Biography

No stranger to a construction site, John Grayson worked his way through Texas A&M University, working as a gas station attendant and as a laborer, equipment operator, and pouring concrete in the Houston area.

Upon graduation from Baylor University School of Law, John joined a prestigious litigation Houston firm defending major aircraft manufacturers and industrial equipment suppliers in several high-stakes cases involving multiple deaths and serious injuries. For over 40 years, John has concentrated on major, complex litigation. The breadth and sophistication of Grayson’s experience are unequaled, as evidenced by his recognition by Best Lawyers in America in three categories: Construction Law, Construction Litigation, and Personal Injury Litigation – Defendants. Grayson’s work on everything from major pipeline, commercial, and residential construction matters to mass tort and securities class and mass actions has taken him from coast to coast and to many foreign countries. His clients include owners, developers, general contractors, energy contractors, ammunition manufacturers, utilities, and fiber optic companies in trials and arbitrations. He also represents design professionals, individuals, physicians, physician groups, and attorneys. Clients describe John’s style as aggressive, intellectual, and practical. In addition to his training as a Mediator, Grayson is a Panelist with the American Arbitration Association (AAA) for Construction Disputes and Consumer Disputes.

A frequent contributor to Construction Trade Journals and the Construction Law Journal, John’s work has also been published in the Texas Bar Journal. He has presented at the Center for International Legal Studies in Salzburg, Austria, and is a regular presenter on EPC Contract and Risk Management and energy-related trade groups.

John has been AV rated for over 35 years, is a member of the TX Oil and Gas Association, Society of Construction Law, the FDCC, and maintains membership in the Construction, Litigation, Insurance, and Aviation sections of the State Bar of Texas.

Education

• Baylor University School of Law – J.D., 1983
• Texas A&M University – B.A. History, with honors, 1980
• National Mediation Academy, Dallas, Texas, 2003

Recognitions & Distinctions

• American Mensa
• Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America® (2021–2026): Construction Law, Litigation – Construction, and Personal Injury Litigation – Defendants
• AV rated for over 35 years by Martindale Hubbell for legal ability and ethics.
• Named a Texas Super Lawyer by Thomson Reuters in Construction Litigation (2011–2024). Each year, no more than 5 percent of lawyers in the state are selected to receive this honor.

Representative Experience

• Obtained a favorable result for a major, national electrical contractor in dispute with a surety in connection with the construction of a massive solar energy farm.
• Obtained summary judgment in wrongful death case for major global pipe manufacturer in oil patch accident in which the final settlement demand at mediation was $150 million.
• Obtained favorable defense award after three-week arbitration hearing on behalf of ENR Top 10 general contractor client against claims of over $37,000,000 brought by subcontractor and four pass-through sub-subcontractors.  The case involved one of the largest commercial projects ever built in the City of Houston, and the largest healthcare tower project built to date in the Texas Medical Center, with construction costs that exceeded $500,000,000.  After 28 witnesses and nearly 4,000 trial exhibits and demonstratives, claimants recovered nothing on loss of productivity and delay claims associated with alleged mismanagement, abuse, and intentional interference, and were denied a request for over $6,800,000 in attorneys’ fees and costs.
• Claims against a surety on behalf of the contractor arising from the construction of a major solar farm project.
• Defense Counsel in Claims involving premature corrosion and failure of a complex of energy pipelines and over $40 million in claims. Following extensive discovery and dispositive motions, the case settled favorably for the defense.
• Defense counsel for horizontal drilling (HDD) contractor related to the construction of a natural gas pipeline. The matter was favorably resolved.
• Successfully defended a global architecture firm against $16 million delay and consequential damages in arbitration.
• Successfully defended a fiber-optic communications company in a $2 million+ contract case in the Utah Federal District Court.
• Handled contracting issues in the construction of $1.4 billion steel pipe manufacturing facility.
• Represents energy pipeline contractors in multiple states.
• Represented a major general contractor in litigation from a multi-story office building project.
• Represented a consortium of 44 banks seeking recovery of financing provided for the construction of a beachfront high-rise condominium that developed serious structural problems, which required its demolition.
• Represented the general contractor in disputes with international suppliers and complex scheduling issues in connection with the expansion of a major city convention center.
• Represented a national electrical subcontractor in an airport expansion project concerning contract and payment litigation involving prevailing wage rate disputes.
• AAA Arbitration for a major tank construction contractor involving the construction of an LNG storage facility in Louisiana.
• Represented a major homebuilder in multi-party litigation arising from the alleged pre-existing ground contamination of a residential development.

Speaking Engagements & Presentations

• CLE Presenter:  “Liquidated Damages Provisions”, The Construction Law Foundation of Texas, Houston, December 5, 2019
• Center for International Legal Studies (Invited Speaker – Salzburg, Austria, November 2004)

Publications

• Grayson, J. (n.d.). Derivative sovereign immunity: An idea whose time has come for Texas? Construction Law Journal, 11(2).
• Grayson, J. (n.d). Creative uses of declaratory judgment in the construction litigation context. Construction Law Journal, 17(1).
• Forum Non-Conveniens – The Other Side of the Story, Texas Bar Journal, September 1992

Memberships & Affiliations

• Society of Construction Law
• Texas Oil and Gas Association
• NACE International
• American Arbitration Association (AAA): National Roster of Arbitrators, Large Complex Construction Disputes
• Federation of Defense & Corporate Counsel (FDCC)
• State Bar of Texas: Construction, Litigation, Insurance, Aviation
• Federal Bar Association
• Saint Anthony the Great Orthodox Christian Church

Admissions

• State Bar of Texas (1983)
• United States District Courts: Northern, Eastern, Southern, and Western Districts of Texas

Community Involvement

• Texas Aggie Bar Association (Board Member 2004–2007)
• Baylor Law Alumni – Lifetime Member
• Boy Scouts of America – Assistant Scout Master; father of Eagle Scout
• Charles L Sommers Alumni Association, Life Member

Biography

Tony Golz’s practice focuses primarily on commercial litigation and appellate matters for a wide range of clients. He has represented contractors and owners, as well as product designers and distributors, in commercial disputes involving construction defect/delay claims, mechanic’s and materialman’s lien claims, product liability claims, breach of contract claims, and DTPA/Insurance Code claims. Tony is Board Certified in Appellate Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization.

Tony graduated Cum Laude from the University of Houston Law Center, where he also served as the Head Senior Articles Editor for the Houston Business and Tax Law Journal. After graduation, Tony served as the Briefing Attorney for former Justice Wanda McKee Fowler of the Houston (Fourteenth) Court of Appeals, where he gained valuable appellate experience.

Education

• University of Houston Law Center – J.D., cum laude, 2007
• University of Texas at Austin – B.A., High Honors, 2000

Recognitions & Distinctions

• Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America® (2024–2026): Appellate Practice

Representative Experience

• Appellate counsel for a Houston-based restaurant chain suing an insurance agent for violating the DTPA and Insurance Code by knowingly misrepresenting the coverage provided by an insurance policy. The trial awarded the restaurant chain actual damages, punitive damages, and attorney’s fees.
• Appellate counsel for an owner against a general contractor in a matter involving construction delay claims. The owner, a drainage district, successfully defended against the contractor’s claims in the trial court and prevailed on its counterclaims for breach of contract, retaining liquidated damages and recovering its attorney’s fees.
• Appellate counsel for an owner who successfully defended against a vendor’s mechanic’s and materialman’s lien claims. The trial court declared the vendor’s asserted liens invalid and awarded the owner damages and attorney’s fees.
• Appellate counsel for a subcontractor in a matter involving an owner’s breach of a public works contract. The owner, a municipality, failed to designate in its bid documents and contract the correct prevailing wage rates to be paid on an airport project.
• Appellate counsel for a commercial leasing company in a matter involving allegations that leased construction equipment was defective. The trial court and the court of appeals held that the equipment manufacturer was required to indemnify the leasing company; The Texas Supreme Court dismissed the manufacturer’s petition for review.
• Represented a pump company in a matter involving breach of contract and fraud claims related to an asset purchase agreement and subsequent settlement agreements.
• Defended South African, British, and American corporations from products liability claims regarding a refractory material used in industrial refining applications.

Memberships & Affiliations

• State Bar of Texas: Appellate and Construction Law Sections
• Houston Bar Association: Appellate and Construction Law Sections
• Texas Young Lawyers Association

Admissions

• State Bar of Texas
• United States Courts of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit
• United States District Courts: Northern, Eastern, and Southern Districts of Texas

Biography

Tracy Glenn is a principal with Cokinos | Young and specializes in complex commercial litigation, insurance defense and coverage disputes as well as various appellate matters. Tracy also serves as comprehensive legal counsel, advising employers on how to effectively and efficiently resolve, mitigate and avoid issues, problems and disputes before litigation becomes necessary. Ms. Glenn routinely advises clients on contract enforcement and interpretation and avoiding drafting pitfalls. Her clients include a variety of large and small businesses, including major insurance carriers and general contractors.

Tracy’s practice also includes defense of corporations and individuals sued for claims involving personal injury and property damage, and she handles a wide variety of claims ranging from construction defects, premises liability, commercial disputes, and professional liability in state and federal courts. Tracy has successfully prosecuted and defended Lanham Act claims, trade dress infringement, and employment disputes, including non-compete, discrimination, and sexual harassment. Tracy served as plaintiffs’ counsel in a reverse discrimination case challenging the constitutionality of the gifted education program in various school districts in Florida. As a result of her representation, Florida amended its statute to limit the use of race in the admission policies of such programs.

Education

• Boston University Law School – J.D., 1996
• University of Missouri, St. Louis – B.S., 1993

Memberships & Affiliations

• Sickle Cell Association of Texas Marc Thomas Foundation
• Houston Bar Association: Litigation Section and Construction Law Section
• State Bar of Texas: Construction Law Section
• The Association of Women Attorneys
• Bar Association of the Fifth Federal Circuit
• DRI – The Voice of the Defense Bar
• Greater Southwest Houston Chamber of Commerce
• Texas Association of Defense Counsel

Admissions

• State Bar of Texas
• United States District Courts: Northern, Eastern, Southern, and Western Districts of Texas

Biography

Charles Getman has more than 40 years of litigation experience representing medium and large-sized business clients in Texas and New York, with particular expertise in sophisticated commercial litigation in federal and state courts and arbitration, with an emphasis on major construction failures/disputes, intellectual property, and professional liability. Charles has worked with national, regional, and local property developers, contractors and vendors, professional and amateur sports leagues, teams and players, and businesses in commercial disputes such as multi-party construction design/defect, federal and state securities claims, industrial disputes, trade secrets and other intellectual property, and professional liability.

Education

• University of Houston – J.D., 1981
• State University of New York at Buffalo – B.A., 1978

Recognitions & Distinctions

• AV rated by Martindale-Hubbell peer review ratings, the highest rating possible.
• Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America® (2019–2026): Construction Law and Litigation – Construction

Representative Experience

• Represented a general contractor in arbitration against an NYSE-listed owner to recover unpaid fees on two West Texas mining projects valued at $140 million, plus related state court litigation.
• Represented a national property developer in a 13-party state court lawsuit involving a $60 million Houston development with a successful settlement.
• Represented a national medical equipment manufacturer in federal court in claims against a vendor regarding FDA approvals, with successful settlement.
• Represented a general contractor in federal court prosecuting trademark infringement. Trademark enforced.
• Represented a general contractor and its new employee who allegedly stole the prior employer’s confidential material. Claims dismissed.
• Represented an international industrial pump company prosecuting antitrust and related claims in federal court against a Fortune 500 industrial pump company.
• Represented a large institutional client’s multi-party state court prosecution of defective design and construction claims for a 33-story tower following Hurricane Ike and a later rain event.
• Represented South African, British, and American corporations in plaintiff’s product liability claims regarding refractory material in large industrial applications.
• Defended and prosecuted counterclaims in federal court for a specialized chemical manufacturing company to enforce trade secrets against its chief competitor.
• Represented a developer in $20 million-plus construction of dormitory buildings for a state university. Settled claims with the government owner, defended claims, and prosecuted the counterclaim for construction defect and delay with the client’s general contractor. Also prosecuted and settled malpractice claims against the client’s architect.
• Represented a technology purchaser/manufacturer against the original developer of a purchased technology. The developer was threatening to resell the technology to the manufacturer’s competitor. Obtained a preliminary injunction prohibiting the sale and thereafter settled the claims.
• Defended a governmental entity in an $11 million breach of construction contract claim. Obtained summary judgment dismissing that claim and succeeded on the counterclaim to recover all attorneys’ fees incurred, which was affirmed on appeal.
• Defended a general contractor against a claim of alleged defective construction in a breach of an underground high-pressure pipeline. Prosecuted and settled crossclaim against second-tier subcontractor.
• Represented a subcontractor in a jury trial to collect its unpaid contract balance and defend its allegedly defective work in the counterclaim.  Client’s $1.6 million judgment sustained on appeal.
• Represented an inventor and his company in an attorney malpractice suit for failure to timely file a patent application, resulting in a significant settlement. Another company patented the consumer electronics technology, and later became an industry standard.
• Defended a prime subcontractor in arbitration against the general contractor’s claim for allegedly defective work on a NASA construction project. Prosecuted counterclaims for delay and other damages.
• Participated in representing the Buffalo Sabres Hockey Club and represented high-profile professional football and hockey athletes.

Memberships & Affiliations

• State Bar of Texas: Construction Law Section
• Houston Bar Association: Construction Law Section
• State Bar of New York: Commercial Litigation (Former Member)

Admissions

• State Bar of Texas (1982)
• State Bar of New York (1988)
• All Federal District Courts in Texas, three of four Federal District Courts in New York
• United States Court of Appeals for the Second and Fifth Circuits
• United States Supreme Court

Biography

Patrick Garner is a litigator and trial attorney with extensive experience in employment law, construction, and commercial litigation, representing both Plaintiffs and Defendants.

Patrick serves as trusted legal counsel to a broad spectrum of businesses, from large corporations to small enterprises, advising employers on how to resolve, mitigate, and prevent issues before litigation arises. Despite his outstanding experience as a litigator, Patrick prides himself on protecting the client’s interests while keeping clients out of the courtroom whenever possible.

Clients value Patrick Garner’s attentive service and vigorous representation in matters of all sizes. He often represents contractors, design professionals, owners, design-builders, engineering procurement and construction contractors, lenders, and suppliers on a comprehensive mix of construction and employment matters in state and federal courts, as well as in arbitration and mediation. Patrick has experience in infrastructure projects such as highways, government offices and structures, wastewater facilities, power plants, oil refineries, and pipelines. He has experience with projects across the entertainment, life sciences, health care, hospitality, education sectors, religious facilities, high-rise buildings, and multi-family developments.

Patrick has been involved in matters in state and federal courts nationwide and has significant first-chair bench and jury trial experience. He has handled and argued appeals before state and federal courts. He has first chair experience in significant arbitrations in addition to first chair experience in state and federal administrative hearings.

In construction disputes, Patrick has prepared and defended claims in numerous areas of construction law, including contract default claims, payment disputes, bid contests, delays, acceleration and inefficiency claims, re-engineering and design-error claims, insurance coverage claims, OSHA citations, mechanic’s lien and payment bond claims.

On behalf of employers, Patrick has defended a variety of employment litigation and administrative claims, including claims asserting breach of fiduciary duty, fraud, wrongful termination, discrimination, harassment, retaliation, unemployment, wage and hour, and prevailing wage violations. He has also pursued the efficient resolution of disputes between parties through negotiations, workouts, and litigation, as needed.

Education

• South Texas College of Law – J.D., 1996
• Texas Christian University – B.A., 1989

Recognitions & Distinctions

• AV rated by Martindale Hubbell Peer Review, the highest rating possible.
• Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America® (2020–2026): Construction Law and Litigation – Construction

Representative Experience

• Represented private and publicly-traded pipeline companies in multi-million dollar fraud, delay, productivity, and breach-of-contract disputes related to construction of interstate natural gas pipelines, construction of related compressor stations, and remediation of pipeline rights-of-way.
• Represented a construction company in multiple lawsuits connected with a $150 million development. Lawsuits included geotechnical and structural issues as well as MEP design defects.
• Represented a hotel on structural and geotechnical design and defect matters.
• Arbitrated design and construction defect claims against an HVAC designer/contractor and a framing contractor on a multi-million dollar residence.
• Obtained a no-liability finding after defending a mobile home transport company against a serious, multi-plaintiff highway accident personal injury matter.
• Represented an individual crane operator against a major contractor on a breach of an employment contract.
• Resolved a gender discrimination claim against a multi-national employer.
• Represented a structural concrete contractor on contractual issues, workplace injury matters, and the successful negotiation and mitigation of OSHA citations.
• Represented a private K-8 school against a pregnancy discrimination claim.
• Represented a catering business/restaurant in multiple discrimination, unemployment, and wrongful termination claims.
• Advised and counseled medical personnel against a hospital in a matter involving wrongful suspension and misapplication of state regulations and guidelines.
• Counsel to an oil & gas services and equipment supplier on employment matters, employee handbooks, terminations, covenants not to compete, and OSHA safety issues.
• Act as legal counsel for a regional telecommunications company on all employment issues, including covenants not to compete, discrimination, workers’ compensation, and unemployment claims.
• Act as legal counsel to a nationwide chemical manufacturer and distributor, providing legal representation on all employment matters.
• Act as legal counsel throughout Texas for a nationally recognized foundation company. Successfully defended construction defect claims in litigation and arbitration.
• Act as legal counsel to local churches in construction contracts, personnel policies, and procedures.

Speaking Engagements & Presentations

• Presenter, “Construction PI: Are You the Hammer or the Nail?” — 39th Annual Advanced Personal Injury Law Course 2023

Publications

• We are Doing Good, But We Can Do Better – The Importance of Safety in Construction, Construction News Magazine, November 2023

Memberships & Affiliations

• State Bar of Texas: Litigation, Construction, and Labor & Employment Law Sections
• Houston Bar Association: Litigation, Construction, and Labor & Employment Law Sections
• College of the State Bar of Texas
• Defense Research Institute
• Texas Association of Defense Counsel
• Associated Builders & Contractors – Committee Member
• Associated General Contractors of America – Committee Member
• Society of Construction Law North America – Member

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
• United States Supreme Court

Community Involvement

• TCU Lettermen Association – Lifetime Member

Biography

Todd is a trusted legal advisor and experienced litigator known for providing practical and cost-effective solutions for clients in all types of business disputes and tort litigation.  He regularly represents businesses in the energy, construction and utility industries.  Todd’s practice is focused primarily on breach of contract and other complex commercial litigation matters, as well as personal injury suits involving wrongful death, premises liability and products liability claims.  Todd also advises clients on employment matters and handles cases involving employment contracts, separation from employment, breach of non-competition agreements, and claims of discrimination and wrongful termination.  Through the establishment of close working relationships with clients as well as acquiring in-depth understanding of their business and industry, Todd is committed to being in the best position possible to protect the client’s name and interests and help clients achieve their goals through implementation of effective legal strategies.

Education

• University of Houston Law Center – J.D., 2003
• Rhodes College – B.A., 2000

Representative Experience

• Represented well operator in high dollar contract dispute with drilling contractor arising out of drilling operations in the Marcellus Shale formation.
• Represented well service company in wrongful death action arising out of drilling rig fatality.
• Obtained summary judgment for hospice in lawsuit alleging discrimination, retaliation and violation of the Texas Occupations Code.
• Represented utility services company in suit alleging breach of a commercial lease agreement.
• Defended transportation and freight logistics company in tractor-trailer rollover suit.
• Represented environmental consulting company in suit alleging fraud and deceptive acts.
• Represented major oil company in several discrimination and retaliation lawsuits.
• Obtained summary judgment for utility services company in premises liability suit in which the plaintiff was severely injured by a steel rebar cage that collapsed on him at a jobsite.

Memberships & Affiliations

• State Bar of Texas
• Houston Bar Association: Litigation Section (Past Chair) and Oil & Gas Section
• Texas Young Lawyers Association
• Texas Young Professionals, Houston Chapter
• Young Professionals in Energy

Admissions

• State Bar of Texas
• State Bar of Florida
• United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit
• United States District Court: Southern District of Texas

Community Involvement

• Child Advocates, Inc.

Biography

Parker Fauntleroy is an experienced litigator and trial counselor whose practice primarily focuses on working with companies involved in catastrophic claims and complex disputes in Commercial Construction, Oil and Gas, Electrical, Communication and Gas Utilities, and Trucking Industries. Parker operates from a philosophy that protecting the client’s brand and business relationships is one of the most critical components of his work. He is a trusted advisor to clients, protecting and advancing their interests and bringing peace of mind on critical issues that might otherwise keep business owners up at night. Parker places great emphasis on acquiring an in-depth understanding of the client’s business model, and he develops expertise in the client’s particular business sector to marry industry know-how with optimal service. Parker leverages his experience to deliver practical and innovative solutions tailored to his clients’ needs. Known as a forward thinker, he offers proactive counsel to help prevent future challenges and protect the long-term success of their businesses.

Clients know Parker for his steadfast determination, tenacity, conscientious approach, creativity, and unwavering commitment. He has significant and successful experience resolving matters through skillful negotiations, both pre-suit and during litigation. Parker’s reputation is well known, and he has successfully tried numerous cases to verdict, providing his clients with the trial option when required.

Parker is firmly committed to helping shape the legal minds of the future, and he gives back to the community by sharing his wisdom and expertise. He has served as an Adjunct Professor of Civil Trial Advocacy at South Texas College of Law and has presented at numerous seminars and conferences.

Education

• South Texas College of Law – J.D., 1994
  – Order of the Barristers
  – Order of Lytae
• University of Texas at Austin – B.B.A., 1987

Recognitions & Distinctions

• Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America® (2015–2026): Construction Law, Personal Injury Litigation – Defendants, and Product Liability Litigation – Defendants
• Texas Super Lawyer, Thomson Reuters (2022–present)
• AV Rated by Martindale-Hubbell peer review ratings, the highest rating possible.

Memberships & Affiliations

• ABOTA (American Board of Trial Advocates)
• Houston Bar Association
• State Bar of Texas

Admissions

• State Bar of Texas
• United States District Courts: Northern, Southern, and Western Districts of Texas

Biography

Costa Economides’ practice focuses primarily on construction, civil litigation, and insurance defense. He has experience handling multi-party personal injury lawsuits, subrogation claims, and construction cases. Costa received his bachelor’s degree in Economics with a minor in business administration from Texas A&M University in 2016. He earned his law degree from South Texas College of Law in 2020.

Education

• South Texas College of Law – J.D., 2020
• Texas A&M University – B.S. Economics, 2016

Recognitions & Distinctions

• Recognized in Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® in America (2024–2026): Construction Law and Personal Injury Litigation – Defendants

Admissions

• State Bar of Texas (2020)

Community Involvement

• Active member of Annunciation Greek Orthodox Cathedral

Biography

Gregory Cokinos is a founder of Cokinos | Young, and he has earned a reputation as one of the preeminent lawyers in his field. Gregory’s practice includes all aspects (trial, dispute, and contract negotiations) of industrial and commercial construction, including pipelines, power plants, processing plants, refineries, highway construction, offshore production and drilling platforms, office buildings, high-rise condominiums, and schools. Gregory also has extensive experience in real estate transactions and development, having represented owners, developers, landlords, and tenants in all areas of commercial real estate acquisition, financing, development, leasing, and sale. His project involvement includes central business district office buildings, health care facilities, shopping centers, housing developments, and apartments.

Although his practice is concentrated in the area of construction and real estate development issues, Gregory has handled a wide range of litigation matters as well as contract negotiations, including significant cases in securities fraud, patent infringement, employment, banking, franchise agreements, and oil and gas. Gregory has also handled serious personal injury cases, including brain damage, permanent paralysis, and death.

Gregory devotes considerable time to the advancement of the industry. After serving as editor of the State Bar Construction Law Section Newsletter, he was instrumental in creating and organizing the Construction Law Journal, a joint publication by the Construction Law Section of the State Bar of Texas and The South Texas College of Law. He became the first editor of the journal, a position he held for close to two decades, until 2019. Gregory is a member of the American College of Construction Lawyers and was the first lawyer from Houston inducted into this prestigious organization. Gregory is also an arbitrator for the American Arbitration Association, on both the commercial and construction panels, and for the International Center for Dispute Resolution. Gregory is also a Department of Construction Science Lecturer with the College of Architecture, Texas A&M University, teaching COSC 465 – Advanced Topics in Construction Law since 2019.

Education

• South Texas College of Law – J.D., 1982
• Texas A&M University – B.B.A., 1979

Recognitions & Distinctions

• Chambers USA: “Star Individual” Ranked Lawyer in Texas Construction Law (2003–2025)
• Texas State Bar Construction Law Section Chair (2022–2023); Chair-Elect (2021–2022)
• Named by Thomson Reuters as one of The Top 100 Super Lawyers in the State of Texas every year since 2007
• Named 2018 Lawyer of the Year by Best Lawyers
• Named Texas Super Lawyer by Thomson Reuters every year since 2005. Each year, no more than 5 percent of lawyers in the state are selected to receive this honor
• AV rated by Martindale-Hubbell peer review ratings, the highest rating possible
• American College of Construction Lawyers, first Houston attorney selected and inducted into the prestigious, invitation-only association of the top 1% of construction lawyers in North America
• Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America® (2005–present): Construction Law, Commercial Litigation & Construction Litigation, Corporate Law, and Litigation – Construction
• Distinguished Alumni of Texas A&M (2022)
• Texas A&M Mays Business School Distinguished Alumni (2017)

Memberships & Affiliations

• American Arbitration Association: Panelist on Construction and Commercial Panels
• American Bar Association: Litigation, Construction Law, Business Law, Real Estate, Oil and Gas
• College of the State Bar of Texas
• Litigation Council of America Fellow
• Million Dollar Advocates Forum, Life Member
• Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum, Life Member
• State Bar of Texas: Litigation, Business Law, Real Estate, Entertainment and Sports Law
• Construction Law Section Newsletter: Editor (1997–2003)
• Construction Law Journal: Editor (2003–2020)
• Appointed as a member of the Construction Law Exam Inaugural Commission (2016), charged with drafting the board certification exam for construction law, and grading the exam for the Texas Bar of Legal Specialization
• Texas Bar Foundation
• Texas Trial Lawyers Association
• Texas Aggie Bar Association
• Association of General Contractors of America
• Associated Builders and Contractors of Houston
• Houston Contractors Association
• Houston Bar Association: Litigation, Construction Law, Business Law, Real Estate, Oil and Gas
• Houston Young Lawyers Association: Former Council Member
• District 4D Grievance Committee, Panel Chair
• Chair of 12th Man Foundation
• Board Member of the Association of Former Students (2012–2017)

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
• United States Supreme Court

Community Involvement

• Annunciation Greek Orthodox Cathedral Expansion, Construction Subcommittee Chair (1992–1995)
• Chair of $17.0mm Cathedral expansion of Annunciation Greek Orthodox Cathedral (2016–present)
• Served on the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Cathedral Parish Council (1986–1992; 2011–2017)

Biography

Craig Clendenin’s practice involves arbitration and litigation in state and federal trial and appellate courts throughout Texas. As a litigator, Craig has tried well over 150 jury trials to verdict in over a dozen counties throughout Texas and in all United States Federal Districts in Texas. He represents individuals, corporations, and business clients in claims focusing primarily on construction, real estate, and finance on behalf of Owners, General Contractors, and Subcontractors. In his 36 years of trying cases, his trial and arbitration experience has involved matters ranging from failed business ventures to securities, personal injury, toxic tort, environmental, trucking, and general contract law.

Education

• South Texas College of Law – J.D., 1983
• University of Texas at Austin – B.A., 1980

Recognitions & Distinctions

• Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America® (2024–2026): Commercial Litigation
• AV rated by Martindale-Hubbell peer review ratings, the highest rating possible.
• Board Certified in Civil Trial Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization since 1990.
• Named a Texas Super Lawyer in Construction Litigation by Thomson Reuters (2018–2024). Each year, no more than 5 percent of lawyers in the state are selected to receive this honor.

Representative Experience

• Successfully defended a general contractor in a jury trial in Jefferson County, Texas, in which the Owner of a Beaumont Refinery had asserted a $15,000,000.00 claim for welding defects and delays against the general contractor. The Owner ultimately settled with the general contractor after three weeks of testimony before foregoing its claims and agreeing to pay the general contractor the majority of the general contractor’s $2,500,000.00 counterclaim.
• Successfully represented a subcontractor who provided materials for a wind farm in Cameron County, Texas, against a general contractor. After a five-day arbitration, the Panel rejected the general contractor’s claims for delays and defects and awarded COKINOS’ client the totality of its claim against the general contractor in an amount exceeding $2,000,000.00.
• Successfully represented MK Constructors in an arbitration claim against an Owner for non-payment of dirt work performed in Jefferson County, Texas, in anticipation of construction of a residential subdivision. MK refused to perform any additional work until payment was made. In response, the Owner terminated the contract. MK filed a mechanic’s lien against the property in the amount of $978,000 and filed a claim. The Owner counter-sued for breach of contract, fraud, misrepresentation, and attorney’s fees. The Arbitration Panel determined the Owner was responsible for the first material breach of the contract and awarded MK over $1.3mm (including all attorneys’ fees) and denied the Owner’s counterclaims in their entirety.
• Ronquillo / Rubenstein v. Tharpe, 2019 WL 3335480 (Tex. App. – Corpus Christi 2019, pet. dismd)(successfully defended a disparagement claim using Texas Anti-SLAPP statute with recovery of attorney’s fees on behalf of clients).
• Byrd Bros., Inc. v. Marsh Buggies, Inc., 2013 WL 6095844 (Tex. App. – Houston [14^th Dist. 2013], pet. dsmd) (successfully represented a subcontractor on a bond claim against the general contractor and surety on a claim under the McGregor Act).
• Morrell Masonry Supply, Inc. v. Lupe’s Shenandoah Reserve, LLC, 363 S.W.3d 901 (Tex. App. – Beaumont 2012, no pet. (successfully overturned existing precedent regarding notice under the Texas Property Code, removing lien and recovering attorney’s fees for client).
• Sanders v. Herold, 217 S.W.3d 11 (Tex. App. – Houston [14th Dist.] 2006, pet den’d) (obtained summary judgment of parents being sued for failure to warn).
• Bill’s Dollar Store, Inc. v. Bean, 77 S.W.3d 367 (Tex. App. – Houston [14th Dist.] 2002, pet den’d) (obtained reversal and rendering of verdict against store owner in slip-and-fall matter).
• Sturges v. System Parking, Inc., 834 S.W.2d 472 (Tex. App. – Houston [14^th Dist.] 1992, no pet.)(obtained a reversal of summary judgment in favor of parking facility owner, rendering judgment in favor of broker culminating in settlement).

Memberships & Affiliations

• State Bar of Texas
• Houston Bar Foundation
• Houston Bar Association
• Harris County Bar Association

Admissions

• State Bar of Texas
• United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit
• United States District Courts: Eastern, Southern, and Western Districts of Texas