Cory Curtis focuses his litigation practice on complex business disputes, construction cases, and injury defense. From prelitigation counseling to trial, Cory helps his clients achieve both their legal and business objectives.
Cory’s experience extends to a variety of litigation matters, including contract and business cases, fiduciary litigation, construction law matters, and trade secret / non-disclosure agreement disputes. Cory also defends equipment manufacturers, construction firms, and energy companies in product liability and injury cases alleging catastrophic injury and wrongful death in state and federal courts throughout the country.
Education
University of Denver Sturm College of Law – J.D., 2003
Hope College – B.A., 1999
Representation Experience
Secured jury verdict for client on claim for breach of fiduciary duty after five-day trial against defendant financial advisor in U.S. District Court for the District of Colorado by showing that financial advisor breached his fiduciary duties to client by aiding in transfer of client’s funds despite multiple red flags.
Prevailed in seven-day administrative law trial before Texas State Office of Administrative Hearings for Class 8 truck manufacturer by showing manufacturer’s good cause to reduce dealer’s area of responsibility because of dealer’s poor sales and service performance and successfully defended case on appeal.
Secured jury verdict and awarded attorney’s fees and costs for drilling company client in case involving breach of the International Association of Drilling Contractor’s form contract in the U.S. District Court for the District of Colorado. Prosecuted the drilling company’s breach of contract case and defended against operator’s counterclaims for breach of contract.
Prevailed in appeal before the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit in a dealership termination dispute between an equipment manufacturer and an equipment dealer. The Sixth Circuit ruled in favor of the client that the dealer was not permitted to shield the federal case record from public access on concerns that publicity would harm the dealership. Rudd Equip. Co., Inc. v. John Deere Constr. & Forestry Co., 834 F.3d 589 (6th Cir. 2016).
Secured jury verdict for publicly traded engineering and manufacturing company in the U.S. District Court for the District of Colorado by arguing that the client’s carbon steel boat steering cable design was not defective, and the jury should decide that issue using the risk-benefit test, not the consumer expectation test. Defended verdict on appeal. Kokins, et al. v. Teleflex Inc., 621 F.3d 1290 (10th Cir. 2010).
Awarded summary judgment for component part supplier in a California federal court strict product liability and fraud case involving a failed microtunnel boring machine. Nada Pacific Corp. v. Power Engineering & Mfg., Ltd., 73 F. Supp. 3d 1206 (N.D. Cal. 2014).
Awarded summary judgment in favor of an engineering client in case involving alleged storage silo failures by arguing the parties’ contracts defeated claims for third-party beneficiary status and implied warranty in a Pennsylvania federal court. Lone Star Industries, Inc. v. Besser Company, Civ. Action No. 11-1481, 2013 WL (April 17, 2013, E.D. Pa.).
After nearly a decade of litigation in New York state court, secured agreement to transfer venue to arbitration and later won defense award for manufacturer facing claims by former partner over a failed joint venture to sell equipment to factories in Greece.
Awarded summary judgment for publicly traded engineering and manufacturing firm in catastrophic injury and quadriplegia products liability case in Maricopa County, Arizona, by defeating plaintiffs’ causation theory where plaintiffs sought more than $30 million in damages.
Awarded summary judgment for equipment seller in a warranty case in New York County, New York, by arguing the buyers’ claims were barred by the statute of limitations. The buyers were required to pay for the goods and the installation services the client provided in China.
Led defense of cross border dispute in Harris County District Court involving claims against Mexican dairy company client brough by client’s U.S. and Mexican distributors over failed business venture in Texas. Secured settlement for client that ended litigation and terminated the client’s U.S. and Mexican distributor agreements with distributors.
Speaking Engagements & Presentations
Collignon and Curtis Speak on “Interviewing for Diversity Scholarships” at the University of Denver Sturm College of Law (11/1/2013)
Memberships & Affiliations
American Bar Association
Colorado Bar Association
Texas Bar Association
Admissions
State Bar of Texas
State Bar of Colorado
United States District Court: District of Nebraska
United States District Court: Eastern District of Michigan
United States District Court: District of Colorado
United States District Court: Northern, Eastern & Southern District of Texas
United States Courts of Appeals for the Sixth & Tenth Circuits
Community Involvement
Board Member, Alumni Council, University of Denver Sturm College of Law (2016-present)
Chairman, Businesses of Thornton Advisory Commission (2012-2014)
Graham Quinn is an attorney in the Houston office of Cokinos | Young. His practice primarily focuses on construction law and commercial litigation, representing residential, commercial, and industrial construction clients. Graham received his J.D. from South Texas College of Law Houston in May of 2021. While in law school, Graham served as a judicial intern for the Honorable Richard Hightower, Justice, of the First Court of Appeals of Texas. Graham received his B.B.A. in Management from Texas Tech University in May of 2018.
Education
South Texas College of Law Houston – J.D., 2021
Texas Tech University – B.B.A., 2018
Recognitions & Distinctions
Best Lawyers in America: Ones to Watch 2024- Construction Law
Judicial Experience
Judicial Intern for the Honorable Richard Hightower, Justice, First Court of Appeals of Texas
Publications
For the Good of the Game: The Role and Authority of the Commissioner of Baseball During the Sport’s Biggest Scandal, 24 U. Denv. Sports & Ent. L.J. 109 (Spring 2021).
Katie Nash is an associate in the Houston office of Cokinos | Young, where she is a member of the Corporate & Real Estate Transactions practice group. Katie’s practice primarily focuses on corporate governance, private equity matters, mergers and acquisitions, and the ongoing general representation to clients regarding businesses of all types, where she advises on all aspects of the corporate life cycle from formation to growth, reorganization, restructuring, and finally to winding up. Katie also represents clients in commercial and residential real estate transactions, debt and equity financing, employment issues, complex business contract negotiations and related transactional matters.
Education
St. Mary’s University School of Law – J.D., 2013
– Editorial Board, Mary’s Law Journal, Volume 44
University of Texas at Austin – B.A. English, 2009
Recognitions & Distinctions
Best Lawyers in America: Ones to Watch 2024- Corporate Law, Mergers and Acquisitions Law, and Real Estate Law
Representative Experience
Represented various clients in the formation of limited liability corporations, nonprofit corporations, and other corporate entities.
Represented various clients in asset and equity acquisitions and sales
Represented client as seller of company assets for $4.5 million
Represented client as purchaser in a joint venture buyout for $15 million
Represented various in preparation of financing documents
Prepared and revised proprietary forms for clients for the leasing and acquisition of real property
Represented both landlords and tenants in drafting and negotiation various lease spaces
Allegra Melton Lezak is an attorney in the Houston office of Cokinos | Young. Allegra received her J.D. from The University of Houston Law Center, where she served as Senior Articles Editor for the Houston Journal of International Law. While in law school, she also represented clients in the civil litigation clinic and was a competitive member of the mock trial team.
Allegra’s practice primarily focuses on construction law and commercial litigation. She has experience representing residential and commercial construction clients throughout the litigation and arbitration processes. Allegra’s experience covers a variety of areas including contract and payment disputes, delay disputes, mechanic’s and materialman’s liens, construction defect cases, premises and products liability, negligence, and other residential and commercial construction issues.
Education
University of Houston Law Center – J.D., 2018
Texas A&M University – B.S., cum laude, 2015
Recognitions & Distinctions
Best Lawyers – Ones to Watch 2023, 2024: Commercial Litigation, Construction Law, and Litigation – Construction
Publications
The Independent Injury Claim Against Subcontractors and the Law of Unintended Consequences, The State Bar of Texas Construction Law Journal (Winter 2020)
Memberships & Affiliations
Texas Aggie Bar Association
Texas Bar Association: Construction Law Section
Texas Bar Association: Women and the Law Section
Texas Bar Association: Litigation Section
Admissions
State Bar of Texas
United States District Court: Eastern & Southern District of Texas
Kathleen Barrett Madere is an attorney in the Houston office of Cokinos | Young. Her practice is primarily focused on resolving complex construction and commercial disputes through litigation and arbitration. Kathleen has handled construction disputes involving multi-million dollar residences, pipelines and compressor stations, retail and warehousing facilities, bridges, and other commercial and industrial projects. Kathleen also has experience with employment matters. Kathleen was a significant contributor to the 2020 and 2021 Case Law Update, presented at the annual construction law conference in San Antonio, Texas. Kathleen also co-authored a paper for the HBA Construction Law Section entitled, Fraud, Construction, and the Texas Property Code.
Education
University of Texas School of Law – J.D., 2020
Texas State University – B.A. English, 2017
Recognitions and Distinctions
Best Lawyers in America: Ones to Watch 2024- Commercial Litigation, Construction Law, and Litigation – Construction
Named Rising Star by Texas Super Lawyers 2023
Representative Experience
Second-chair trial experience successfully defending against allegations of mechanical failures and breach of contract in a jury trial.
Successfully achieved summary judgment in a high-value pipeline dispute involving mineral lien rights.
Obtained favorable arbitration outcome for a subcontractor/supplier in a multi-million dollar construction dispute involving claims of breach of contract, non-payment, and delay.
Obtained favorable outcome in large-scale dispute involving flooding and alleged negligence of developers engaged in business along Texas waterways.
Obtained favorable settlement for a large company in a trade secret dispute in federal court.
Memberships & Affiliations
Texas Bar Association: Construction Law Section
Texas Bar Association: Women and the Law Section
Admissions
State Bar of Texas
State Bar of Oregon
United States District Court: Eastern & Southern Districts of Texas
For the past fifteen years, Peter has developed a range of legal experience encompassing a wide array of commercial litigation matters in the energy, construction, and financial services industries where he has resolved disputes across the country before various courts and arbitration forums. He has had the fortunate opportunity to work with some of the largest banks, insurers, and broker-dealers in the country as well as with smaller “mom and pop” businesses, and yet his approach to achieving the best result for his clients does not change. Peter works closely with his clients to establish the most effective and cost-efficient strategy for every matter, and he is committed to working hard every day to ensure the client’s goals are achieved.
Education
South Texas College of Law – J.D., magna cum laude, 2005
University of Texas at Austin – B.A. Government, Minor – Business, 2002
Recognitions & Distinctions
Best Lawyer in America 2023, 2024: Personal Injury Litigation – Defendants
Selected for inclusion in Texas Rising Stars for Business Litigation (2015-2019)
Houston Association of Legal Professionals, 2010 Boss of the Year
Representative Experience
Construction
Obtained complete dismissal on behalf of heavy highway construction company in private nuisance action brought by adjacent landowner who alleged construction activities at borrow site caused increased flooding. Plaintiff non-suited all claims against client after all his experts were successfully struck from the case.
Represented chemical company relating to claims for loss of productivity and overhead against mechanical piping contractor on multi-million dollar styrene revamp project.
Represented commercial contractors in all facets of construction litigation including the recovery of mechanics and materialman’s liens, percentage completion, defects, delays, prompt payment violations, and trust fund violations.
Commercial
Won week long trial before The Honorable Lynn N. Hughes in the Southern District of Texas—Houston Division representing local stevedoring company relating to claims against major national chassis pool operator for breach of contract stemming from repair services stevedore provided to chassis pool operator. Also defended against counterclaims for breach of contract and fraud. Obtained judgment for 100% of claim as well as attorneys’ fees, costs, and interest.
Represented local exploration and production company on oil and gas lease termination cases. Relevant issues included application of production in paying quantities, force majeure, continuous drilling, Pugh clauses, and interpretation of joint operating agreements.
Represented publicly traded oilfield services company in breach of contract case stemming from synthetic mat joint-venture.
Represented oilfield tool companies in disputes involving claims for unpaid freight charges, breach of warranty, and collection of receivables.
Provided risk assessment and pre-litigation analysis for major chemical manufacturer relating to various issues including (1) termination of terminalling services agreement; (2) common-carrier status of various pipeline owners; and (3) proposed contract language for incorporation into sales agreements for commingled product.
Represented mineral interest owner in suit brought by federal government seeking to foreclose on tax liens against co-tenant/delinquent taxpayer.
Represented global medical device manufacturer to recover receivables owed stemming from lease of breathalyzers.
Representing entrepreneur/buyer in various disputes under asset purchase agreement against seller of medical imaging company.
Represented guarantors of notes in actions by banks to recover on defaulted loans provided to oilfield storage tank manufacturer and seller.
Representing local third-party adjusting firm for various Lloyds syndicates against ERP software design firm in DTPA and breach of contract action.
Represented stevedoring company relating to claims by second largest container shipper in world for fraud and breach of contract.
Served as local counsel to oil and gas magazine publisher relating to claims for fraud and theft stemming from sale of multi-million dollar land rig.
Represented downtown Houston property owner named as defendant/subsequent transferee in Bankruptcy Court adversary proceeding for claims relating to fraudulent transfer of client’s property.
Represented individual commercial property owner relating to claims by foreign family member for trespass to try title, fraud, and constructive trust.
Participated as part of contract drafting and negotiation team for major chemical manufacturer relating to the sale and storage of chemicals for international customer.
Experience also includes comment and negotiation of master services agreement for commercial electrical contractor relating to work at chemical plant.
Financial
Represented New York investment bank in suit by subsequent trustee relating to claims for civil conspiracy and breach of fiduciary duty for sale of publicly traded royalty trust assets.
Represented brokers and broker dealers before the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (“FINRA”) and its predecessor, the National Association of Securities Dealers (“NASD”), relating to customer disputes regarding claims for unsuitability, fraud, churning, unauthorized trading, breach of fiduciary duty, and breach of contract. Experience includes risk assessment and drafting case evaluation letters for use in discussions with client and insurance carrier for settlement and settlement authority.
Represented various insurance brokers and independent registered representatives relating to claims stemming from the sale of various fixed and variable annuities, life insurance, disability, and long-term care products.
Successfully tried arbitration before FINRA relating to customer dispute involving rogue broker’s recommendation of speculative investment outside the scope of his employment with broker dealer. All claims asserted against client dismissed with prejudice.
Successfully tried arbitration before FINRA relating to former broker’s employment agreement and promissory notes with local broker dealer. After hearing arguments from both sides, panel awarded client full amount of unpaid principal, interest, and attorneys’ fees.
Defended broker dealer from claims brought by individuals and corporations for fraud stemming from sale of auction rate securities.
Hired by various broker dealers to enforce arbitration awards in state courts relating to employment agreements and promissory notes.
Represented tax preparation service relating to claims of improper accounting practices.
Insurance
Represented major national insurance company with regard to first party insurance property damage claims for mold, water, hurricane, and fire damage. Experience includes drafting initial pre-suit reports, mediation reports, and status reports to client for case evaluation.
Won summary judgment on behalf of national insurance company dismissing extra-contractual claims stemming from uninsured motorist coverage.
Speaking Engagements & Presentations
Forecasting Challenges in Design-Build Construction in light of Texas SB 219 and Material Price Escalation, 2022 Design-Build Institute of America Southwest Regional Conference, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, April 2022
The Biggest Issues Impacting Your Work in 2021 – 2022, 2021 Houston Contractors Association Management Conference, Key West, Florida, August 2021
Memberships & Affiliations
South Texas College of Law Alumni Association, Director
Board of Directors, Wilchester Men’s Club (a charitable non-profit 501(c)(3) focused on youth outreach, education, and neighbors in need in the areas of west Memorial and Spring Branch)
Admissions
State Bar of Texas
United States District Court: Eastern, Southern & Western Districts of Texas
Darrell Taylor is a Principal in the Houston office of Cokinos | Young, where he is a member of the Corporate & Real Estate Transactions practice group.
After practicing for more than twenty-five years, Darrell has an extensive history of supervising and documenting a multitude of transactional matters for large public companies as well as smaller private ventures. His areas of expertise are:
Mergers, acquisitions, divestitures, investments
Debt and equity financings
Contract and commercial matters
Corporate governance and Board of Directors matters
Education
University of Texas School of Law – J.D., with honors
University of Texas at Austin – B.B.A Finance, with honors
Recognitions & Distinctions
Best Lawyers in America 2008 – 2024: Corporate Law & Real Estate Law
Major Accomplishments
Halliburton: Acted as lead securities and financing lawyer for a series of related transactions for Halliburton, including debt and equity financings of over $3 billion to fund asbestos trusts for subsidiaries in Chapter 11 proceedings; followed by separation of KBR engineering, procurement and construction business and related subsidiaries; and KBR’s subsequent $2.4 billion initial public offering and tax-free split-off to shareholders.
Pennzoil: Supervised the legal representation of Pennzoil Company in reinvestment of $3 billion litigation settlement, including $215 million acquisition of Co-Enerco, $440 million investment in Burlington Resources, and $2.1 billion investment in Chevron; followed by
$1.5 billion acquisition of oil and gas properties from Chevron
separation of Pennzoil upstream oil and gas business into PennzEnergy and subsequent $4.7 billion merger with Devon
going public transaction and $1.6 billion combination of Quaker State and Pennzoil downstream business to form Pennzoil-Quaker State and subsequent $1.8 billion divestiture to Shell Oil
Representative Experience
Served a lead M&A counsel for:
Lyondell Chemical in its $13 billion acquisition by Access Industries
Halliburton in its $2.4 billion IPO and split-off to its stockholders of its KBR subsidiary
Pennzoil Products in its $1.6 billion combination with Quaker State
PennzEnergy in its $4.7 billion merger with Devon
Pennzoil-Quaker State in its $1.8 billion acquisition by Shell Oil
BP in its sale of Altura oil and gas properties and assets to Occidental Petroleum for $1.8 billion
Pennzoil in its $2.1 billion investment in Chevron
Pennzoil in its $1.5 billion acquisition of oil and gas properties from Chevron
Pennzoil in its $440 million investment in Burlington Resources
Pennzoil in its $250 million acquisition of Facet Enterprises
Purolator Products in its $250 million acquisition by Mark IV Industries
Served as supervising debt and equity financing counsel for:
Halliburton – equity and debt issuances and debt exchanges in multiple offerings of over $4 billion
Pennzoil – equity and debt issuances and debt exchanges in multiple offerings of over $4 billion
Pennzoil-Quaker State – debt issuances in multiple offerings of over $1 billion
Equistar Chemical – debt issuances in multiple offerings of over $2 billion
Lyondell Chemical – debt issuances in multiple offerings of over $3 billion
LyondellBasell Industries – debt issuance of $2.7 billion
Millennium Chemical – debt exchanges of over $500 million
Served as a supervising compliance and SEC counsel for:
KBR
Halliburton
Hydril
Pennzoil
Pennzoil-Quaker State
PennzEnergy
Purolator Products
Lyondell Chemical
LyondellBasell Industries
Group 1 Automotive
Served as supervising counsel on IPOs and going public transactions for:
LyondellBasell Industries N.V.
KBR
Lehman Brothers as lead underwriter – W&T Offshore, Inc.
Lehman Brothers as lead underwriter – ATP Oil & Gas Corporation
Merrill Lynch as lead underwriter – Energy Partners, Ltd.
Joseph Walker is an attorney in the Houston office of Cokinos | Young. His practice focuses primarily on construction law and commercial litigation. Joseph received his J.D. from South Texas College of Law Houston, where he served as Vice President for the Construction Law Society. While in law school, he also served as a judicial intern for the Honorable Delinda Gibbs-Walker of the 1-A District Court.
Education
South Texas College of Law Houston – J.D., 2019
Harding University – B.B.A. Accounting, 2016
Harding University – B.B.A., Business Management, 2016
Recognitions & Distinctions
CALI Award for Academic Excellence in Transactional Skills: Real Estate
Best Lawyers – Ones to Watch 2022 – 2024: Construction Law and Litigation – Construction
Memberships & Affiliations
State Bar of Texas – Construction Law Section
Admissions
State Bar of Texas
United States District Court: Southern District of Texas
Alfredo Montelongo is an attorney in the Houston office of Cokinos | Young. His practice focuses primarily on construction law and commercial litigation. Alfredo Montelongo received his J.D. from Stanford Law School, where he served on the Civil Rights Civil Liberties Journal and worked in the Immigrants’ Rights Clinic.
Education
Stanford Law School – J.D., 2015
Harvard University – B.A. English 2011
Recognitions & Distinctions
Best Lawyers – Ones to Watch 2023: Litigation – Construction
Representative Experience
Obtained a favorable defense verdict after a two-week bench trial for a mid-stream energy company over multiple competing claims for breach of contract (including contractor’s allegations of fraud and negligent misrepresentations) related to the construction of a 713-mile pipeline in Ohio.
For over 30 years, Philip has helped clients structure, negotiate and close real estate and business transactions.
Philip’s real estate practice has primarily focused on acquisitions and divestitures of commercial and industrial real property, leasing transactions (including ground leases and sale-leasebacks), and development projects. He has assisted clients with many types of real estate, including multifamily properties, shopping centers, office buildings, industrial facilities, ranches, university and municipal properties, and timberland and other unimproved land.
Philip has also represented clients in a broad variety of other business transactions. In private M&A transactions, he has represented private-equity clients in platform and add-on acquisitions, as well as strategic buyers seeking to enhance their industry position; he has also represented the owners of numerous companies being sold. He has helped structure and form a wide variety of joint ventures, including for construction projects, energy ventures, and major infrastructure developments. Philip has significant experience in the use of limited liability companies, S corporations and other business entities, for the formation of start-up companies, the restructuring of existing businesses, and in preparation for generational changes in ownership.
Philip’s clients have included general and specialty contractors, real estate developers, upstream and midstream energy companies, fabricators, distributors, PE funds, investors, professional firms, and non-profits, among many others. In each case, Philip takes care to ensure his client understands the legal risks and benefits of the transaction. Many clients are experts in their business but novices in major business transactions. Clients who have never sold a business before, for example, may be understandably confused by the complex legal and contractual jargon in a typical business-sale agreement. Philip knows how to translate those terms and concepts into plain English and explain their real-world significance and consequences. He also helps clients efficiently navigate the transactional process, minimize delays, and best address issues as they arise.
Prior to joining his first firm, Vinson & Elkins, in 1985, Philip served as a judicial law clerk to Hon. Malcolm R. Wilkey of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit.
Education
University of Virginia School of Law – J.D., 1984
– Order of the Coif
– Articles Development Editor, Virginia Law Review
Tulane University – B.A. History, summa cum laude,1981
Recognitions & Distinctions
AV rated by Martindale Hubbell Peer Review rating, the highest rating possible
Best Lawyers in America 2023, 2024: Real Estate Law
Representative Experience
Real Estate Transactions
Represented multifamily property developer in separate sales of three Houston-area apartment complexes and acquisition of tract for future multifamily development.
Represented alumni association in ground leases in heart of Texas A&M University campus for development of new park and alumni facility.
Represented golf course developer in ground lease and economic development agreement with City of Baytown, Texas for innovative new golf course.
Represented specialty engineering firm in sale-leaseback of headquarters complex and other facilities for $39 million.
Represented real estate developer in development of shopping center in Fort Bend County, Texas.
Represented global energy company with respect to brownfield redevelopments of legacy industrial sites.
Business Transactions
Represented major commercial and residential waste collection business in Central Texas in sale of its assets.
Represented distributor of specialty industrial products in its equity acquisition of another such company, for $22 million, and in acquisitions of four smaller companies.
Represented private equity fund in its platform acquisition of the equity of a national specialty contractor for $32 million.
Represented light-industrial products and services company in its asset acquisition of a distributor of such products for $19 million.
Represented specialized services company in its equity sale to a non-U.S. buyer for $19 million.
Represented a provider of specialized retail services in its equity acquisition of a marketing company for $22 million.
Represented private company in contribution of its Eagle Ford shale energy properties in central Texas to joint venture with major institutional investor, in $300 million transaction.
Represented major pipeline company in consortium’s development of a cross-border natural gas pipeline from offshore Nova Scotia to Boston area.
Memberships & Affiliations
State Bar of Texas: Business Law Section; Real Estate, Probate, & Trust Law Section
Houston Bar Association: Mergers & Acquisitions Section; Real Estate Section
Recent Comments