Trace Blair's practice focuses on complex commercial litigation. He has developed a passion for cases involving shareholder and partnership disputes, and fiduciary duty litigation. Other areas of his commercial litigation practice include construction defects, construction liens and bonds, oil and gas, and financial transactions. Mr. Blair and his team have also developed a thriving practice defending personal injury claims in the areas of "subscriber" liability for gross negligence involving employee fatalities, "non-subscriber" liability for employee injuries, and premises liability. By handling more than 20 OSHA investigations in recent years, Mr. Blair has developed a unique experience in advising clients that are the focus of regulatory agencies. He is currently developing a practice focusing on water and water rights litigation. Representative clients include drilling contractors, construction companies, manufacturers, major grocery companies and restaurant chains, and companies in various industries dealing with the aftermath of employee fatalities. Mr. Blair has tried cases in Bexar County (San Antonio), Nueces County (Corpus Christi) and Webb County (Laredo) and is currently litigating cases throughout south and central Texas.
Mr. Blair's recent accomplishments include:
- Two successful summary judgments in partnership dispute case where adverse party claimed loss of partnership interest worth $70 million.
- Trial and favorable verdict in Bexar County, Texas in case involving industrial fatality.
- Successful jury verdict in Laredo for large grocery retailer involving customer injury.
- Successful summary judgment for mineral buyer relating to $2 million mineral purchase.
He serves as Arena Director for the San Antonio Livestock Exposition, is Treasurer for the Texas A&M University College of Agricultural Development Council, and serves as Director for the Atascosa County Livestock Show. Trace has been named a Rising Star in Texas Monthly’s annual Super Lawyer edition since 2005.
Publications and Articles
- "Anatomy of TRCP chapter 33 – Proportionate Responsibility in Texas," 1998 (TADC)
- "Running the Gauntlet: Texas Mechanic’s Liens for the Materialman and Service Provider," 2007
- "Oil Pollution Act Liability," 2009 (Oil, Gas and Energy Resources Law Section Report)
Selected Representative Experience
K3C, Inc. v. Bank of America, N.A., 204 Fed. Appx. 455 (5th Cir. 2006)
As lead appellate counsel in a dispute arising out of a complex financial transaction and presenting a question of first impression, successfully defended a judgment awarding contract damages and attorneys’ fees and rejecting the plaintiff’s claims for fraud, breach of fiduciary duty, and breach of contract.