s interest in construction law deepened when he worked as a fall clerk at a large commercial construction & architectural company headquartered in Dallas, Texas. As an undergraduate at Texas A&M, Jonah majored in Political Science with a minor in Sociology.
Education
Texas A&M School of Law – J.D., cum laude, 2022
Texas A&M University – B.A. Political Science, 2019
Recognitions & Distinctions
Recognized in Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® in America for Construction Law, Litigation – Construction, and Real Estate Law (2026)
Representative Experience
Experience advising and navigating bid disputes with governmental entities.
State, Federal Court, and AAA Arbitration litigation experience representing General Contractors, Subcontractors, Commercial Owners, Commercial Tenants, Suppliers, and Homeowners.
Extensive experience filing and litigating Chapter 53 Lien and Bond Claims.
Experience dealing with experts and expert reports in construction defect and delay claim disputes.
Experience negotiating and drafting commercial construction contracts, including modifying AIA standard form contracts.
Experience advising commercial clients in preserving claims against defaulting owners and contractors.
Experience assisting commercial clients in pursuing claims for delays, unpaid base contract balance work, and unpaid change order work.
Experience in defending against construction defect and delay claims.
Experience in litigating design defect claims.
Experience in insurance coverage disputes.
Experience in assisting with appeals to the Texas Supreme Court.
Memberships & Affiliations
State Bar of Texas
Dallas County Bar Association
Construction Law Section
Dallas Young Lawyers Association
Tarrant County Bar Association
Construction Law Section
Tarrant County Young Lawyers Association
Admissions
State Bar of Texas (2022)
United States District Court: Eastern and Northern Districts of Texas
Michael has a broad background in public and private construction litigation, successfully representing general contractors, subcontractors, and homeowners in public and private construction projects. Additionally, Michael represents businesses and individuals in a wide variety of contract, real estate, business tort, product liability, and other tort related matters.
Michael has successfully litigated multi-million dollar jury trials, court trials and arbitrations attaining favorable results for clients in matters involving breach of contract, mechanic’s liens, construction delays, differing site conditions, construction/design defects, strict product liability, economic interference, product liability, and personal injury. Additionally, Michael’s practice focuses on contract negotiation and risk management to further his clients’ interests for cost efficient resolution.
Education
University of St. Thomas – J.D., 2013
Loyola Marymount University – B.A. Political Science, magna cum laude,2007
Recognitions & Distinctions
Named Rising Star by Southern California Super Lawyers 2024
Representative Experience
Representative Experience includes litigation counsel to both private and publicly traded companies, small businesses, and individuals, including:
First-chair trial counsel in complete defense jury verdict in a $7 Million claim against a general contractor.
Second-chair trial counsel in a $200 Million arbitration on behalf of a general contractor against a public entity.
First-chair trial counsel in successful arbitration award on behalf of general contractor against California public entity.
Lead counsel in successful mediations on behalf of contractors, small business, and individual clients
Memberships & Affiliations
Dallas Bar Association
American Bar Association
Los Angeles County Bar Association
German-American Business Association
Wilshire Bar Association
Engineering Contractors Association
Admissions
State Bar of California
State Bar of Texas
United States District Court: Central District of California
Tim’s practice focuses on insurance coverage, commercial litigation, and related appellate matters. He has experience litigating before federal and state courts in Texas and surrounding states, as well as on appeals to the Fifth and Tenth Circuits, Texas Supreme Court, and numerous immediate appellate courts in Texas.
Drawn to the rigorous Practice Court program at Baylor, Tim developed the advocacy skills that allowed him to make his first court appearance less than one week after he was sworn into the bar—winning an evidentiary argument on a critical piece of evidence and resulted in a favorable verdict for his client. Since then, Tim has represented clients as first and second chair and has taken cases to verdict in state and federal courts representing both plaintiffs and defendants. His appellate experience reinforces that appeals are won or lost at the trial court and Tim takes to heart Professor Gerald Powell’s advice that a good trial lawyer is a good record-smith. Whether it is forum battles, discovery disputes, dispositive motions, evidentiary issues, or the jury charge, Tim works tirelessly to position cases to ensure successful outcomes at the trial court and to defend those successes on appeal.
When he is not representing clients in the courtroom, Tim is in the classroom. Starting in 2024, Tim began working with UNT Dallas College of Law’s advocacy program. He organized and co-hosted UNT’s first appellate brief writing workshop where law students spent the day learning how to craft a compelling appellate brief—something one student called “the most valuable lesson he’s had in law school.” He has hosted the workshop every semester since. After the brief writing workshop is concluded, and the students have submitted their briefs, Tim then coaches moot court students competitions on how best to present oral argument at interscholastic competitions, where Tim’s students have a winning-record against the Ivy League.
Education
Baylor Law School – J.D., 2019
Texas Christian University – B.S. Political Science, 2015
Recognitions & Distinctions
Texas Bar Foundation Fellow
Dallas Association of Young Lawyers Leadership Class (2025)
Representative Experience
Appellate counsel for insurance company in appeal to the Fifth Circuit. Prepared portion of the brief on appeal addressing federal court jurisdiction and the voluntary-involuntary rule, resulting in opinion from the Fifth Circuit affirming the trial court’s denial of motion to remand and resolving a sharp split of authority among district courts in Texas regarding removal jurisdiction and the voluntary-involuntary rule.
Appellate counsel for Fortune 500 company related to trial court’s discovery order that included disclosure of company’s trade secrets without adequate protection. Motion for reconsideration, which was filed to bolster mandamus record, was granted, mooting need for appeal.
Lead appellate counsel in mandamus proceeding seeking review of the trial court’s denial of motion to quash corporate representative deposition. After the court of appeals requested a response, the plaintiff agreed to withdraw the notice of deposition and mandamus was dismissed as moot.
Appellate counsel for insurance company in appeal to the Fifth Circuit. Prepared brief and presented oral argument regarding application of intellectual property exclusion in insurance policy.
Second-chair in multi-day jury trial defending insurance company in suit involving claims of breach of contract, insurance bad faith, and deceptive trade practices and counterclaims of fraud and conversion stemming from insurance claim arising from residential fire. After less than two hours of deliberations, the jury returned a unanimous verdict in favor of insurance company on all claims.
Obtained favorable settlement on behalf of manufacturing company in dispute about damage to pumps used in a power plant despite the insurance company’s initial denial and repeated refusal to reconsider its position by identifying previously overlooked argument that doubled potential damages in litigation.
Speaking Engagements & Presentations
Appellate Brief Writing Workshop, UNT Dallas College of Law (hosted every semester since Fall 2024)
Publications
Author, From Chaos to Clarity: Procedural Misjoinder Revisited, The Review of Litigation, volume 45, University of Texas (Forthcoming Spring 2026)
Author, The Next Thirty Years: Developments in Mandamus Jurisprudence in the Last Thirty Years and Why the General Rule that Mandamus is Unavailable to Review the Denial of Summary Judgment is Inconsistent with Modern Mandamus Jurisprudence Under the In Re Prudential Balancing Test, 55 St. Mary’s L.J. 351 (April 2024)
Contributor, Noteworthy Cases, Following the Fifth (Forthcoming May 2026)
Co-Author, What is the Wayback Machine and How Can You Use it In Court?, Dallas Bar Association Headnotes (Aug. 2025)
Co-Author, The Role of Coverage Counsel in Tort Litigation, Dallas Bar Association Headnotes (Nov. 2024)
Memberships & Affiliations
State Bar of Texas
Appellate Section
Construction Section
Litigation Section
Insurance Section
Dallas Bar Association
Appellate Section
Construction Section
Professionalism Section
Tort & Insurance Practice Section
Trial Skills Section
Bench Bar Conference Committee (2024-present)
Dallas Association of Young Lawyers
Judiciary Committee, Member (2024-present), Co-Chair (2025-present)
DAYL Leadership Class Steering Committee, Member (2025)
American Bar Association
Litigation Section
Tort Trial & Insurance Practice Section
JD Appellate Judges Conference Section
Bar Association of the Federal Fifth Circuit
Civil & Administrative Law Committee (2025-present)
Texas Bar Foundation, Fellow (2025-present)
Admissions
State Bar of Texas
United States District Court: Northern, Southern, Eastern and Western Districts of Texas, Northern and Western District of Oklahoma, District of New Mexico, Western District of Tennessee
United States Courts of Appeals: Fifth and Tenth Circuits
Community Involvement
UNT Dallas College of Law, Adjunct Faculty (2024-present)
Renee Mango is an Associate in the Dallas office of Cokinos | Young. Renee’s practice focuses primarily on insurance coverage issues. She regularly provides insurance advice to clients in the construction industry as well as other industries.
This includes advising clients with insurance and indemnity provisions in contract documents to help manage and transfer risk and advising them in disputes with their insurance companies following a claim.
Renee assists in pursuit of defense and indemnity from additional insured carriers and has successfully obtained defense from additional insured carriers in cases.
She also provides assistance to businesses to help ensure that their insurer carries out its obligations under a wide range of insurance policies.
Education
Southern Methodist University, Dedman School of Law – J.D., 2021
Associate Managing Editor, International Law Review Association
University of Texas at Austin – B.A., 2017
Recognitions & Distinctions
Recognized in Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® in America for Construction Law, Corporate Law, and Insurance Law (2024–2026)
Memberships & Affiliations
Texas Bar Association
Construction Section
Insurance Section
Dallas Bar Association
Business Litigation
Construction Section
Tort & Insurance Practices Section
Trial Skills Section
Admissions
State Bar of Texas
United States District Courts: Northern and Eastern Districts of Texas
Derek J. Kammerlocher is a Principal in the Dallas office of Cokinos | Young. Derek has devoted his career and practice to advocating for clients in the construction industry, including developers, contractors, design professionals, material suppliers, and insurance companies involved in the construction process. Drawing on his industry knowledge and specific experience, Derek helps his clients achieve their dispute-resolution goals in payment, contract, defect, and insurance disputes, as well as in other areas that often affect the construction industry, such as employment and personal injury. Derek takes an individualized and tailored approach to each representation to ensure the satisfaction of each client’s specific goals.
Education
University of Texas School of Law – J.D., 2015
University of Texas at Austin – B.A. History, 2011
Recognitions & Distinctions
Recognized in Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® in America for Construction Law, Corporate Law, Litigation – Construction, and Real Estate Law (2023–2026)
Memberships & Affiliations
State Bar of Texas: Construction Law Section
Dallas Bar Association: Construction Law Section
State Bar of Texas
Admissions
State Bar of Texas (2015)
United States District Courts: Northern, Eastern, Southern, and Western Districts of Texas
United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit
Sam Crecelius is senior counsel in the Dallas office of Cokinos | Young. Sam’s practice focuses on insurance coverage and risk management, particularly representing clients in all phases of insurance coverage and contractual risk transfer disputes, fighting to secure the insurance coverage and indemnity his clients paid for. Sam is a decorated United States Army combat veteran, having served in Iraq from 2006 to 2007. Sam knows the value of hard work, discipline, and perseverance in the face of adversity, and he leverages his real-world experience for each client to obtain a favorable outcome. Sam has been married to his wife for 18 years. They have two sons, ages 17 and 10.
Education
Texas A&M University School of Law – J.D., summa cum laude, 2017
University of Dallas – B.A., 2002
Recognitions & Distinctions
Recognized in Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® in America for Commercial Litigation, Construction Law, and Insurance Law (2024–2026)
Representative Experience
Obtained favorable appraisal award for homeowner clients against their insurance carrier, with a net recovery by the clients of nearly $6 million, in addition to the recovery of attorneys’ fees and statutory interest on the claim amount.
Secured insurance coverage for oilfield operator client’s additional insurer on $9.5 million mediated settlement in dispute over the application of a pollution exclusion to bodily injury claims resulting from jobsite explosion.
Obtained funding from client’s personal lines and excess insurance carriers for $5 million settlement of wrongful death claims.
Secured insurance coverage for energy-asset owner/operator client’s defense against Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) action seeking $40 million in damages.
Contributed to principal Patrick Wielinski’s 6th Edition of Insurance for Defective Construction, a renowned national treatise on commercial general liability insurance in construction defect litigation.
Recovered client’s incurred defense costs as part of a favorable settlement with insurance carrier for bodily injury and wrongful death claims related to client’s oilfield pressure control services.
Secured $8.9 million from general contractor client’s liability carriers to settle claim against client for water damage from allegedly defective work.
Obtained $1.1 million settlement for property developer client from insurance carriers for general contractor and subcontractors for defective construction claims relating to client’s commercial property development.
Secured $1.25 million settlement for commercial property owner following mediation of disputed coverage for copper theft.
In numerous other cases, Sam has secured a liability defense for clients whose carriers disputed coverage for a lawsuit, saving the client defense costs that can approach six figures or more in each case.
Publications
“Order from the Courts: A Uniform Approach Begins to Emerge on the Texas Anti-Indemnity Act’s Effect on an Additional Insurer’s Duty to Defend,” Construction News, December 2025
“Texas Negligence Case Holds Lessons for Construction Cos.,” Law 360, August 26, 2021
Memberships & Affiliations
American Bar Association: Forum on Construction Law
State Bar of Texas
Insurance Law Section
Construction Law Section
Dallas Bar Association
Construction Law Section
Tort & Insurance Practices Section
Dallas Association of Young Lawyers
Member, Texas Bar College
Admissions
State Bar of Texas
United States District Courts: Northern, Eastern, Southern, and Western Districts of Texas
United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit
Stephanie Cook has extensive experience with a wide range of business negotiations and disputes, having successfully represented general contractors, banks, insurance companies, owners, developers, and individuals in complex commercial and construction litigation and bankruptcy for over twenty years. She began her career at Winstead P.C. and worked in the Austin and Houston offices, handling lender liability and workouts. She served on its leadership committee before returning to Austin to work at a litigation boutique, handling civil and appellate matters in state and federal courts for insurers, national lending institutions, and construction clients.
Stephanie has successfully negotiated contracts and resolved claims in excess of $1 billion in mission-critical and emerging technology work, including for national and regional Top 20 ENR contractors and leading industry practitioners. She has experience in mission-critical contracting, various project delivery methods, nuclear energy project delivery, project delays, and claim resolution.
Stephanie has settled, tried, or appealed a broad range of commercial and construction cases in state and federal courts in Texas, including delay claims, fraud, construction defects, commercial leases, subcontractor and general contractor disputes, director and officer liability, lender liability, and partnership disputes. She continues representing international and national lending institutions relating to workout, debt restructuring, asset protection, and defaults. Her knowledge of lending practices enables her to assess and protect clients in financially distressed projects.
Her devotion to the construction industry includes representing it before the Texas Legislature on matters critical to its continued success in Texas. She is a member of the Associated General Contractors-Texas Building Branch, Legal Affairs Committee, which monitors developing law affecting the construction industry, and partners with experts in engineering and architecture to understand all aspects of construction, engineering, and design. Frequently, she speaks with professional associations about best practices and the development of law to understand business risks in the construction industry. Her experience also earned her a place on the American Arbitration Association roster for complex commercial and construction litigation.
Stephanie also gives back to the community through leadership.
Education
St. Mary’s School of Law – J.D., magna cum laude, 1999
Order of Barristers
John Harlan Society
Phi Delta Phi Honor Society
St. Mary’s Law Journal, Associate Editor
Texas Tech University – B.A., 1994
Recognitions & Distinctions
Recognized by The Best Lawyers in America® for Commercial Litigation, Construction Law, and Litigation – Construction (2021–2026)
America’s Top 100 Bet-the-Company Litigators (2019–2022)
“Texas Rising Star,” Texas Monthly (2004)
Speaking Engagements & Presentations
Adjunct Professor, University of Texas at Austin School of Law, Arbitration — Spring 2024; Fall 2022; Fall 2021
“The Power and Persuasion of a Lien” — AGC-TBB, June 2023
“DEI Impact Initiatives: Sexual Harassment” — TEXO Association, May 2023
“Contract Drafting and Administration After James v. Westlake” — DBIA Southwest, April 2023
“James v. Westlake”— AGC-TBB, July 2022
OSHA: AGC Austin, June 2022
“SB 45 and Anti-Discrimination” — Client Presentation, August 2021
“Modernizing Commercial Liens – Is HB 2237 Better?” — AGC TBB Legislative Update, July 2021
“Risks and Rewards of Contracting in Texas” — Chambers Events Webinar, June 2021
“Pointers for General Contractors and Design-Builders” — Client Presentation, March 2021
“An Antidote for Construction Defects? The Right to Cure in Public Works and Buildings” — 34th Annual Construction Law Conference, March 2021
“The Impacts of COVID-19 and the November Election on the Construction Industry” — AGC Central Texas, November 2020
“COVID–Where Are We Today?” — TEXO Association, October 2020
“Key Provisions in Construction Contracts” — Client Presentation, February 2020
Travis M. Brown leads the firm’s Insurance Coverage and Risk Management practice group and serves as Managing Principal of the Dallas office. He brings more than a decade of experience advising clients on a wide range of insurance coverage matters. Travis began his career at an insurer-side firm with a national practice and gained valuable insight into how insurance companies evaluate claims, before and during litigation. Now, he applies that experience and insight on the other side of the docket to help companies ensure insurers honor their obligations under the policy when a claim arises. His primary focus is advising contractors, owners, subcontractors, and other participants in the construction industry in disputes with their insurance companies. In his coverage practice, he frequently represents oilfield service providers, pipeline companies, alternative energy contractors, and other clients across the oil, gas, and broader energy industries. In addition, his coverage expertise extends well outside the construction context. He has assisted clients in securing multi-million-dollar settlements or claim payments in disputes with insurers in a wide variety of cases, including a claim for coverage involving an e-mail spoofing/wire fraud incident, an eight-figure claim involving catastrophic property damage from the 2021 statewide freeze event in Texas, and several seven and eight-figure claims under builders risk policies.
Education
University of Texas School of Law – J.D., 2008
University of Texas at Austin – B.A., Plan II Honors Program, 2002
University of Texas at Austin – B.B.A. Finance, 2002
Certifications
Board Certified in Insurance Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization
Recognitions & Distinctions
Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America® for Construction Law, Insurance Law, Litigation – Construction, and Litigation – Insurance (2023–2026)
Named a Texas Super Lawyer in Insurance Coverage by Thomson Reuters (2022–2025)
Fewer than 5% of attorneys in the state are selected annually
Representative Experience
Prevailed on summary judgment in Central Mutual Ins. Co. v. Jason Holdings, LLC, Cause No. 5-24-CV-00258-FB-RBF, 2026 WL 806007, W.D. Tex. Feb. 26, 2026), report and recommendation adopted sub. nom., C. Mut. Ins. Co. v. Jason Holdings, LLC, No. SA-24-CA-00258-FB, 2026 WL 804069, (W.D. Tex. Mar. 23, 2026).
Prevailed on summary judgment on behalf of long-term care facility owner following fire to newly constructed building. After the fire, client/owner was added as an additional insured to the operating company’s property policy and sought coverage for its lost rental income in excess of $6 million, which commenced months after client was added to the policy. Insurer denied coverage under the fortuity doctrine, claiming a “known loss,” and litigation ensured. On cross motions for summary judgment, court rejected insurer’s fortuity argument and granted summary judgment in client’s favor based on the plain language of the policy.
Negotiated seven-figure pre-litigation settlement of claims under a CGL policy on behalf of pump manufacturer, following insurer’s complete denial of coverage for product-defect claims asserted by owner/operator of geothermal power station in New Zealand.
Secured seven-figure settlement under property policy for copper-theft claim after an initial denial of coverage. Case involved novel issues as to the vacancy provision of the policy and the participation agreement among several subscribing underwriters.
Submitted amicus brief on behalf of the National Association of Home Builders, Home Builders Association of Tennessee, and Home Builders Association of Greater Knoxville to the Tennessee Supreme Court in West Bend Mutual Ins. Co. v. Healy Homes, LLC, arguing that the Tennessee Supreme Court should follow a narrower construction of the standard “Pollution Exclusion” in a CGL policy.
Submitted amicus brief on behalf of Associated General Contractors of America (“AGC”) and Texas Building Branch—AGC, in support of Austin Bridge & Road, L.P. (“ABR”) in San Antonio River Authority v. Austin Bridge & Road, L.P., — S.W.3d —, 2020 WL 2097347 (Tex. May 1, 2020). After arbitrator denied River Authority’s plea of governmental immunity, River Authority objected to continuation of the arbitration and filed suit against contractors in the district court, contending that it lacked authority to agree to mandatory arbitration. Texas Supreme Court found for ABR and held that the River Authority had authority under the Local Government Code to agree to arbitrate disputes arising from a construction contract.
Lead counsel on lawsuit against carrier that denied coverage under client’s first-party property policy for Hurricane Harvey loss. The case resulted in a seven-figure settlement for the client.
Obtained multi-million dollar settlement for a general contractor in a dispute involving coverage for a complex construction defect suit, in which primary and excess insurers all denied coverage.
Obtained summary judgment and dismissal of all claims against the owner and general contractor in a third-party over personal injury action brought by an injured employee of a subcontractor. The owner, general contractor, and plaintiff’s employer were insured under an owner-controlled insurance program (“OCIP”). The court applied section 406.123 of the Texas Labor Code to extend the protection of the workers’ compensation bar to the owner and general contractor.
Prepared amicus brief in support of Austin Bridge & Road, LP in Austin Bridge & Road, LP v. Suarez, et al., — S.W.3d —, 2018 WL 2049356 (Tex. App.—Houston [1st Dist.] May 3, 2018, no pet.). Court enforced OCIP workers’ compensation bar under Section 406.123 of the Texas Labor Code, reversed $17 million verdict, and rendered a take-nothing verdict in wrongful death suit brought by survivors of sub-subcontractor’s employee, who died while performing work on McClane Stadium project at Baylor University. The court confirmed prior Texas cases holding that all contractors and subcontractors on the project insured under the OCIP were entitled to comp bar protection.
Regularly work with construction clients before engaging in coverage litigation to ensure that insurance carriers properly defend their insureds, contribute to the settlement of covered property damage and bodily injury claims, and pay first-party claims under business risk and commercial property policies.
Speaking Engagements & Presentations
Article Co-Author and Panel Moderator, “Coordination of CGL, Builders Risk, and Wrap-Ups: Buyer Beware,” IRMI Construction Risk Conference, November 2025
Article Co-Author and Presenter, “Times are Tough Now, Just Getting Tougher: Will CGL and Builders Risk Cover Me?,” AGC Surety Bonding & Construction Risk Management Conference, January 2025
Presenter, “Builders Risk Basics for Construction Lawyers,” Houston Bar Association Construction Law Section Meeting, May 2023
Presenter, “Clarity at Last on the Texas Construction Anti-Indemnity Act,” Dallas Bar Association Construction Law Section Meeting, August 2022
Presenter, “Insurance Law Update,” 2021 Annual CLE for Board Certified Construction Lawyers, Construction Law Foundation of Texas
Presenter and Article Author, “Construction Update,” Advanced Insurance Law CLE, Texas Insurance Law Section, October 1, 2021
Presenter and Article Author, “Construction Update,” Advanced Insurance Law CLE (Webcast), Texas Insurance Law Section, June 5, 2020
Panel Member, EPC Contract & Risk Management for Construction and Capital Projects Conference (Houston, Texas), September 12, 2019
Insurance Co. Must Cover Contractor in Sports Complex Row, by Mike Curley – Law360, August 17, 2018
Court of Appeals Enforces OCIP Workers Comp Bar, Reverses $17 Million Verdict and Renders Take Nothing Judgment, May 7, 2018
Court Enforces OCIP Workers Comp Bar in Third Party Over Action, December 8, 2017
Presenter, “Insurance Basics for the Construction Lawyer,” The Basic Course in Construction Law, Construction Law Foundation of Texas (Dallas, Texas), November 30, 2017
“USAA v. Menchaca,” Texas Supreme Court Issues Significant Clarification Affecting Insureds and Insurers, April 25, 2017
Publications
“Order from the Courts: A Uniform Approach Begins to Emerge on the Texas Anti-Indemnity Act’s Effect on an Additional Insurer’s Duty to Defend,” Construction News, December 2025
“Texas Negligence Case Holds Lessons for Construction Cos.,” Law 360, August 26, 2021
Memberships & Affiliations
Dallas Bar Association
Construction Law Section, Council Member (2021)
Tort & Insurance Practice Section
Dallas Association of Young Lawyers
Admissions
State Bar of Texas
United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit
United States District Courts: Northern, Eastern, Southern, and Western Districts of Texas
Community Involvement
McKinney Avenue Transit Authority: Board of Directors, (2016–Present); Chairman of Fundraising and Development (2018–2019)
Exchange Club of Lake Highlands: Scholarship Committee, 2017; Oktoberfest Committee, 2013
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