Trace Blair's practice focuses on complex commercial litigation. He has developed a passion for cases involving shareholder and partnership disputes, shareholder oppression, and fiduciary duty litigation. Other areas of his commercial litigation practice include oil and gas litigation, construction defects, construction liens and bonds, and collections. Trace and his team have also developed a thriving practice defending catastrophic injury and fatality claims in a wide variety of industries. He has defended personal injury suits in venues throughout south Texas. Through his handling of more than 50 OSHA investigations in recent years, Trace has developed unique experience in advising clients that are the focus of regulatory agency investigations. 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. He 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.
Trace'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.
Trace serves as Arena Director for the San Antonio Livestock Exposition, is Vice President 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
- "Fiduciary Duties and Minority Shareholder Oppression from the Defense Perspective: Differing Approaches in Texas, Delaware, and Nevada," 2011 (34th Annual Advanced Civil Trial Course)
- "OSHA 2010 and 2011: A review of OSHA's Expanded Enforcement Initiatives in 2010 and the Outlook for 2011," Labor and Employment Alert, February 22, 2011 (online publication)
- "OSHA is 'Back in the Enforcement Business.' Are you Prepared?" Labor and Employment Alert, September 7, 2010 (online publication)
- "Oil Pollution Act Liability," 2009 (Oil, Gas and Energy Resources Law Section Report)
- "Running the Gauntlet: Texas Mechanic's Liens for the Materialman and Service Provider," 2007
- "Anatomy of TRCP chapter 33 - Proportionate Responsibility in Texas," 1998 (TADC)
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.
Drilling Rig Incident
Represented drilling company in OSHA proceedings resulting from an accident involving an employee killed while working on a drilling rig. No lawsuit was filed against the company.
Drilling Rig Incident
Represented drilling company in OSHA proceedings resulting from an accident involving an employee killed while working on a drilling rig. No lawsuit was filed against the company.
Drilling Rig Collapse
Represented drilling company in OSHA proceedings resulting from an accident involving an employee killed during a drilling rig collapse. Also represented the company in the gross negligence lawsuit filed in Webb County, Texas, as a result of the accident. (The lawsuit is still pending and is in the early stages.)
Drilling Rig Incident
Represented drilling company in OSHA proceedings resulting from an accident involving an employee killed while working on a drilling rig. Also represented the company in the gross negligence lawsuit filed in Webb County, Texas, resulting from the accident. The lawsuit was eventually resolved at mediation.
Oilfield Explosion
Represented natural gas pipeline company in OSHA proceedings resulting from an oilfield explosion/flash fire that left one worker dead, and five injured. Also represented the company in gross negligence lawsuit filed in Zavala County, Texas, resulting from the accident. (The lawsuit is still pending and involves at least six different sets of plaintiffs and five different defendants.)