Find Lawyers in Fort Worth, Texas for Litigation - Real Estate
Practice Area Overview
For developers, litigation can arise with land sellers over purchase and sale agreements; with municipalities over zoning and entitlements; and with contractors over construction bidding, cost overruns, and construction defects and delays. For lenders, litigation can arise with borrowers over loan commitments, loan defaults and associated debt, and collateral recovery; with junior and mezzanine lenders over subordination obligations; and with mechanic lienors over priority rights to the real property and loan proceeds. For property owners, disputes can arise with retail and commercial tenants over unpaid rent, repair and restoration obligations, and rights of first refusal.
Disputes regularly arise out of the often-complicated and interrelated contracts of the various parties with interests in the property, and tort claims of various kinds may be asserted, from broad common law claims, such as fraud and tortious interference, to more real estate-specific claims, such as trespass, encroachment, and nuisance. Equitable considerations are often present because of the unique nature of real property rights. Special insurance rights, such as title and builder’s risk policies, may be implicated.
Top-tier lawyers in the area should have a comprehensive understanding of the contractual relations, business goals, and equitable and tort concepts attendant to the entire project. Practitioners may find themselves in state, federal, or bankruptcy courts, or, particularly in construction disputes, in arbitration.
Joseph Austin is an associate in the Fort Worth office's Litigation section. Mr. Austin represents corporate and individual clients in state and federal courts involving complex commercial disputes and bankruptcy matters. His experience includes all stages of litigation, from pleadings through discovery, motion practice, and contested hearings. Prior to joining Kelly Hart, Mr. Austin was a litigation associate at Padfield & Stout LLP in Fort Worth, Texas, where he gained valuable experien...
Meredith W. Knudsen is a partner in the firm’s Litigation section. Ms. Knudsen has a decade of experience facilitating resolutions for businesses and individuals in a variety of disputes and litigation matters, including complex commercial disputes, business torts, personal injury, products liability, premises liability, and employment matters. Ms. Knudsen also regularly defends and advises air carriers and commercial developers in a variety of matters. Prior to joining Kelly Hart, Ms. ...
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