For over 40 years, I have been involved in complex business litigation matters and corporate reorganizations under Chapter 11 of the Bankruptcy Code.
As a result of that experience, I am often asked to serve as a mediator of complex business litigation and corporate reorganization disputes.
Moreover, through my experience in business litigation, I have become a student of the Houston attorneys and other professionals who specialize in such cases. Accordingly, I provide specialized services in the following areas.
Gatekeeper Services
Complex litigation matters or large reorganization cases often require teams of attorneys and other professionals in varied areas of specialization. In addition to attorneys, these specialists include accountants, management consultants, insolvency specialists, and expert witnesses.
Particularly in large reorganizations under Chapter 11 of the Bankruptcy Code, the ultimate success or failure of the reorganization is often determined by the decisions that management initially makes in regard to retention of counsel and other professionals.
Until relatively recently, large law firms have provided this coordination role in complex business cases. However, over the past 20 years or so, many outstanding attorneys have left large firms for smaller “boutique” firms that specialize in certain types of business litigation and reorganization law.
Similarly, the same trend has occurred in regard to other professionals who provide expert and specialist services in complex business litigation.
Consequently, a company may now be much better advised to employ a coordinated group of attorneys and professionals from several small, specialized “boutique” firms rather than relying on the services of one large law firm.
Part of the professional services that I provide are “gatekeeper” services for individuals, management, and boards of directors in putting together the team of specialists necessary to handle a large business reorganization case or a complex business litigation matter.
In most cases, I remain involved as an adviser to some party-in-interest involved in the case, such as an individual owner of a business party or the board of directors in regard to a large reorganization case.
In addition to advising individuals or companies involved in an impending reorganization case or complex business litigation matter, I have also frequently provided services in this area for corporate clients that are interested in acquiring valuable assets out of large reorganization cases.
Referral Services
In evaluating a prospective client’s case, I remain cognizant of the fact that I may not be the best attorney to handle the client’s case. Time constraints from work on other cases, recent experience in a similar case, specialization in a particular type of case, or cost considerations are typical reasons that I may recommend another attorney to handle a prospective client’s case.
I have developed many wonderful professional relationships over the past 40 years with the best attorneys in the Houston area in virtually every area of the law. If I believe that one of those attorneys is better suited to handle a prospective client’s case, then I will recommend them.
I do not accept referral fees except in regard to referrals of large personal injury or business tort cases, and then only after disclosure to the client and the client’s agreement to such fee.
Part of the professional services that I provide are “gatekeeper” services for individuals, management, and boards of directors in putting together the team of specialists necessary to handle a large business reorganization case or a complex business litigation matter.