Legal Experience(AV Rated, Martindale-Hubble, since 1997)
2013: Founder; Emmons Legal; Houston, Tx Practice limited to prosecution, defense, and avoidance of commercial and professional disputes, representing plaintiffs and defendants in Texas state and federal courts, concentrating on real estate, contract, investment, and labor disputes, including regulatory, securities, and ERISA issues.
1991 – 2013: Founder; Emmons & Jackson, P.C.; Houston Tx Managed over 1,000 commercial disputes, taking 50 cases to judgment through trial or arbitration, and helped resolve the remainder through formal mediation and direct negotiation. After National Convenience Stores came out of bankruptcy and until the company was acquired by Diamond Shamrock, also served as special in-house director of litigation, managing all of NCS’ major cases.
1988 – 1990: Associate Attorney; Susman Godfrey; Houston Tx Working for the finest trial lawyers in America, gained a broad experience in complex discovery and motion practice. Assisted in very large and complex matters, and directed my own docket of smaller matters, which became - with Susman Godfrey’s blessing – the core of Emmons & Jackson's initial docket. Took and defended over 200 depositions, argued dozens of motions, and learned how to run a happy and successful law firm.
1987: Vice President, Specialized Lending; Bank of Oklahoma; Tulsa, OK Worked out a portfolio of $60 million in troubled energy and real estate loans. Managed several struggling businesses, prepared detailed budgets and option analysis for board review, conducted extensive negotiations with borrowers and purchasers, and managed outside managers, vendors, and legal counsel.
1984-1986: Associate Attorney; Doerner, Stuart, Saunders, Daniel & Anderson; Tulsa, OK Engaged in a general practice, with emphasis on real estate transactions, including title issues and loan documentation.
1982-1984: Attended School of Law; University of Texas at Austin
Pre-Legal Experience
1979-1982: Coordinator, Hydrocarbon Products; Union Texas Petroleum; Houston, TX Managed all non-financial planning for UTPC’s $600 million hydrocarbon products division. Prior responsibilities included planning assistant to senior vice president for hydrocarbon products; coordinator - marine transportation; and supervisor - rail operations.
1974-1979: A succession of jobs, notable primarily for their variety. Included were stints as a roughneck; waiter; commercial credit trainee; bank credit officer; credit manager; copywriter; palm tree inoculator; and assistant rigger on both the Goodyear Blimp Mayflower and the 12 Meter yacht Columbia, US 12-16. In 1979, I sobered up and began real life.
Education
1984 J.D., cum laude; School of Law; University of Texas at Austin Associate Editor, Texas Law Review; Law School Honor Council 1973 A.B.; Dartmouth College; Hanover, New Hampshire 1968 Coral Gables High School; Coral Gables, FL (All County in football, 2 years)
Community Service Star of Hope Mission; Board of Directors, Vice Chair, Weekley Family YMCA; Board of Directors Texas Lawyers Assistance Program; Board Member, Attorney Mentor