Lamont Jefferson has extensive trial experience throughout South Texas in counties including Bexar (San Antonio), Harris (Houston), Nueces (Corpus Christi), Comal (New Braunfels), Webb (Laredo) and other surrounding counties - more than 60 jury verdicts in all. He recently obtained a successful result on behalf of a publicly traded corporation in a case tried in Houston, resulting in a settlement and nearly $20 million recovery. His trial practice focuses on business, insurance, and fiduciary duty litigation. He is also a frequent speaker on litigation issues.
Lamont's recent accomplishments include:
- Inducted into the American College of Trial Lawyers in 2004 - an invitation only organization limited to no more than 1% of the total lawyer population of any State.
- Trial and settlement of insurance coverage litigation on behalf of publicly traded corporation - total recovery of more than $17 million.
- Trial and ultimately favorable settlement of high profile case involving fatality in Houston, Texas with millions of dollars at stake.
- Trial and favorable verdict in defense of gross negligence claims in industrial accident fatality law suit in Corpus Christi, Texas.
- Successful jury verdict in San Antonio in case involving contract interpretation with millions of dollars in dispute.
- Representation of trustee of trust valued at greater than $30 million against allegations of mismanagement and breach of fiduciary duties.
Representative Publications and Speaking Engagement
Presenter: "The Image and Role of a Lawyer" The University of Texas School of Law (2007); Presenter: "Lawyer to Lawyer: Things We Know (But are well to be reminded)" State Bar of Texas Litigation Section Professional Responsibility Program (2007); "Where the Buck Stops: Defending the Corporate Representative Deposition" - Texas Bar CLE (2007); Presenter: American Board of Trial Advocates, Masters in Trial Seminar (2007); Course Director and Moderator, "Brown v. Board of Education: Half Century Later…Are We Half Way There," State Bar of Texas Annual Meeting (2004); "Strategic Discovery, Chapter 4," State Bar of Texas (2002); "Managing a Serious Personal Injury Incident on a Construction Project," State Bar of Texas - Construction Law Conference (2002); "Damages Update" State Bar of Texas Litigation Update Institute (2000); "Cross Examination - Lighten Up," Advanced Civil Trial Course (1999); "Fiduciary Duties of Officers and Directors," University of Houston (1999); "Making it Stick - Enforcing Jury Waiver Choice of Law/Choice of Venue Agreements," ABA Real Estate Section (1998); "Caveat Spoliatorem," Spoliation of Evidence State - Bar of Texas (1998).
Honors and Awards
- Named one of The Best Lawyers in America in Commercial Litigation, Appellate Law and Bet-the-Company Litigation (Woodward/White, Inc., 2003-2011).
- Named a Texas Super Lawyer by Law and Politics and Texas Monthly (2003-2009).
Selected Representative Experience
In re Schmitz, 285 S.W.3d 451 (Tex. 2009)
In a significant victory for businesses that elect to incorporate under the laws of Texas, obtained the first ruling by the Texas Supreme Court on the strict statutory prerequisites for commencing shareholder derivative litigation.
Lancer Corporation Derivative Litigation (In re Schmitz)
Appeared before the Texas Supreme Court on an issue of first impression involving the sufficiency of a letter to satisfy pre-suit demand requirements for a shareholder derivative action under the Texas Business Corporation Act. The Texas Supreme Court found the challenged demand letter to be insufficient and ordered the trial court to dismiss the suit.
In re Schmitz, 285 S.W.3d 451 (Tex. 2009)
In re Citigroup Global Markets, Inc., No. 08-0289 (Tex. May 13, 2008)
Obtained a favorable settlement after persuading the Texas Supreme Court to grant oral argument in this mandamus proceeding involving the application of a forum selection clause to a nonsignatory under the direct benefits estoppel doctrine.
Metra United Escalante, L.P. v. Lynd Co., 158 S.W.3d 535 (Tex. App. - San Antonio 2004, no pet.)
Obtained reversal of a temporary injunction - freezing more than $150 million of assets held by real estate investors - based on the Federal Arbitration Act's automatic-stay provision.
Online Publications
03/16/2010 -
The Storm Rages On: How Best to Obtain Texas Property Tax Reductions in a Turbulent Economic Climate
As we navigate the waters of these tough economic times, appraisal districts faced with massive city, school and county revenue losses caused by declining property values will most likely try to stem the tide by not voluntarily lowering taxpayers’ 2010 property values to their fair market values. Meanwhile, property owners struggle to reconcile the aftermath of declining occupancy rates, the bid/ask spread, and frozen financial markets with their property’s value as appraised by their local appraisal district.
05/22/2009 -
Haynes and Boone Represents Victorious Directors in Texas Supreme Court Ruling on Shareholder Derivative Suits and Demand Letters
Today the Texas Supreme Court issued a ground-breaking ruling on shareholder derivative suits against Texas corporations. The decision, In re Schmitz, et al., represents the first ruling by the highest court in Texas on the strict statutory prerequisites for commencing shareholder derivative litigation established by the 1997 amendments to the Texas Business Corporations Act (and subsequently incorporated into the more recent Texas Business Organization Code). The Court’s decision represents a significant victory for businesses that elect to incorporate under the laws of Texas. Haynes and Boone, LLP represented the directors of Lancer Corporation, the victorious parties in this case.
12/31/2008 -
Ready to Rumble? (Or…How Best to Obtain Texas Property Tax Reductions for Your Business and Residence Due to Lower Property Values)
Irresistible force, meet immovable object. The irresistible force is the drop (extreme drop in many circumstances) in taxpayers’ property values during 2008. The immovable object is appraisal districts’ desire to maintain 2009 property tax values in order to avoid massive city, school and county revenue losses.
In anticipation of Texas appraisal districts not lowering voluntarily taxpayers’ 2009 property values to their fair market values, what follows is a brief toolkit to use in preparing for the good fight.
The Reauthorization of the 1965 Voting Rights Act in 2007