Ben Allen is an associate in the Business Litigation Practice Group in the Houston office of Haynes and Boone, LLP. His experience in complex commercial litigation includes motion drafting, argument, discovery management responsibilities, and settlement negotiations in a diverse group of industries.
Representative Engagements
- Banking: Represented large financial institutions in note-ownership, security, foreclosure, and lender-liability disputes.
- Oil and Gas: Coordinated responses to subpoenas and third-party discovery requests for financiers and service providers relating to the oil and gas industry in a manner designed to minimize judicial intervention and business disruption.
- General Business Litigation: Represented various clients in general business disputes involving claims of breach of contract, breach of fiduciary duty, fraud, fraudulent inducement, DTPA violations, tortious interference with contracts and/or business relations, negligence, and promissory estoppel. In many of these cases, Ben drafted dispositive motions and responses addressing the limitation of business tort claims under Formosa Plastics and the economic loss rule.
- Construction: Represented a property owner in a construction dispute involving contract, warranty, and strict liability claims for property damage.
Ben also places strong emphasis on his pro bono docket, particularly cases presenting opportunities to develop his advocacy skills while serving clients in need. In addition to managing these lawsuits and their big-picture strategy, he has deposed witnesses, argued at TRO and temporary injunction hearings, and successfully secured a favorable jury verdict as first-chair in his first trial.
Memberships
Selected Publications
- "Eight Tips for Obtaining (Un)favorable Admissions at Deposition," co-author with Brian Antweil, American Bar Association Trial Practice Committee, November 12, 2010.
- "Working With the Seven-Hour Time Limit for Depositions in Federal Court," co-author with Yasser Madriz, American Bar Association Section of Litigation, November 17, 2010.
- "Massachusetts Seeks to Make Solar Power Economically Feasible with Ambitious Solar Power Initiative," Co-Author, ABA Energy Litigation Website, News and Developments, January 2010.