• handling H-1B professional worker visas, 
• O-1 extraordinary ability visas, 
• E-1/E-2 treaty investor, 
• L-1 transfer visas,  
• TN temporary work visas for citizens of Canada & Mexico, 
• E-3 professional worker visas for Australian nationals, 
• permanent residence applications based upon labor certification, and
• extraordinary ability aliens, and multinational managers and executives.  

Education

• J.D., Houston College of Law (formerly South Texas College of Law), 2007

- Hispanic Law Student Association

- Alternative Dispute Resolution Advocate, Regional Finalist, 2006

• B.B.A., International Law, St. Mary's university in San Antonio, 2001
   

Court Admissions

• State Bar of Texas, 2007

• State Bar of Texas
• Dallas Bar Association
• American Bar Association
• American Immigration Lawyers Association

Publications and Speaking Engagements

• “H-1B Visa Alternatives & Legislative Update,” co-presenter, Cowles & Thompson webinar, Dallas, TX, April 2017
• “The State of US Immigration Under a Trump Administration,” co-presenter, Cowles & Thompson webinar, Dallas, TX, March 2017
• “J-1 Waiver Options & Executive Order Impact,” co-presenter, Cowles & Thompson webinar, Dallas, TX, February 2017
• Plano Citizenship Day, volunteer attorney, Plano, TX, February 2017
• “The New Form I-9 and Compliance,” co-presenter, Cowles & Thompson webinar, Dallas, TX, January 2017
• “What to Expect with the New Administration,” interviewee, NXA Radio, Dallas, TX, December 2016 
• “Inmigración Bajo la Administración Trump,” co-presenter, Cowles & Thompson seminar, Brookhaven College, Dallas, TX, December 2016
• “The Upcoming USCIS Deadline and How to Prepare,” co-presenter, Cowles & Thompson webinar, Dallas, TX, December 2016
• “Eighth Annual Labor Rights Week” at the Mexican Consulate in Dallas, TX, August 2016
• “Immigration Law – The Nuts and Bolts,” CLE, Tarrant County Bar Association, Fort Worth, TX, August 12, 2016
• “Non-Immigrant Investor/Trader Options (E-1/E-2),” CLE, Dallas Bar Association, Dallas, TX, April 11, 2016
• Naturalization Clinic for LPRs, attorney participant, Mexican Consulate, Dallas, TX, February 6, 2016
• "Avance Dallas" - Nancy Moseley Elementary, Dallas, TX, January 20, 2016
• “Business Immigration 101” Texas A&M University School of Law, Fort Worth, TX, September 22, 2015
• “Seventh Annual Labor Rights Week,” Mexican Consulate in Dallas, TX, August 2015
• "Know Your Rights - Domestic Violence," Celebration of International Woman's Day 2014 - Presented by The Women's Institute (Instituto de la Mujer), Irving, TX, March 8, 2014
• "Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) and U visas," Stop the Violence Campaign, Mexican Consulate, Dallas, TX, February 5, 2014.
• Immigration Information Session/Update, Mexican Consulate, Dallas, TX,August 28, 2013
• General Immigration Seminar, Mexican Consulate, Dallas, TX, August 17, 2013
• “Immigration Update Regarding Reform, DACA, Removal, etc.,” panelist, Mexican Consulate, Dallas, TX, April 27, 2013
• "Martes de Inmigración," interviewee,Telefutura’s Viva La Mañana, Univisión, Dallas, TX, April 16, 2013
• Immigration Presentation (General), panelist, Bryan Adams High School, DISD, Dallas, TX, February 21, 2013
• "Deferred Action, Provisional Waiver, Immigration Reform," Es El Momento Forum with DISD, Fannin Elementary School, Dallas, TX, January 30, 2013
• "Martes de Inmigración," interviewee, Telefutura’s Viva La Mañana, Univisión, Dallas, TX, January 29, 2013
• “Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) and U visas,” panelist, Fort Worth Police Department with Women's Institute (Instituto de la Mujer), Fort Worth, TX, November 17, 2012 
• "Las Llaves del Éxito" on Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, University of North Texas - Dallas Campus, Dallas, TX, October 27, 2012 
• “Es el Momento,” co-presenter, Education Forum, Mountainview Community College, Dallas, TX, October 13, 2012 

• “Es el Momento” panelist, Education Forum, Fort Worth, TX, October 9, 2012
• “Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA),” panelist, Mexican Consulate, Dallas, TX, September 8, 2012

Glenda O. Brewer is a Shareholder and Section Head of the Firm's Estate Planning, Wills and Probate Practice Group as well as a member of the Corporate and Business Law Practice Group.  Her practice consists primarily of representation of a wide variety of clients in the areas of probate, trusts, wills, estate planning, and general corporate representation.

• J.D., Southern Methodist University Dedman School of Law, 1983
• B.A., History, summa cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa, Southern Methodist University, 1979

• State Bar of Texas, 1983
• U.S. District Court, Northern District of Texas

• State Bar of Texas
• American Bar Association
• Dallas Bar Association

• AV Peer Review (Pre-eminent), rated by Martindale-Hubbell®.
• August 2005 - Glenda Brewer was recognized for her continued service to the Legal Studies Division of El Centro College in Dallas. She was presented with a longevity award for teaching 20 semesters of courses to prospective paralegals.

• Ms. Brewer lectures and teaches on “Wills, Trusts, and Probate;” “Oil and Gas;” and “Physicians and the Law.” She has appeared on Good Morning Texas and several radio spots discussing medical directives and various other issues.
• In April 2005, when looking for experts to discuss end-of-life medical decisions during coverage of the Terri Schiavo case, local radio and television stations and print publications, as well as Internet news sites and syndicated news services, all turned to Glenda Brewer.  She provided the answers about living wills (known in Texas as a "Directives to Physicians") that were on the forefront of many American minds.  Glenda's message was, "It is important to make your wishes known now to those who are closest to you now, when you are able, and then put those same wishes in writing.  Having a prepared living will is not an ironclad guarantee your wishes will be followed, but it creates a clear line of authority on who will be asked to make the decisions for you."

As a shareholder in the Tort, Insurance and Commercial Litigation sections of Cowles & Thompson, Greg focuses his practice in the areas of product liability, commercial litigation and transportation.  He has over 26 years of experience representing corporate clients in a broad array of matters, including aviation product liability defense, coordination of the national defense in product liability claims, defending wrongful death actions, prosecuting and defending contractual disputes, contract negotiations and federal civil/seizure and forfeiture cases.  In doing so, he has successfully represented clients at trial in both state and federal courts throughout Texas.  Greg also provides general business counsel to national product manufacturers and aviation-related enterprises, flight schools and FAA certificated on demand and commuter air carriers and repair stations.
 

• Deerfield Academy, 1979
• B.A. in Economics, Bucknell University, 1983
• J.D., Washington College of Law, American University, 1989

• State Bar of Texas, 1992
• State Bar of Pennsylvania, 1990
• U.S. District Court, Northern District of Texas
• U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Texas
• U.S. District Court, Western District of Texas
• U.S. District Court, Southern District of Texas

• Member, State Bar of Texas
• Member, Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association
• Member, American Bar Association
• Member, Dallas Bar Association
• Member, Defense Research Institute (Chair, Aviation Specialized Litigation Group, Products Liability Committee)

Selected by Thomson Reuters Super Lawyers® to the list of Texas Super Lawyers© in the field of Business Litigation law.  2009-2018

Publications and Speaking Engagements

• Panel Speaker, “Aviation” American Conference Institute, 2012
• Moderator:  “Product Liability Concerns and Strategies From the Perspective of a Distributor/Repair Service, Its Underwriter and Agent,” Aviation Specialized Litigation Group, Defense Research Institute’s Product Liability Conference, 2008
• “Hidden Cargo Brings Woes to Unsuspecting Companies,” Dallas Business Journal, August 3, 2007
• Author and Presenter, “GARA: Summary Caselaw Update,” Aviation Specialized Litigation Group, Defense Research Institute’s Product Liability Conference, 2007
• Author and Presenter, “Products Liability Update,” Cowles & Thompson’s Tort Litigation Update Seminar, 2003
• Author and Presenter, “Chapter 82: Manufacturer’s Duty to Indemnify,”  Cowles & Thompson’s Risk Transfer Seminar, 2002
• Author and Presenter, “Introduction to Aviation Law,” Cowles & Thompson’s Transportation Litigation Seminar, 1999

Jim E. Cowles is a Shareholder in the Commercial / Business and Tort Litigation Sections of Cowles & Thompson.  His experience of more than 550 jury trials has rendered him the senior trial attorney in the firm, with a practice consisting of representation of a wide variety of clients in the areas of commercial litigation, professional liability and construction law.

• L.L.B., University of Texas at Austin, 1961
• B.B.A., University of Texas at Austin, 1958

• State Bar of Texas, 1961
• United States Supreme Court
• U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit
• U.S. District Court, Northern District of Texas
• U.S. District Court, Southern District of Texas
• U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Texas
• U.S. District Court, Western District of Texas
• Texas Supreme Court
• All State Courts

• Represents nationwide retail business in multiple class action lawsuits, involving wage and hour disputes, alleged violations of state laws regulating medical professionals, and claims of improper sales taxes on pharmaceuticals.

• Representation of national retail business in various construction law matters, dealing with construction and product defect allegations against engineers and building product manufacturers.

• General business and corporate representation of major nationwide retail corporation in litigation arising out of claims of property damage and environmental issues on commercial property.

• Extensive representation of lawyers and law firms in lawsuits alleging legal malpractice and professional negligence.

• State Bar of Texas
• Defense Research Institute
• American Bar Association
• Texas Association of Defense Counsel
• International Association of Defense Counsel
• American Board of Trial Advocates, former member
• College of the State Bar of Texas, former member
• Committee for a Qualified Judiciary (1992-2009)
• Patrick E. Higgenbotham American Inn of Court, Master Emeritus
• Texas Bar Foundation, Life Fellow

• Honored by Texas Lawyer Magazine in June, 2010, as one of the “25 Greatest Texas Lawyers of the Past Quarter Century”
• Named as Trial Lawyer of the Year, Bench Bar Conference, Dallas Bar Association, 2005
• AV Preeminent rating, Martindale-Hubbard, 2011
• Named to the “Top 5% of America’s Most Honored Professionals,” American Registry, 2011
• Honored by the Dallas Bar Foundation with the 2015 Fellows Justinian Award
• Named as a Local Trial Lawyer Legend, Tort and Insurance Practice Section, Dallas Bar Association, 2010
• Named as one of the “Top 12 Lawyers in Dallas,” D Magazine, 1997
• Who’s Who in American Law, 2004-2017
• Who’s Who in America, 2000-2017
• Selected as the “Lawyer of the Year, 2014 Dallas Personal Injury Litigation-Defendants,” by The Best Lawyers in America©, 2014
• Selected for inclusion in “500 Leading Lawyers in America,” Lawdragon, 2006
• Named as a Legend of the Law, Tarrant County Trial Lawyers Association, 2000
• President’s Award, Texas Association of Defense Counsel, 1993
• Selected for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America©, Legal Malpractice Law-Defendants, Personal Injury Litigation-Defendants, 1993-2019
• Selected for inclusion in Texas Super Lawyers© --Texas Top 100 and Dallas/Ft. Worth Top 100, by Thomson Reuters Super Lawyers®, 2003-2017
• Selected as a “Top Rated Lawyer in Commercial Litigation,” American Lawyer Media, 2012
• Selected for inclusion in Texas Super Lawyers©-Business Litigation Corporate Counsel Edition, by Thomson Reuters Super Lawyers®, 2003-2018
• “True Texas Legend in Insurance Law,” Texas Bar CLE and the Insurance Law Section, State Bar of Texas, 2010
• Selected for inclusion in “Top 15 Business-Defense Lawyers in Dallas/Ft. Worth,” by the Dallas Business Journal, 2005
• Selected for inclusion in Best Lawyers in Dallas by D Magazine, 1997-2017
• Selected for the Texas Lawyer Go-To Guide, 2007
• Selected for inclusion in “3,000 Leading Lawyers in America,” Lawdragon, 2006
• Named as one of “7 Go-To Lawyers in Texas” for Legal Malpractice Defense, Texas Lawyer Weekly, 2002
• Inducted into the “Honorary Serjeants Inn of Dallas-Fort Worth Inn of Court”
• Named as one of the 50 Lions of the Texas Bar by Texas Lawbook in 2015
• Awarded a Citizens Certificate of Merit and named as Honorary Dallas Police Officer by the Dallas Police Department, 1971

• “Revenge of the Carrier:  When Lawyers Become the Target of Legal Malpractice in Cases Involving Insurance,” 3rd Annual Advanced Insurance Law Course, State Bar of Texas, March 30 31, 2006
• “Apples & Oranges or Apples & Apples,” Ethics, 2004 Spring Meeting, TADC, April 14-18, 2004
• Legends of The Law Seminar, speaker, September 2000
• “30 Minute Voir Dire,” Collin County Bench and Bar Conference, June 1999
• “Putting it All Together,” Defense Research Institute, March 1998
• “Closing Argument,” Young Lawyers Seminar, Texas Association of Defense Counsel, June 1997
• “Winning in the Beginning - Defense Techniques for Voir Dire and Opening Statement,” Defense Research Institute, April 1997
• “Checklist for Avoiding Legal Malpractice,” Southern Methodist University School of Law, February 1997
• “The Biggest Developments in Insurance Law,” Texas Lawyer, December 16, 1996
• “Alternative Fee Proposals,” Texas Association of Defense Counsel Seminar, August 1996
• “Developments in Insurance,” Texas Lawyer, December 18, 1995
• “Child Molestation Damage Claims,” Spring Seminar, Texas Association of Defense Counsel, 1995
• “Choosing and Courting a Jury,” State Bar of Texas Seminar, April 1995
•  “Responsibilities of Senior and Junior Attorneys,” Texas Bar Foundation and The Texas Center for Legal Ethics and Professionalism, Texas Wesleyan and SMU Law Schools, 1994
• “Professionalism,” Texas Tech, 1993
• “Jury Verdicts: A Sign of the Times or a Disaster,” Fall Seminar, Texas Association of Defense Counsel, 1993
• “Anatomy of a Trial Lawyer,” Rookie Seminar, Texas Association of Defense Counsel, 1993
• “Voir Dire and Jury Selection in a Medical Malpractice Case,” Litigating the Medical Malpractice Case, Southern Methodist University, 1993
• “Effective Pretrial Strategy,” Learning from the Masters Seminar, Dallas Bar Association, 1992
• “Trial Demonstration,” Southwestern Legal Foundation: Academy of American and International Law, 1991
• “Medical Malpractice,” University of Texas Medical School, 1991
• “Medicine for Lawyers,” State Bar of Texas, 1991
• “Current Issues in Medical Malpractice Cases,” Tarrant County Civil Trial Lawyers Association, 1991
• “Firm Economics,” Texas Association of Defense Counsel, 1991
• “Cross-Examining Economic Experts,” Texas Association of Defense Counsel, 1991

Hayley Cutler is an Associate with the Insurance Litigation, Tort Litigation, and the Transportation and Trucking practices.  Her experience includes the successful defense of a railroad company against personal injury claims under the Federal Employers Liability Act.  During law school, she interned with the Harris County District Attorney’s office, assisting with research, drafting, and trial preparation.

• Baylor Law Review
• National Pretrial Competition finalist

• Phi Beta Kappa Honor Society

State Bar of Texas, 2017
Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals
U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas
U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas
U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas
U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas

Gracen Daniel is an Associate in our Plano office, and practices in the firm’s Commercial/Business Litigation, Construction, Family, and the Corporate and Business Law sections.  She is a graduate of the SMU Dedman School of Law. During law school, she served as a judicial intern for the Honorable Judge Amos Mazzant, III in the U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Texas.

Education

•  J.D., Southern Methodist University Dedman School of Law, 2019
• SMU Dean’s Scholarship Recipient
• SMU Board of Advocates – Master Level Advocate
• B.S., Agricultural Communications, summa cum laude, with Honors from the Honors College, Texas Tech University, 2016

Admissions

• State Bar of Texas, 2019 
• U.S. District Court, Northern District of Texas

• Texas Bar Association (Insurance Law & Business Law Sections)
• Dallas Bar Association (Business Litigation Section)
• Dallas Women Lawyers Association
• Dallas Association of Young Lawyers
• Chi Omega Alumnae of Dallas

Education

• J.D., cum laude, SMU Dedman School of Law, 2014
• B.S., magna cum laude, Business Administration, Saint Louis University, 2011

Admissions

• State Bar of Texas, 2014
• U.S. District Court, Northern District of Texas

Representative Matters

• Successful jury trial in which the plaintiff sought damages at $7 million from our client franchisee and franchisee’s employee for injuries arising from a motor vehicle accident.  We obtained summary judgment on claims against the corporate franchisor and gross negligence claims against the franchisee and its employee.  By stipulating liability and arguing responsibility for damages was limited to a specific time frame, the resulting award was less than $200,000. 2018
• Successful jury trial in which plaintiff sought damages in excess of $5 million for alleged injuries arising out of a trucking accident with our client, an oil field services company.  By stipulating to liability and contesting the plaintiff’s alleged brain injury, we limited damages to those relevant to the plaintiff’s uncontested spinal injury, which were a fraction of those sought by the plaintiff from the West Texas jury.  2018
• Successful bench trial win and take-nothing judgment for our client, a private contractor, in a case where the plaintiff alleged that our client damaged plaintiff’s property while performing repairs to streets and sidewalks.  2017
• Successful jury trial win and take-nothing judgment for our client, a retailer, in a case where the plaintiff alleged assault by an employee and sought in excess of $5 million in damages.  2016

• State Bar of Texas, Appellate Section and Litigation Section
• Dallas Bar Association
• Dallas Association of Young Lawyers, Director
• American Bar Association
• William “Mac” Taylor American Inn of Court, Associate
   

• Selected for inclusion as a Rising Star by Thomson Reuters^® Super Lawyers^®, 2020.

Casey Erick is a Shareholder and focuses on Commercial Litigation and Employment Law.  He has represented clients in both litigation and transactional matters that span across commercial law, labor and employment, real estate, consumer protection, and general litigation including, but not limited to breach of contract, corporate trade secret theft, tortious interference, defamation, personal injury, fraud, and various other kinds of civil litigation.

• Order of the Barristers

State Bar of Texas, 2002
Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals
U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas
U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas
U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas
U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas

• Sprowl v. Stiles, No. 05-18-01058-CV, 2019 Tex. App. LEXIS 6748 (Tex. App.—Dallas Aug. 5, 2019).
• Stride Staffing v. Antonio Holloway, LEXIS 7846 (Tex. App.—Dallas 2015) (petition for review denied by Holloway v. Stride Staffing, LEXIS 961 (Tex. 2015).
• City of Balch Springs v. Austin, 315 S.W.3d 219 (Tex. App.—Dallas 2010).
• Moore v. City of Wylie, 319 S.W.3d 778 (Tex. App.—El Paso 2010).
• Denton County v. Beynon, 283 S.W.3d 329 (Tex. 2009).
• City of Corsicana v. Stewart, 249 S.W.3d 412 (Tex. 2008) (per curiam).
• Barr v. AAA Tex., LLC., 167 S.W.3d 32 (Tex. App.—Waco2005, no pet.).
• Ramsey v. Cravey, LEXIS 5724 (Tex. App.—San Antonio 2004).
• Sheila Elliott v. S&S Emergency Training Solutions, Inc. d/b/a/ Emergency Medical Training Services, No. 05-16-01373-CV (Tex. App.—Dallas 2017) (memorandum opinion not designated for publication).

State Bar of Texas

Dallas Bar Association

• Selected to Thomson Reuters^® Super Lawyers^® List of Rising Stars, 2014-2017.
• Million Dollar Advocates Forum, 2013.  The Forum is limited to attorneys who have won million- and multi-million-dollar verdicts, awards, and settlements.  Fewer than 1% of U.S. lawyers are members.

• “Workplace Drama and Conflict:  Legal Solutions for Tricky Situations, National Business Institute,” webinar, California MCLE, April 2019
• “Ethics in Law – a Snapshot of History in the United States,” Dallas Association of Paralegals, Dallas, TX, March 2019
• “Employment Litigation:  Summary Judgment Motion Strategies – Leveraging Discovery Tools, Statements of Fact, and Timing in Discrimination, Harassment, and Retaliation Claims,” Strafford webinar, November 2018
• “Common Sense Strategies Every Business Can Deploy to Protect Your Employees and Your Company,” Stride Staffing, Irving, TX, February 2018

Brian T. Farrington is a Shareholder and Section Head of the Firm's Employment Law Practice Group.  His practice consists of transactional work advising and representing management concerning employment law.  Principal practice areas are Fair Labor Standards Act and Equal Employment Opportunity laws.  Also, Texas Workforce Commission unemployment eligibility, government contracts labor standards (Davis Bacon Act, Service Contract Act), OSHA 11(c), and state wage payment laws.  He also handles employment-related mediation.

During Mr. Farrington’s career, he has represented hundreds of employers in investigations conducted by U.S. Department of Labor, Wage and Hour Division under FLSA.  He has prepared dozens of position statements annually in response to EEOC/state discrimination and harassment charges.  He has additional experience in responding to complaints under OSHA 11(c), state wage payment laws.  Mr. Farrington has also engaged as an expert witness in more than 50 cases in federal and state court.  In the 1980’s, he was an Investigator/Compliance Officer in Chicago and later promoted to Assistant District Director in the Dallas Office of Wage-Hour where he supervised over 5,000 investigations.  Mr. Farrington is noted for his exceptional ability as a speaker and trainer.  He has taught sessions on the FLSA for the State Bar of Texas and Arkansas, and for the Dallas Bar Association.  He has addressed groups such as the Society of Human Resource Management, the Texas Payroll Conference, attendees at AADP's "Meeting of the Minds" national conference, Ceridian Corporation's "Insights" national conference, local chapters of the Human Resources Associations, American Payroll Association, American Compensation Association, and many others.

• J. D., Texas Wesleyan University School of Law, 1994
• M.A., University of Chicago, 1974
• B.A., summa cum laude,  University of Dallas, 1973

• Admitted to State Bar of Texas, 1994
• U.S. District Court, Northern District of Texas|U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit

• March 2013 - Brian Farrington settles wage dispute.  A Houston-area employer was investigated by the Wage and Hour Division of the U. S. Department of Labor (“DOL”).  DOL told the employer it was in violation of the overtime provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act (“FLSA”), the federal minimum wage and overtime law, and owed in excess of $500,000 in back wages.  The company’s local counsel called in Brian Farrington of Cowles and Thompson.  Brian got the case settled for $45.00. Needless to say, the client and the local attorney were very happy with the outcome.

• State Bar of Texas
• Dallas Bar Association

For years 2016 and 2017, Brian Farrington has been listed by Best Lawyers® (a Woodward/White, Inc. publication) as one of the Best Lawyers in America in the field of Employment Law-Management.

Brian is noted for his exceptional ability as a speaker and trainer.  He has taught sessions on the FLSA for the State Bars of Texas and Arkansas, and for the Dallas Bar Association.  He has addressed groups such as the Society of Human Resource Management, the Texas Payroll Conference; attendees at AADP's "Meeting of the Minds" national conference, Ceridian Corporation's "Insights" national conference, local chapters of the Human Resources Associations, American Payroll Association, American Compensation Association, and many others.  Recent presentations include:

EEO Basics, Texas Payroll Conference, 2018

FLSA and Exempt Employees, Texas Payroll Conference, 2018

FLSA and Non-Exempt Employees, Texas Payroll Conference, 2018

Nov. 12, 2015 - Legal Risk Management: Proactively Dealing With Workplace Issues

Nov. 6, 2014 - Exemptions from Fair Labor Standards Act

Nov. 6, 2014 - Texas Payday Law

Nov. 3, 2014 - Avoiding Workplace Pitfalls Part I - Wage and Hour Enforcement

Zachary Faulkner is an Associate in the Tort Litigation section.  He is a graduate of SMU Dedman School of Law, where he was Senior Article Editor of the Science and Technology Law Review, and was a member of the SMU Pro Bono Honor Roll and the State Bar of Texas Law Student Pro Bono College.  Zach is an accredited attorney for the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.

Education

• J.D., Southern Methodist University Dedman School of Law, 2018
• B.A., Southwestern University, 2014

Admissions

• State Bar of Texas, 2019
• U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas

• State Bar of Texas
• Texas Trial Lawyers Association

Charles A. Green is a Shareholder in the Tort and Insurance and the Commercial Litigation Practice Groups of Cowles & Thompson. His practice involves the representation of a wide range of clients in the areas of tort and commercial litigation, transportation law and toxic torts.

Mr. Green has given numerous lectures and presentations at various seminars, including such topics as direct and cross examination of doctors, selecting a jury, taking depositions of the opposing party, avoiding bad faith and toxic torts.

Mr. Green is a member of the State Bar of Texas, American Bar Association, the Dallas Bar Association, Dallas Association of Defense Counsel, Texas Association of Defense Counsel, and Defense Research Institute. He received his B.A. degree, cum laude, in 1976 from the University of North Texas and his J.D. degree in 1980 from The University of Texas School of Law. He was admitted to the State Bar of Texas in 1980 and is admitted to practice in all of the United States District Courts of Texas.
 

• J.D., University of Texas At Austin School of Law, 1980
• B.A., cum laude, University of North Texas, 1976

• Admitted to the State Bar, 1980
• U.S. District Court, Northern District of Texas
• U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Texas
• U.S. District Court, Southern District of Texas
• U.S. District Court, Western District of Texas
   

• Representation of corporate and individual clients in defense of catastrophic injury and death claims arising out of industrial, transportation and mass transit accidents.

• Representation of corporate and individual clients in defense of product liability litigation.

• Representation of corporate clients in defense of mass tort product liability litigation, including asbestos, silica, hazardous chemical, and environmental related claims.

• Representation of corporate and individual clients in construction, commercial, and business litigation and disputes.

• Member, State Bar of Texas
• Member, Defense Research Institute
• Member, Texas Association of Defense Counsel
• Member, Dallas Association of Defense Counsel
• Member, American Bar Association
• Member, Dallas Bar Association

Since 2016, Chuck has been selected by Best Lawyers® as one of The Best Lawyers in America© in the field of Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants.

Scott P. Hazen is a Shareholder in the Dallas office of Cowles & Thompson and has more than 30 years of legal experience and has successfully defended clients in a wide variety of litigation including:  toxic/mass torts, product liability, personal injury, medical malpractice, construction defect, professional liability, employment, and creditors rights.

Scott has spent the majority of his career focusing on toxic torts/environmental, product liability, and personal injury litigation.  He has represented a wide variety of public and private sector companies including manufacturers, lenders, service providers, premises owners, suppliers, and distributors.  Scott has successfully defended toxic exposure cases involving asbestos, diacetyl, hydrogen sulfide; mortar/mixed dust, benzene, mineral spirits, silica, legionella, and other chemicals.  Scott has also defended a number of fire damage cases involving refineries, oil field equipment, and land owners.  In addition, Scott has extensive experience handling large dockets, and multi-district litigation.

Education

• J.D., University of Tulsa School of Law, 1986
• B.A., The University of Texas, 1982

Admissions

• State Bar of Texas, 1987
• United States Supreme Court
• U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit
• U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas
• U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas
• U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas
• U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas

• State Bar of Texas
• Dallas Bar Association
• Defense Research Institute

Speaking Events

• Director, Advanced Creditors Rights Course(s), State Bar of Texas CLE
• Computers: Building a 21st Century Practice, State Bar of Texas CLE
• FIRREA’S Administrative Claims Process and Anti-Injunctive Provisions, State Bar of Texas CLE
• Dealing with the FDIC and Resolution Trust Corporation as Opponents, State Bar of Texas CLE
• Medicare Secondary Payer Rules and Mandatory Reporting Requirements
• The Pitfalls of Incomplete Medical Records and the Effect on Medical Malpractice Claims, Baylor Medical Center

Sim Israeloff is a Senior Shareholder with more than 30 years of trial experience, and is Section Head of the Cowles and Thompson Commercial/Business Litigation Practice Group.  His practice is devoted to commercial and complex business litigation in state and federal courts.  He represents U.S. and foreign businesses and individuals in litigation and arbitration involving business transactions, real estate, partnerships, franchises, securities, intellectual property, injunctions, and probate matters.  Sim is a frequent writer and speaker on business litigation and trial tactics and serves as the firm's legal counsel.

Mr. Israeloff is Board Certified in Civil Trial Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization and is a member of the American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA).  Since 2007, Mr. Israeloff has been listed in The Best Lawyers in America, by Woodward/White, Inc., in the areas of Commercial Litigation, Litigation-Construction, Litigation-Intellectual Property, Litigation-Patent, and Litigation-Real Estate.  In 2010 he was named to the Lawdragon 3000 Leading Lawyers in America.  He was has also been included on the Texas Super Lawyers list, a Thomson Reuters service, since 2003 in the areas of Business Litigation, Class Action/Mass Tort, and Intellectual Property Litigation.

Contract Disputes

• Partnerships, franchises, co-tenancies
• Business sales, acquisitions, buyouts, dissolutions, successor liability
• Finance, loans, security interests, foreclosures
• Defective performance, warranties, commissions, UCC issues

Business Torts

• Securities, stock fraud, misrepresentation, concealment
• Tortious interference, unfair competition, civil conspiracy
• Alter ego, fiduciary duty, fraudulent transfers
• Preemptive rights, oppression of minority shareholders
• Lender liability, usury

Real Estate Litigation

• Sales, leases, financing, title insurance, property damage, mold
• Investor disputes, mismanagement, self-dealing
• Easements, surveys, boundary disputes
• Condemnation, eminent domain

Intellectual Property Litigation

• Patents, trademarks, copyrights, Lanham Act
• Misappropriation, trade secrets
• Injunctions, accountings, disgorgement, lost profits

Employment Litigation

• FLSA wage and hour, overtime claims
• Discrimination

Class Action Litigation

Arbitration

• Representing parties in AAA commercial arbitrations
• Serving as a party-appointed arbitrator

• J.D., with honors, The University of Texas School of Law, 1983
  • Associate Editor, Texas Law Review
• B.B.A., Accounting, with highest honors, The University of Texas, 1980
  • Phi Delta Phi, member
  • Beta Alpha Psi, Accounting Honor Society, member

• State Bar of Texas
• U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit
• U.S. Court of Federal Claims
• U.S. District Court, Northern District of Texas
• U.S. District Court, Southern District of Texas
• U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Texas
• U.S. District Court, Western District of Texas

• Successfully defended an electronics manufacturer against a $7 million patent infringement claim for anti-shoplifting tags and antennas, winning a unanimous jury verdict finding no infringement. The result was reportedly the first defense jury verdict in a patent case in the Eastern District of Texas.

• Represents foreign businesses and individuals in U.S. litigation of business disputes.
  • Represented Norwegian manufacturer of card-key products in jury trial against $11 million claim for alleged breach of contract and tortious interference.
  • Represented Mexican electric utility and its insurer in suit for damages to failed gas turbine generator in Mexico.

• Represents real estate investors and managers in disputes involving real property including improper management, lenders and borrowers, easements and title disputes and others.

• Represents partners, joint venturers and franchisees in litigation involving partnership and franchise disputes, fiduciary duties and business separations.
  • Represented franchisee in arbitration claim under the American Arbitration Association for losses allegedly due to breaches of contract and fiduciary duty.

• Obtained favorable settlement, as well as compensation for services rendered, on behalf of information technology consulting company in defense of a $4 million claim for alleged misrepresentation.

• Successfully defended municipality at trial against a challenge to a city ordinance. Obtained a judgment upholding the ordinance and ordering the challenger to pay unpaid access fees and attorney's fees.

• Successfully defended insurance company at trial against a $3.2 million insurance coverage claim arising out of the insured's intentional criminal acts.

• Successfully defended seven doctors in a jury trial for alleged violation of preemptive stock rights.

• Served as arbitrator through the International Centre for Dispute Resolution regarding the application of life insurance proceeds on a business owner in Peru.

• Defended trustee in probate dispute over the validity of Community Property Agreement and proper distribution of trust proceeds.

• Represented commercial pool company in jury trial against claims for misappropriation and violations of the Lanham Act.

• State Bar of Texas, Litigation Section
• American Bar Association, Section of Litigation
• Dallas Bar Association
• Dallas Bar Foundation, Sustaining Life Fellow
• Patrick E. Higginbotham American Inn of Court, Former Barrister
• City of Fairview, Texas, Former of Mayor (2003 to 2013)
   

• AV Peer Review (Pre-eminent®), rated by Martindale Hubbell
• Best Lawyers in America© -- Commercial Litigation, Litigation for Intellectual Property, Patent, and Real Estate, Best Lawyers®; selected for inclusion, 2007-2018
• Texas Super Lawyers ©, Thomson Reuters Super Lawyers®; selected for inclusion, 2003-2018
• Elected to the American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA), 2016

ABOTA is a national organization of leading trial lawyers and judges dedicated to the preservation of civil jury trials.  Membership is by invitation only.  Qualifying members must have considerable jury trial experience and a reputation for civility, integrity and professionalism to help younger attorneys achieve a higher level of trial advocacy.  ABOTA’s members include lawyers from both plaintiff and defense bars as well as judges in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico.

• Named a Fellow of the Litigation Counsel of America, 2016

The organization is a trial lawyer honorary society composed of less than one-half of one percent of American lawyers.  Fellowship is by invitation only.  Fellows are selected based upon excellence and accomplishment in litigation, both at the trial and appellate levels, and superior ethical reputation.

David A. Johnson is a Senior Shareholder in the Tort and Commercial Litigation Sections of Cowles & Thompson. Mr. Johnson's practice areas include premises liability litigation, product liability defense, labor and employment litigation, healthcare litigation, and commercial and complex business litigation. 

• J.D., cum laude, Texas Tech University School of Law, 2001
  o Student Writing Editor, Law Review, 2000 – 2001
  o Member, Phi Delta Phi, 1999-2001
  o Dean’s Executive Award, 2001
  o Scribe’s Award, Law Review, 2001
• B.S., Political Science, Texas A&M University, 1998
   

• State Bar of Texas, 2001
• U.S. District Court, Northern District of Texas
• U.S. District Court, Southern District of Texas
• U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Texas
• U.S. District Court, Western District of Texas

• Obtained multiple Summary Judgments and complete dismissals of premises liability claims in Dallas, Tarrant, Collin, and Rockwall Counties for national retailer client. 2019
• Successfully limited damages to less than $200,000 at a jury trial in Dallas County where Plaintiff sought damages in excess of $7 million against franchisee client related to injuries to lumbar spine resulting in multiple surgeries, as well as traumatic brain injury. November 2018
• Obtained Summary Judgment and complete dismissal of all claims in state court on behalf of a client where Plaintiff claimed over $100,000 in damages in a premises liability claim against client.  March 2017
• Obtained Summary Judgment and complete dismissal of all claims asserted against a contractor client.  Plaintiff alleged the contractor failed to perform requested repairs to a local hotel, which allegedly resulted in Plaintiff suffering significant injuries in a fall down a staircase in the hotel.  Plaintiff sought in excess of $5 million in the lawsuit against multiple Defendants, including our client. September 2016
• Successfully first-chaired a complete, take-nothing defense verdict in a jury trial involving various claims of negligence, assault, battery, intentional infliction of emotional distress and gross negligence against a multi-national retailer client.  Plaintiff sought in excess of $5 million in damages from the firm’s client in the lawsuit.  July 2016
• Obtained Summary Judgment and complete dismissal of all claims in state court on behalf of a client where Plaintiff claimed assault and intentional infliction of emotional distress.  March 2016

• State Bar of Texas
• Dallas Bar Association
• Texas Bar Foundation, Fellow (2010-12)
• Patrick E. Higginbotham American Inn of Court, Associate, 2007-2008

• “One Step Forward, Two Steps Back: Construction of Restrictive Covenants After the Implementation of Section 202.003 of the Texas Property Code,” author, Volume 32, Number 2 of the Texas Tech Law Review
• Multiple speaking engagements to insurance professionals throughout United States on various topics related to Texas law, including strategies for defending premises liability cases in Texas, strategies for defending claims of traumatic brain injury in personal injury litigation, and recovery of past and future medical expenses in personal injury litigation in Texas.
   

Molly Ann Lawrence is an Associate in the Cowles and Thompson Commercial/Business Litigation Practice section.  Her legal experience includes preparing commercial litigation and personal injury matters for trial, witness preparation, conducting depositions, and oral argument at hearings.  She has served as second chair at trial in cases involving breach of contract, breach of fiduciary duty, negligence, fraud, DTPA, misappropriation of trade secrets, unfair competition, and other civil claims.

Education

• J.D., Louisiana State University, 2012
  • Legal Intern, Louisiana State University NCAA Office of Compliance
  • Legal Extern, Office of Louisiana Attorney General
  • Former Kaplan LSAT Instructor

• B.A., Interpersonal Speech Communication, Miami University, 2007

Admissions

• State Bar of Texas, 2012
• U.S. District Court, Northern District of Texas

• Successful take-nothing summary judgment dismissals in defense of large-scale, national retailer against negligence claims filed in Denton County and Kaufman County.  2020
• Obtained six take-nothing summary judgment dismissals of negligence premises liability claims in Dallas, Tarrant, and McLennan counties based on lack of notice defense(s).  2019
• Obtained two take-nothing summary judgment dismissals of negligence premises liability claims in Dallas and Rockwall counties based on warnings defense(s).  2019
• Successfully defended large-scale, national retailer against negligence claim filed in Johnson County, resulting in non-suit of client by plaintiff without settlement arrangement.  2019
• Obtained two take-nothing summary judgment dismissals of falling merchandise claims in Dallas and Tarrant counties based on failure to sufficiently allege dangerous condition defense(s).  2019
   

• Volunteer, English as a Second Language instructor, Buckner International
• Watermark Community Church, member and women’s group leader
• The Village Church, Steps care program mentor

• Selected for inclusion as a Rising Star by Thomson Reuters® Super Lawyers®, 2019-2020.
• Selected for inclusion as a Rising Star – Texas Women’s Edition by Thomson Reuters® Super Lawyers®, 2020.

"Social Media in Pre-Litigation Investigation and Litigation," presenter, CLE/CE for attorneys and insurance adjusters, St. Louis, Missouri, November, 2018.

Christopher Littell is a Shareholder in the Dallas office of Cowles and Thompson where he maintains a general civil and commercial litigation practice in a variety of complex matters. He primarily concentrates on insurance defense, as well as some structured settlement work.

• J.D., cum laude, Baylor School of Law, 2011
• B.A., Economics with High Honors, University of Texas, 2008

• State Bar of Texas, 2011
• U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas
• U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas
• U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas
• U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas
   

• Represented the Plaintiff in work performed on behalf of a municipality in bringing suit on the fraudulent sale of emergency dispatch software.
• Represented the Defendants in a trial in the Southern District of Texas regarding a lien priority and collections dispute.
• Represented the Defendant in a small claims trial regarding allegations of negligently performed vehicle repairs.
• Represents various subcontractors in disputes regarding construction defects.
• Represents various Defendant companies in personal injury and auto-accident litigation.

• State Bar of Texas
• Dallas  Bar Association
   

• Baylor Law Review, Executive Editor 2009-2011
• Baylor Law School Dean’s Academic Excellence Scholarship
   

“Attacking and Precluding Expert Opinions,” Texas Young Lawyers Association and Dallas Association of Young Lawyers newsletters, May 2018.

"Attacking and Precluding Expert Evidence -- Update,"  Cowles and Thompson CLE, March 2018.

Angela M. Lopez is a Shareholder and Section Head of the Cowles and Thompson Immigration Practice Group.  Angela has been practicing exclusively in the field of immigration law since 2002.  She has developed a large national practice representing numerous foreign nationals and their employers in obtaining temporary employment nonimmigrant visas and permanent residence.  She has represented numerous hospitals, healthcare systems, medical providers, university medical centers, physicians, and allied staff (nurses, physical therapists, and medical technologists). 

Angela’s extensive experience includes J-1 two-year foreign residency waiver applications for physicians, H-1B professional worker visas, O-1 extraordinary ability visas, E-1/E-2 treaty investor, L-1 transfer visas,  TN temporary work visa for citizens of Canada & Mexico, E-3 professional worker visas for Australian nationals, and permanent residence applications based upon labor certification, extraordinary ability aliens, national interest waivers, multinational managers and executives, and EB5 investor immigrant visas.

In addition, Angela has represented hundreds of individuals and their families in obtaining legal permanent residence (“green card”), successfully overcoming the challenges of the US immigration system and keeping families united.

Angela began her career in 1989 as a Deputy District Attorney and Town Solicitor in Colombia, South America. In 1993, she worked with the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in Hampden County, as a Family Service Officer, gaining experience in Family Law, mediation and investigative services. In 1997, she was a founding partner in “Mediation Works,” a mediation center and dispute resolution service in Springfield, MA. In 1998, Angela relocated to Texas and completed her Masters in International and Comparative Law (LLM) at SMU in Dallas. During and after her Masters studies, she worked with Alcon Laboratories, a Fortune 500 Company, in their International Legal Department, assisting Alcon affiliates worldwide on a broad range of issues related to International Business transactions.

• L.L.M. (Masters in International and Comparative Law), Southern Methodist University (SMU), School of Law, 2000
• J.D., Universidad Pontificia Bolivariana (UPB), Colombia, 1988

• Admitted to the State Bar of New York, 2001
• U.S. District Court, Northern District of Texas, 2007

• Texans for Economic Growth, 2019
• Richardson Chamber of Commerce, International Concierge Section, Advisory Committee, 2019
• Dallas Bar Association Immigration Section, Chair, 2018
• Dallas Bar Association Immigration Section, Vice-Chair, 2017
• State Bar of New York
• American Bar Association
• Dallas Bar Association
• American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA)
• International Medical Graduate Taskforce (IMG Taskforce)
• Uplift Williams Preparatory, Advisory Council

• Top 50 Women Lawyers in Dallas, Texas Diversity Council Award, 2017
• Outstanding Participation, Foro Mujer Educate, Amep, 2016  
• Excellence Award, The Rotary Club of Plano Latin-American, 2011 

Angele Lopez interviewed on San Diego radio regarding Applications for U.S. Citizenship soar in first quarter of 2016.  Please click here to hear the interview.

• Divorce
• Annulment
• Property Division
• Premarital and Post marital agreements
• Alimony
• Child Support
• Child Custody and Visitation
• Paternity
• Post-divorce Modification
• Post-divorce Enforcement

• Breach of Contract
• Breach of Lease
• Fraud
• Negligence
• Deceptive Trade Practices Act
• Commercial Landlord-Tenant
• Eviction
• Employment contracts
• Covenants Not to Compete

• Preparing Wills and Trusts
• Probating Wills and Representing Executors during Probate
• Contesting or defending Wills in Court
• Healthcare Power of Attorney
• Directive to Physicians

• J.D., Southern Methodist University Dedman School of Law, 1987
• B.S., Business Administration, cum laude, Indiana University, 1984

• State Bar of Texas, 1987
• U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit
• U.S. District Court, Northern District of Texas
• U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Texas
• U.S. District Court, Western District of Texas

• Lead counsel in ongoing state court litigation against a commercial landlord in a wrongful eviction suit where our client, a national fast-food franchisee, was wrongfully evicted for an alleged non-monetary breach of lease.
• On-going defense of a health club chain client against a $500,000 claim for overtime wages made by former employees under the Fair Labor Standards Act.  We are opposing an attempt by Plaintiff to obtain class certification.
• Defended client in Dallas federal court litigation arising from a dispute over possession of a cell phone tower, including claims of successor liability to the previous owner of the towers.  The matter involved expenses of $750,000, and our client was ultimately dismissed from the case by the plaintiff.
• Filed suit against a defaulting tenant under a commercial lease in Austin, Texas.  The tenant abandoned premises without excuse and the property owner sued for damages valued at $750,000.  The matter settled June 2017.
• Prosecuted and defended separate covenant-not-to-compete claims:  one claim by our client, a regional flooring service company, was made against a former employee, while the other claim is against our client for hiring an employee who was covered by a non-compete from a prior employer.  Both matters were settled March 2017.
• Obtained dismissal of RICO claims against clients in a multi-party adversary proceeding by filing a Rule 12(b)(6) Motion to Dismiss in U.S. Bankruptcy Court.  June 2010
• As lead counsel, negotiated dismissal of federal RICO and state law fraud claims against client in U.S. District Court in Austin, Texas after filing Motions to Dismiss with the Court.  November 2009
• Led a trial team in a three-day, non-jury trial in Tarrant County, Texas where we obtained a judgment for $195,000 for our client – an unpaid, general contractor – who had preformed substantial tenant finish-out work.  The court ordered foreclosure of the contractor’s mechanic’s lien.  2009
• As lead counsel, successfully obtained a court order removing a mechanic’s lien wrongfully filed against a construction project in the District Court of Denton County, Texas.  2009
• As lead counsel in a one-day, non-jury trial in Dallas County, Texas, obtained a judgment for $119,000.00 on behalf of client – an unpaid flooring supplier -- against the management company of an apartment complex, overcoming the argument that the management company was merely an agent for a disclosed  principal.  The judgment was collected.  2009
• As lead counsel, obtained a final summary judgment in Travis County, Texas dismissing all claims against client shopping center developer from Round Rock, Texas, in a suit brought by a materials supplier against the developer and the general contractor on the project.  2008
• Obtained settlement on behalf of client general contractor for his breach of warranty claims against a nationally known paint manufacturer and its local distributor for an amount exceeding $110,000.00 arising from improper catalyzation of a staining product used on wooden cabinets inside the residence.  2008
• Lead counsel for Plano, Texas homeowners, settling breach of warranty claims against a nationally known water heater manufacturer for $1.15 million, after the water heater ruptured and flooded the house.  2005
• Successfully brought a Texas Lemon Law Claim against BMW North America on behalf of his client resulting in a brand new vehicle to replace the defective vehicle.  2005

• Obtained judgment in a non-jury trial in Dallas County, Texas, awarding client/parent exclusive right to designate the primary residence of two children.  2007
• Successful Collin County, Texas jury trial, where client/parent was awarded the exclusive right to designate the children’s primary residence.  2002
• Successful Denton County, Texas jury trial, where client was awarded the exclusive right to designate the child’s primary residence. 1999
• Tony Mallers has represented clients in dozens of family law cases, including divorce, paternity, modifications, enforcement, breach of alimony contracts, and interpretation and enforcement of pre-nuptial and post-nuptial agreements.  By far, the vast majority of these cases have settled out of court after a few preliminary hearings, depositions, or mediations.  Tony has demonstrated skill and expertise in guiding his clients through the difficult and many times traumatic emotional and financial experience of divorce.  1987–present

• State Bar of Texas
• Dallas Bar Association, member, Family Law and Construction Law sections
• Collin County Bar Association, member; Board of Directors, Family Law section

• Texas Family Law Foundation
• Collin County Bench-Bar Foundation, Lifetime Fellow

• AV Peer Review (Pre-eminent), rated by Martindale Hubbell®
• Best Lawyers in America© -- Commercial Litigation, Best Lawyers®; selected for inclusion, 2017-2020
• Texas Super Lawyers ©, Thomson Reuters Super Lawyers®; selected for inclusion, 2013-2019

• “Fundamentals of Mechanic’s Lien Law for Non-Construction Lawyers”, speaker, Continuing Legal Education Seminar, Dallas, TX, June 29, 2010
• “Forcible Detainer Actions in Texas,” speaker, Landlord and Tenant Law Seminar, Dallas, TX, Sept. 2007
• Legal Aid of Northwest Texas, Volunteer In-take Attorney
• Plano Teen Court Program, Volunteer Judge
• Jackson Walker Moot Court Competition at SMU Dedman School of Law, Moot Court Judge

• J.D., Southern Methodist University School of Law, 1990
• B.A., University of Texas at Arlington, 1987

• State Bar of Texas, 1990
• United States Supreme Court
• U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit
• U.S. District Court, Northern District of Texas
• U.S. District Court, Southern District of Texas
• U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Texas
• U.S. District Court, Western District of Texas

• Aug 25, 2014 - In August of 2014, David obtained a dismissal of all claims asserted against his client through summary judgment.  David was defending his client in a business litigation matter from claims for libel, slander and business disparagement as well as claims for interference with existing prospective business relationships.
• Oct 29, 2010 - After a three day trial in El Paso, David Metzler received a jury finding in favor of our client, a real estate agency from California, accused of misconduct in connection with real estate investments in El Paso.  The Plaintiff sought damages in excess of $650,000.
• Sep 25, 2008 - In September 2008, David Metzler defended an insurance  agent and  agency in a suit alleging the agent failed to procure an insurance policy.  The jury found for the Defendants, determining the Plaintiff was 100% negligent.   David Oliveros assisted at the trial.
• Oct 24, 2006 - David Metzler successfully argued an appeal before the United States Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals, with briefing by David Johnson.  The case arose out of a claim for injuries to a child left in a day care center van on a hot summer day.  The firm's client provided general liability insurance for the day care center.  The issue was whether the claim was covered by the day care's general liability policy or its automobile insurance policy.   The District Court granted summary judgment for the firm's client, and this order was affirmed by the Fifth Circuit, which held that the injuries arose out of the use of an automobile.  Lincoln General Insurance Company v. Aisha's Learning Center, ____ F.3d ____, (5th Cir. 2006)(Cause No. 05-10981; Opinion issued October 24, 2006).
• May 15, 2006 - David Metzler, chair of the Firm's Insurance Coverage and Litigation Practice Group, recently obtained a victory on appeal for an insurance carrier accused of bad faith in handling a workers' compensation claim.  In one week in January of 2005, Mr. Metzler obtained summary judgment in two separate bad faith lawsuits against an insurance carrier.  One plaintiff elected not to appeal; the second appealed, but the appellate court was convinced summary judgment was the appropriate action.

Representative Matters

• Continental Cas. Co. v. N. Am. Capacity Ins. Co., 683 F.3d 79 (5th Cir. 2012) (representing insurer in successful action by excess carrier to recover defense costs from primary insurers that improperly denied coverage).
• Philadelphia Indem. Ins. Co. v. Creative Young Minds, Ltd. D/B/A Primrose School of Walnut Creek, 679 F. Supp. 2d 739 (N.D. Tex. 2009) (successfully defended insurance carrier’s denial of coverage).
• All Saints Catholic Church v. United Nat'l Ins. Co., 257 S.W.3d 800 (Tex.App. -- Dallas 2008, no writ) (successfully defended property insurer in coverage dispute involving more than one cause of property damage).
• Lincoln General Ins. Co. v. Aisha’s Learning Center, 468 F. 3d 857 (5th Cir. 2006) (successfully represented insurer in suit arising out of denial of coverage based upon “auto” exclusion in CGL policy)
• American Home Assur. Co. v. United Space Alliance, LLC, 378 F. 3d 482 (5th Cir. 2004) (represented primary and excess carrier at trial of claim for wrongful refusal to defend)
• Southstar Corp. v. St. Paul Surplus Lines. Ins. Co., 42 S.W.3d 187 (Tex. App. -- Corpus Christi 2001, no pet.) (successful defense of insurer in "advertising injury" coverage and bad faith dispute)
• St. Paul Fire & Marine Ins. Co. v. Convalescent Services, Inc., 193 F.3d 340 (5th Cir. 1999) (represented insurer in decision limiting insurer's Stowers duty)
• Gracida v. Tagle, 946 S.W.2d 504 (Tex. App. -- Corpus Christi 1997, orig. proceeding) (represented insurer, real party in interest)
• Williams v. Land Title Co. of Dallas, 1997 LEXIS 2098 (Tex. App. -- Dallas 1997, no writ history).  Represented Appellee.
• St. Paul Fire & Marine Ins. Co. v. American Int'l Surplus Lines Ins. Co., 1997 LEXIS 4596 (N.D. Tex. 1997)

• Member, State Bar of Texas
• Member, Claims and Litigation Management Alliance
• Member, Certified Litigation Management Professional
• Member, Defense Research Institute (2000-2010)
• Member, Dallas Bar Association
• Advisory Council, St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic School (2004-2007)
• Commissioner, City of Dallas Environmental Health Commission (2007-2011)

In 2017, David Metzler was listed in Best Lawyers® as one of The Best Lawyers in America© in the field of Insurance Law.

In 2013, David Metzler was recognized by D Magazine® in the "Best Lawyers in Dallas" magazine in the field of Insurance Law.

Since 2009, David has been selected by Thomson Reuters Super Lawyers® as a Texas Super Lawyer© in the field of Insurance Coverage law.

Publications

• Toxic Mold Litigation, ABA Tort Trial and Insurance Practice Section, June 2003 (Author of “Mold and Insurance Coverage” chapters) (Co-Author)
• Mold Claims: Claims Tips and Coverage Issues, Journal of Insurance Coverage (Winter 2002).
• Keeping the Faith: Avoiding Pitfalls of Insurance Claim Handling in Texas (A Bad Faith Manual), Cowles & Thompson, April 2001
• Personal Automobile Insurance Coverage Manual, Cowles & Thompson, September 2000
• Mastering Real Estate Titles and Title Insurance in Texas, National Business Institute (March 1995) (Co-Author)
• Collection Law in Texas ("Mortgages"), Lorman Education Services (April 1995) (Co-Author and Speaker)
• Judiciary Report, TLTA News, Vol. 23, No.2 (Spring 1994) (Contributing Author)
• Judiciary Report, TLTA News, Vol. 23, No.1 (Fall 1993) (Contributing Author)
   

Speaking Engagements

• “Litigation of UM/UIM Cases,” Presented to GEICO Insurance, Dallas, Texas June 2006
• "Texas Law Update: What’s Happening Now?” Presented to AIGDC, Inc. Excess Casualty Group, New York November 2005
• American Bar Assoc., Tort Trial and Insurance Practice Section, Toxic Torts and Environmental Law Committee, “Mold Litigation and Other Emerging Issues in Toxic Tort and Environmental Law,” Phoenix, March 2003 (Panel Member: “Toxic Mold and Insurance Coverage Issues”)
• Cowles & Thompson, “The Philistines Are Still at the Gate: Texas Bad Faith and Coverage 2003” Dallas, September 2003
• Cowles & Thompson, “Survival of the Fittest:  Texas Bad Faith and Coverage 2002” Dallas, August 2002
• Cowles & Thompson, “Handling Mold Claims: Claims Tips and Coverage Issues” Dallas, April 2001
• Cowles & Thompson, “Supreme Court Review” Dallas, December 2000

To meet David, click here

Whitney Morgan is an Associate in the Commercial and Business Litigation, and the Tort Litigation sections. Her experience includes managing more than 100 cases in active litigation, taking 13 cases to trial as the first-chair attorney, as well as mediations, depositions, and hearings.  She has also worked with Intellectual Property matters such as filing trademark applications and assignments, responding to office actions from the Patent and Trademark Office, and writing memos on trademark and copyright law.

Education

• J.D., Texas A&M University School of Law, 2016
  • Dean’s List, 2013
  • Intellectual Property Certification
  • Pro Bono Judge’s Clerk, Harrison County District Court, Marshall, Texas 2016
• B.A., Communication, Texas A&M University, 2012

Admissions

• State Bar of Texas, 2016

• State Bar of Texas
• Center for Law and Intellectual Property, Member, 2014-2015

Steven Moses is a Shareholder in the Tort and Insurance Litigation and Commercial Litigation practice groups of Cowles & Thompson.  He represents clients on a wide range of legal matters including medical malpractice, premises liability, hospitality & lodging, and real estate matters.

He is a member of the State Bar of Texas, the American Bar Association, the Dallas Bar Association and the J.L. Turner Legal Association.  He received his B.A. degree in Criminology and Criminal Justice from the University of Texas at Arlington in 2000, and his J.D. degree, from the University of Arkansas School of Law in 2006, where he was a national semi-finalist in the Thurgood Marshall Mock Trial Competition.  Steven was admitted to the State Bar of Texas in 2006 and he is admitted to practice in the U.S. District Court of the Northern District of Texas.  He also joined Patrick E. Higginbotham’s Inn of  Court in 2008.

• J.D., University of Arkansas School of Law, 2006
• B.A. in Criminology and Criminal Justice, University of Texas at Arlington, 2000

• State Bar of Texas, 2006
• U.S. District Court, Northern District of Texas
• U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Texas

• May 2015 – Obtained pretrial dismissal of premises liability case wherein plaintiff alleged over $100,000 in damages.
• April 2014 - Obtained pretrial dismissal of premises liability case wherein plaintiff alleged over $100,000 in damages.
• April 2014 - Obtained pretrial dismissal of premises liability case wherein plaintiff alleged over $80,000 in damages.
• September 2013 - Obtained pretrial dismissal of premises liability case wherein plaintiff alleged over $100,000 in damages.
• July 2013 - Obtained pretrial dismissal of premises liability case wherein plaintiff alleged over $100,000 in damages.
• August 2012 - Obtained pretrial dismissal of premises liability case wherein plaintiff alleged over $100,000 in damages.
• April 2012 – As lead counsel, successfully obtained eviction of residential tenant and judgment against tenant for outstanding rent.
• January 2012 – Obtained summary judgment dismissal of claims against reputable retailer stemming from an investigative detainment. Plaintiff alleged client racially-profiled him, detained him unlawfully, committed assault against him, and maliciously prosecuted him criminally.
• December 2010 – Obtained favorable settlement for client in matter involving a $20 million commercial mortgage-backed securities (CMBS) loan dispute. The Firm’s client was an upscale, full-service luxury hotel branded with a world-wide leader in the hotel industry. The client exercised its right under the loan agreement to “re-brand” the hotel; however, the master servicer and special servicer of the CMBS loan allegedly failed to grant borrower’s unfettered right to “re-brand” the hotel in a timely manner. Borrower asserted damage claims for diminution in value to the hotel. CMBS lender waived default interest, attorneys’ fees and other monetary claims. Borrower re-negotiated interest rate, maturity date and other issues favorable to borrower.

• November 2009 – Obtained favorable settlement for client accused of “price-gouging” in lawsuit filed by the Office of the Attorney General, Consumer Protection & Public Health Division, on behalf of the State of Texas. The State of Texas alleged the Firm’s hotel client engaged in price-gouging by demanding and charging Hurricane Ike evacuees excessive prices for lodging after Texas Governor Rick Perry declared a state of disaster from Hurricane Ike. The State of Texas further alleged the hotel charged and collected state and local hotel/motel taxes from Hurricane Ike evacuees in violation of the waiver issued by the Governor.  The Firm’s hotel client entered into a Final Judgment and Permanent Injunction in lieu of large civil and criminal fines and other injunctive penalties.
• March 2009 - Successfully tried case to jury verdict and obtained a six-figure award along with an award of all claimed attorneys’ fees and costs on behalf of client. The litigation involved enforcement of two post-separation agreements (Separation, Release and Restructuring Agreement and Contribution and Indemnification Agreement) that related to the division of commercial shopping centers, the transfer of general partner interests, and liability of the managing general partner for committing “Bad Boy Guarantor” acts under the Indemnification Agreement.  The Defendant was found liable for not indemnifying and reimbursing the Plaintiff for payment of ad valorem taxes to the lender.
• November 2009 - Successfully retried claim involving airport access fees charged by the firm's municipality client.  In first trial, the fees were ruled invalid; in retrial, client awarded all past fees and attorney fees.
• April 2008 - Obtained favorable pre-suit mediation result for commercial tenant client facing default under commercial lease agreement; client was released from all obligations, including nearly $1 Million in accelerated rent, and landlord received no compensation.
• April 2008 - Represented franchisee against national franchisor in successful arbitration, obtaining a declaratory ruling of fraud against the franchisor and affirmative monetary relief.
• April 2007 - Prevailed at trial on behalf of firm's trucking delivery company client in employee benefits case.
   

• Member, State Bar of Texas
• Member, American Bar Association
• Member, Dallas Bar Association
• Member, J.L. Turner Legal Association
   

Steven Moses was selected as a 2016 Best 40 Lawyers Under 40 by the National Black Lawyers - Top 100.

Steven Moses was recognized by D Magazine® in the 2014 issue of "Best Lawyers in Dallas" magazine in the field of Tort, Product & Medical Liability Litigation Defense.

In 2010-2012, 2014-2016, Steven was selected by Thomson Reuters Super Lawyers® as a Texas Rising Star© in the field of Personal Injury law.

NEWS

• The January 2009 issue of “Lodging Hospitality” published an article co-written by Rick Barrett and Steven Moses entitled ”Arbitration:  Panacea or Nightmare?” 

PUBLICATIONS

• I Know I Knew, But...The Texas Supreme Court Clarifies Duty Owed by Landowners to Knowledgeable Invitees  (click here to read the article)

R. Michael Northrup is a Shareholder and Section Head of the Cowles and Thompson Appellate Practice Group.  He practices in both the trial and appellate courts in cases involving personal injury, insurance issues, employment law, commercial disputes, and zoning disputes.  He provides litigation support to attorneys in other sections of the firm.  Mike served as a briefing attorney for former Chief Justice Thomas R. Phillips, Texas Supreme Court, 1988-89. He has taught as an adjunct professor at Hastings College of Law and SMU School of Law.  He is Board Certified in Civil Appellate Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization.

Mike is a contributing author to the Texas Torts & Remedies as well as the Texas Litigation Guide for which he has authored chapters on the Deceptive Trade Practices Act, Punitive Damages, Limitation of Actions, the Appellate Record, and Liquor Liability.  He also authored “In Search of Consensus on ‘Net Worth’,” (co-author), The Appellate Advocate (Spring 2010); “Restrictions on Class-Action Attorney-Fee Awards,” 46 South Texas Law Review 953 (2005); “Per Curiam Review in the Supreme Court,” The Appellate Advocate (Winter 1990); and “Per Curiam Disposition,” The Houston Lawyer (March/April 1990).

Mike provides litigation support in pretrial matters, including review of pleadings, drafting of complex motions and responses, preservation of error during trial, and preparation of jury charges.  He handles post-trial and appellate matters, including drafting of proposed judgments, post-trial motions, requests for findings of fact and conclusions of law, supersedeas challenges, and appellate briefs.

• J.D., Texas Tech University School of Law, 1988
  • Member, Phi Delta Phi
• B.S., Texas A&M University, 1985

• State Bar of Texas, 1988
• United States Supreme Court 
• U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit 
• U.S. District Court, Northern District of Texas 
• U.S. District Court, Southern District of Texas
• U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Texas

• State Bar of Texas
• Dallas Bar Association
• College of the State Bar of Texas
• Defense Research Institute
• Texas Aggie Bar Association
   

• Board Certified in Appellate Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization
• AV Peer Review (Pre-eminent), rated by Martindale Hubbell®
• Best Lawyers in America© -- Appellate Practice, Best Lawyers®; selected for inclusion, 2013-2020
• Texas Super Lawyers ©, Thomson Reuters Super Lawyers®; selected for inclusion, 2003-2019
• Best Lawyers in Dallas – Appellate Law, D Magazine, selected for inclusion, 2012-2013, 2016

Stuart O’Neil has more than thirty years of legal experience and has successfully defended clients in a wide variety of litigation including:  personal injury, healthcare, medical malpractice, trucking, product liability, construction law, premises liability, and general litigation.  In addition to being a senior shareholder, he leads the Cowles and Thompson Healthcare section, and is also a member of the Tort Litigation section.  He has successfully tried many high-value cases to jury verdict over the last five years.

Stuart represents hospitals, playground manufacturers, pharmacies, trucking companies, nursing homes, acute care facilities, hospice agencies, carriers, and other companies from Texas’ southern border to the panhandle.  He has also worked with healthcare companies in amending and updating their policies, procedures, and bylaws. 

Stuart has also led a group of attorneys, who defend the largest international retailer, in matters related to pharmacy, security, slip and fall, fallen merchandise, and other areas.  Additionally, he represents a large national healthcare company representing all their facilities on a broad range of matters including premises liability claims, auto liability claims, healthcare and medical malpractice claims throughout the State of Texas.   Stuart has experience in both Texas state and federal courts, and in administrative disciplinary proceedings with the Texas Board of Nursing, Texas Medical Board, Texas State Board of Dental Examiners, and Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services.  He has also served in an advisory capacity for clients seeking to develop national strategy for the defense of their tort and healthcare litigation.

Recent Representative Matters

• Favorable jury trial for retail client in Dallas County, Texas in fallen merchandise case where plaintiff required a multi-level back fusion.
• Represented manufacturing client in favorable result regarding alleged defectively designed and manufactured balcony railing system on 32-story high-rise hotel/condominium project.
• Favorable settlement for client facility in wrongful death healthcare liability claim involving hospice agency, nursing home, and physicians in Smith County, Texas.
• Successful jury trial for retail client in Tarrant County in case involving significant back injury of plaintiff following oil spill.
• Successful jury trial in Cooke County, Texas for retail client where plaintiff alleged complex regional pain syndrome and sought more than $10 million.
• Obtained summary judgment dismissal of case for client hospital in slip and fall case.
• Obtained pretrial summary judgment dismissal for retail client in slip and fall claim.
• Obtained summary judgment dismissal on behalf of client dentist and dental practice alleging improper dental care with over $100,000 in dental expenses.
• Obtained summary judgment dismissal for client hospital where plaintiff physician tripped, fell and broke his hip.
• Favorable settlement in pool slide case involving severely brain damaged child.
   

• J.D., Oklahoma City University Law School, 1985
• B.B.A., in Business Administration, St. Francis Xavier University, 1982

• State Bar of Texas, 1986
• U.S. District Court, Northern District of Texas
• U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Texas
• U.S. District Court, Southern District of Texas
• U.S. District Court, Western District of Texas

Recent Representative Matters

• Favorable jury trial for retail client in Dallas County, Texas in fallen merchandise case where plaintiff required a multi-level back fusion.
• Represented manufacturing client in favorable result regarding alleged defectively designed and manufactured balcony railing system on 32-story high-rise hotel/condominium project.
• Favorable settlement for client facility in wrongful death healthcare liability claim involving hospice agency, nursing home, and physicians in Smith County, Texas.
• Successful jury trial for retail client in Tarrant County in case involving significant back injury of plaintiff following oil spill.
• Successful jury trial in Cooke County, Texas for retail client where plaintiff alleged complex regional pain syndrome, and sought more than $10 million.
• Obtained summary judgment dismissal of case for client hospital in slip and fall case.
• Obtained pretrial summary judgment dismissal for retail client in slip and fall claim.
• Obtained summary judgment dismissal on behalf of client dentist and dental practice alleging improper dental care with over $100,000 in dental expenses.
• Obtained summary judgment dismissal for client hospital where plaintiff physician tripped, fell and broke his hip.
• Favorable settlement in pool slide case involving severely brain damaged child.

• State Bar Texas
• Texas Association of Defense Counsel
• Defense Research Institute
• Claims and Litigation Management Alliance
• Dallas Association of Defense Counsel
• Dallas Bar Association
   

Rated "AV Preeminent" by Martindale-Hubbell (international attorney listing), as having the "Highest Possible Peer Review Rating in Legal Ability & Ethical Standards", 2004-2020.

Selected for inclusion in Texas Super Lawyers©, Personal Injury Law, by Thomson Reuters Super Lawyers®, 2004-2018.

Selected for inclusion in Best Lawyers in Dallas, Tort, Personal Injury, Product & Medical Liability Litigation Defense, by D Magazine®, 2016-2018.

Publications and Speaking Events

Stuart actively gives presentations at hospitals, insurance companies, third-party administrators, and healthcare groups on multiple issues including risk management and risk assessment. He has also given continuing legal education presentations to other lawyers and members of the insurance industry.

• Spoliation and document retention certified continuing education course to attorneys and claims adjusters in Frisco, Texas.  March, 2019
• "Welcome to the Party" (spoliation and comparative responsibility issues), continuing education course to attorneys and insurance adjusters, Maryland Heights, Missouri.  November, 2018
• “Stowers Demands” (duty to act in good faith), continuing education course to attorneys and insurance adjusters, St Louis, Missouri.  November, 2018
• "Proportionate Responsibility Update," continuing education course to attorneys and insurance adjusters in Dallas, Texas.  February, 2018
• “Texas Tort Update – 2017,” continuing education course to attorneys and insurance adjusters in St. Louis, Missouri.  June, 2017
• “Recovering and Challenging Medical Expenses,” continuing education course to attorneys and insurance adjusters in Maryland Heights, Missouri.  June, 2017
• “Proportionate Liability,” continuing education course to attorneys and insurance adjusters in Las Colinas, Texas.  June, 2016
• “Proportionate Liability,” continuing education course to attorneys and insurance adjusters in Frisco, Texas.  June,  2016
• “Premises Liability,” continuing education course to attorneys and insurance adjusters in St. Louis, Missouri.  February, 2016
• “Proportionate Liability,” continuing education course to attorneys and insurance adjusters in St. Peters, Missouri.  February, 2016

To meet Stuart, click here

• J.D., University of Texas at Austin School of Law, 1986
• B.A., with honors, University of Texas at Austin, 1983

• State Bar of Texas, 1986
• U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit
• U.S. District Court, Northern District of Texas
• U.S. District Court, Southern District of Texas
• U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Texas
• U.S. District Court, Western District of Texas

• Take-nothing verdict in a wrongful death case against a gas company traffic accident with an 8-figure demand to the jury.
• Summary Judgment upheld in a construction accident/serious personal injury case.
• Successfully defended a personal injury aviation case in Federal Court over an alleged product defect.
• Obtained summary judgment defending an international insurer; ultimately upheld on appeal by the Supreme Court of Texas.
• Obtained defense verdict in a case against a business owner in wrongful death and personal injury automobile accident.
• Successfully prosecuted a case for an oil and gas client involving multiple indemnity agreements with respect to a well blowout, by obtaining a jury verdict awarding 100% of the client’s damages. 
• Successfully defended a property management company from  allegations of negligence resulting in a plaintiff’s death, affirmed in the Fort Worth Court of Appeals of the take-nothing judgment. 
• Successfully defended a professional counselor from allegations of fraud and professional negligence by obtaining a take-nothing  judgment in favor of the client at trial.
• Won a trial in Travis County, Texas, on behalf of a petroleum company client.  in a personal injury employee assault.

• State Bar of Texas
• Transportation Industry Defense Association
• Dallas Association of Defense Counsel
• Dallas Bar Association
• American Bar Association
• The Patrick E. Higginbotham American Inn of Court, Barrister
• International Association Defense Counsel
• Lawyer’s Cooperative Publishing, Editorial Board
• Legal Services of North Texas, pro bono representation
• Claims and Litigation Management Alliance
   

John has written and lectured attorneys and clients on various subjects, including transportation industry defense, effective advocacy at hearings, written discovery, premises liability, preparation of settlement documentation and the Texas Deceptive Trade Practices Act (DTPA). 

Melissa J. Pegram is Of Counsel with Cowles and Thompson and a member of the firm’s Corporate and Business Law Practice and Labor and Employment Law Practice groups.

Business Law
Melissa focuses on the representation of businesses in the area of commercial law and in dealing with all types of employment law issues commonly encountered by businesses.  As a part of her representation of businesses, Melissa supervises and directs the handling of complex employment and commercial litigation matters, successfully negotiates and documents complex "business divorces," structures and documents business acquisitions and sales, drafts all documents relating to the formation of business entities and reviews and negotiates all types of business transactions, such as lease agreements and commercial loan transactions, and provides general counsel advice and services necessary for the day-to-day operation of  businesses.

Employment Law
In the employment context, Melissa prepares employer responses to employment-related complaints filed with the Department of Labor, the EEOC, and other administrative agencies; conducts investigations into allegations of executive and employee misconduct; prepares employment policies and handbooks, all types of employment-related contracts, confidentiality agreements, covenants not to compete/restrictive covenants, and separation/severance agreements.  Melissa regularly advises corporate counsel and corporate human resources/personnel directors regarding litigation avoidance measures and the handling of employment-related situations and decisions.

Probate and Trusts
In her many years of experience, Melissa has successfully handled numerous complicated estate probate and trust matters, working through difficult, hard-fought issues to reach favorable results for her clients.

• J.D., Baylor University School of Law, 1981
• B.A., University of Texas at Arlington, 1972

• State Bar of Texas, 1981
• U.S. District Court, Northern District of Texas
• U.S. District Court, Western District of Texas

• Successfully resolved a $2 million investment fraud case. The firm's clients were investors,  officers, shareholders, and members of the Board of Directors of a defrauded corporation.  The lawsuit alleged the president of the defrauded corporation had misappropriated corporate funds, breached his fiduciary duties, participated in “self-dealing”, and conspired with a national banking institution to usurp all ownership rights in the defrauded corporation in a “quid pro quo” arrangement of favorable loans to the president  in exchange for alleged bribery payments to the national banking institution.  In a favorable settlement, the clients received the return of more than $1.5 million dollars, representing approximately 75% of their initial investment of $2 million dollars.  Ms. Pegram analyzed various documents and transactions that were a part of this arrangement and also prepared the settlement documents, including the Settlement Agreement, the Promissory Note, a Pledge Agreement, utilizing stock in several corporations as security for payment of settlement obligations, corporate resolutions and consents, and Deeds of Trust to secure performance of obligations under the terms of the settlement documents.  2009
• Represented tenant in negotiation and documentation of second largest commercial lease transaction of 500,000+ square feet in DFW Metroplex for the year, 2006.
• Resolved complex $27 million partnership dispute involving the control, management, and transfer of ownership interests in six hotels branded by three international hotel companies.
• Part of team that closed a $60,000,000 acquisition of four multi-tiered hotels located in Texas.  Participated by assisting in handling the purchase and sale documentation.
• Handled the sale, acquisition, and financing for $15 million independent, privately-owned business in Dallas in 2008.
• Serves as employment law counsel for national healthcare firm, national logistics firm, etc., providing daily employment counsel for clients throughout the nation.
• General counsel employment advice for service providers in healthcare services, logistics, warehousing, accounting firms, computer software providers, providers of billing services for healthcare providers, human resource software providers, and other industries.
• Provides employment law representation for municipalities.

• State Bar of Texas
• Dallas Bar Association

Melissa is a frequent speaker at educational seminars on a wide range of commercial and employment law-related topics.  She is an adjunct professor in the Paralegal Studies Program of the Dallas County Community College District.  She is the author of numerous articles on various commercial and employment topics, several of which are posted on the Cowles & Thompson website.

• J.D., Southern Methodist University Dedman School of Law, 1978
• B.A., Biology and English, Texas Christian University, 1975

• State Bar of Texas, 1978
• United States Supreme Court
• U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit
• U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit
• U.S. District Court, Northern District of Texas
• U.S. District Court, Southern District of Texas
• U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Texas
• U.S. District Court, Western District of Texas

Representative Matters

• Watson v. Hardman, 497 S.W.3d 601 (Tex. App.--Dallas 2016, no pet.). (Anti-SLAAP suit early dismissal)