COKINOS - Key Persons
Abigail has defended General Contractors and Subcontractors involving construction defect matters throughout Central and South Texas. She's also represented defendants regarding commercial disputes, personal injury, premises liability, and product liability matters. Abigail is experienced in all aspects of litigation in federal and state courts and arbitration. In her career, Abigail has gained extensive courtroom experience and successfully briefed, argued motions, and handled depositions and trial preparation.
Before moving to Austin, Texas, in 2020, Abigail practiced law in Edinburg, Texas as a Criminal Defense Attorney, representing clients in various cases ranging from misdemeanors to felonies.
Education
Michigan State University College of Law - J.D., 2016
University of Texas at Austin - B.A. Spanish Literature and History, 2012
Job Titles:
- Associate Attorney in the San Antonio
- Attorney San Antonio
Alec Dudley is an associate attorney in the San Antonio office of Cokinos | Young. He focuses his practice on construction law and commercial litigation. Alec graduated magna cum laude from St. Mary's University School of Law in the top five percent of his class. During law school, Alec also served as the Managing Executive Editor for the St. Mary's Law Journal and interned for Chief Justice Sandee B. Marion of the Texas Fourth Court of Appeals.
Education
St. Mary's University School of Law -J.D., magna cum laude, 2018
Job Titles:
- Attorney Houston
- Attorney in the Houston
Alfredo Montelongo is an attorney in the Houston office of Cokinos | Young. His practice focuses primarily on construction law and commercial litigation. Alfredo Montelongo received his J.D. from Stanford Law School, where he served on the Civil Rights Civil Liberties Journal and worked in the Immigrants' Rights Clinic.
Education
Stanford Law School - J.D., 2015
Harvard University - B.A. English 2011
Allegra Melton Lezak is an attorney in the Houston office of Cokinos | Young. Allegra received her J.D. from The University of Houston Law Center, where she served as Senior Articles Editor for the Houston Journal of International Law. While in law school, she also represented clients in the civil litigation clinic and was a competitive member of the mock trial team.
Allegra's practice primarily focuses on construction law and commercial litigation. She has experience representing residential and commercial construction clients throughout the litigation and arbitration processes. Allegra's experience covers a variety of areas including contract and payment disputes, delay disputes, mechanic's and materialman's liens, construction defect cases, premises and products liability, negligence, and other residential and commercial construction issues.
Education
University of Houston Law Center - J.D., 2018
Texas A&M University - B.S., cum laude, 2015
Job Titles:
- Associate in the Dallas
- Attorney Dallas / Fort Worth
Amy Rauch is an associate in the Dallas office of Cokinos | Young. Amy's practice focuses primarily on insurance coverage issues. In that regard, she regularly provides insurance advice to clients in the construction industry, including contractors, owners, and subcontractors. This includes advising clients on insurance and indemnity provisions in contract documents at the outset of their projects to help them manage and transfer risk, as well as advising them in disputes with their insurance companies following a claim. She frequently leads the pursuit of defense and indemnity from additional insured carriers on behalf of general contractor and subcontractor clients and has successfully obtained a defense from one or more additional insured carriers for those clients in multiple construction defect and employee injury cases.
However, Amy also provides insurance coverage advice to individuals and businesses outside of the construction context to help ensure that their insurers honor their obligations under a wide range of insurance policies, including professional liability policies, crime policies, inland marine policies, commercial property and auto policies, and homeowners policies.
In addition, she co-authored the Legal Foundations of Professional Liability article in Professional Liability Insurance, which was published by International Risk Management Institute in 2019, and the "Construction Update" article for the State Bar of Texas 18 th Annual Advanced Insurance Law CLE (Webcast) on October 1, 2021.
Education
Southern Methodist University, Dedman School of Law - J.D., cum laude, 2015
Andres Gonzalez is a civil defense lawyer with a talent for trial advocacy and almost twenty years of experience preparing powerful defenses and trials. Andres' primary areas of practice include commercial litigation, construction law, personal injury defense, and labor and employment. He utilizes a combination of expert analytical, investigative, organizational, negotiation and litigation skills and is passionate about defending his clients' cases before a jury. Andres has experience as a small-business owner and manager and understands the challenges that many of his clients face when confronted with major litigation.
Education
University of Houston Law Center - J.D., 2001
Cornell University - B.S. Economics, 1996
Anne's analytical and detail-oriented approach to the law stems from her background in science and mathematics. A native of the Midwest, she obtained her Bachelor of Science in Molecular and Integrative Physiology in 2003 as a Chancellor's Scholar at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. True to her major, she has always remembered that even the smallest details can have drastic impacts on a case.
Her experience proved useful at Georgetown Law, where she worked as a research assistant in the field of income taxation and edited numerous articles for the Georgetown International Environmental Law Review, earning her Juris Doctorate in 2006.
Anne particularly enjoys tackling and briefing the complex legal questions that are at the heart of construction and insurance litigation. But she also recognizes the importance of and has devoted much of her career to the legal issues impacting every business, including employment discrimination, wage and hour disputes, ethics compliance, and employment eligibility.
Tony Golz's practice focuses primarily on commercial litigation and appellate matters for a wide range of clients. He has represented contractors and owners, as well as product designers and distributors in commercial disputes involving construction defect/delay claims, mechanic's and materialman's lien claims, product liability claims, breach of contract claims and DTPA/Insurance Code claims. Tony is Board Certified in Appellate Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization.
Tony graduated Cum Laude from the University of Houston Law Center, where he also served as the Head Senior Articles Editor for the Houston Business and Tax Law Journal. After graduation, Tony served as the Briefing Attorney for former Justice Wanda McKee Fowler of the Houston (Fourteenth) Court of Appeals, where he gained valuable appellate experience.
Education
University of Houston Law Center - J.D., cum laude, 2007
University of Texas at Austin - B.A., High Honors, 2000
Beau E. LeBlanc is a member of the firm with a practice focusing on complex commercial litigation, construction-related dispute resolution and advice, general contract advice, as well as admiralty and insurance litigation. Among the clients Beau serves are onshore and offshore energy and marine general and EPC contractors, shipyards, marine and rig fabrication companies, land-based contractors and vendors, design and engineering firms, marine transportation and offshore service companies, marine and energy power manufacturers/service providers, and heavy equipment manufacturers.
Beau has significant experience in prosecuting and defending against claims in complex commercial, construction, maritime and insurance matters, in state and federal courts - on the district court and appellate levels - in Louisiana, Texas and Mississippi, as well as in domestic and international arbitrations administered by the American Arbitration Association and the London Court of International Arbitration.
Beau's litigation and arbitration experience has included the preparation, litigation and/or trial of claims addressing: commercial contract breaches, delay, disruption and acceleration, cumulative impacts, disputed changes orders, warranty or guarantee obligations, force majeure, contractual liquidated damages, non-competition agreements, breach of fiduciary duties, fraudulent transfers, builder's risk and other insurance coverage issues, bonds/letters of credit, exoneration from and/or limitation of liability and personal injury/death.
Beau has negotiated, drafted or advised upon a wide range of commercial and construction-related contracts, including EPC contracts, new construction and repair contracts, master service agreements, design and engineering contracts, purchase orders, professional service agreements, joint venture/teaming agreements, bonds and letters of credit, non-competition agreements, as well as charter party and other agreements in the admiralty context.
Prior to undertaking his private practice, Beau served as a full-time law clerk from 1998-1999 to the Honorable G. Thomas Porteous, Jr., District Court Judge, U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Louisiana.
Education
University of Virginia School of Law - J.D., 1998
Georgetown University - B.A., with honors, 1995
Bianca Cedrone focuses her practice on defending personal injury claims including, catastrophic injury and wrongful death claims. She has extensive experience in defending: trucking and commercial motor vehicle accidents, product liability, premises liability, construction site injuries, construction defects, automobile accidents, and Texas Non-Subscriber claims. Bianca believes in taking an efficient approach to litigating cases, being responsive to clients, and putting forth an aggressive defense in a cost-efficient manner.
Bianca has represented numerous businesses and individuals in wrongful death and catastrophic injury claims, including premises owners, product designers and manufacturers, general contractors and subcontractors, trucking companies, and hotels. Bianca has defended cases involving road construction, electrical system installation, HVAC and plumbing work, and construction defect claims. Other cases include defending businesses from subrogation or contribution claims in property damage situations and claims against nonsubscription employers.
Education
South Texas College of Law - J.D., 2012
Job Titles:
- Attorney Houston
- Attorney in
Blake Jones is an attorney in Cokinos | Young's Houston Office. Blake's practice is primarily focused on construction law and commercial litigation, and his experience covers a variety of disputes involving breach of contract, differing site conditions, mechanic's and materialman's liens, and construction defects.
Blake received his J.D. from Baylor Law School, where he competed as an advocate in the Emory Civil Rights and Liberties moot court competition and won an award for the Top 3 Appellate Briefs. Blake additionally served as Baylor Law Student Ambassador, a member of the Baylor Business Law Society, and a Barrister in Baylor Law's intra-school moot court competitions. As an undergraduate at The University of Texas at Austin, Blake majored in Energy Finance and earned a Certificate of Energy Management from the McCombs School of Business.
Education
Baylor Law School - J.D., 2020
University of Texas at Austin - B.A. Energy Finance, 2017
Branson Rogers is an attorney in the Austin office of Cokinos | Young. His practice primarily focuses on construction law and commercial litigation. Prior to joining the firm, he gained significant litigation experience representing numerous clients in various personal injury cases, including premises liability, product injuries, dangerous animal litigation, trucking, and motor vehicle collisions. He has experience walking clients through all phases of litigation from filing, through discovery, depositions, mediations, and ultimately trial. Additionally, he has negotiated numerous settlements for countless satisfied clients.
Branson received his J.D. from Baylor Law School where he graduated in the Top Ten Percent of his class. During law school, he stayed involved as an Articles Editor for the Law Review and a member of Baylor's Barrister Society. Additionally, he already began exercising his passion for client representation, becoming a Finalist in the ABA Regional Client Counseling Competition.
Education
Baylor Law School - J.D., cum laude, 2017
Brian Pounds is an attorney in Cokinos | Young's Austin office. His practice focuses primarily on construction and commercial litigation. Prior to joining the firm, Brian served as a judicial intern for the Honorable David Hittner, Judge, of the Southern District of Texas, the Honorable Jerry Zimmerer, Justice, of the Fourteenth Court of Appeals of Texas, and worked at a boutique appellate firm handing complex federal and state appeals. Additionally, while attending the University of Houston Law Center, Brian was involved with a number of organizations, including the Houston Business and Tax Law Journal, the Legal Writing Fellows, the Mock Trial Team, and the Moot Court Team, where he received an award for Second Best Brief and Second Best Advocate at the ABA National Appellate Advocacy Competition Regional.
An aggressive and tactical litigator, Chance Decker focuses on resolving high-stakes disputes for businesses in the energy, pipe and steel distribution, construction and real estate industries. Chance also represents clients in a variety of employment litigation matters, including non-competition and trade secret disputes. He enjoys working on cases with challenging issues and helping his clients navigate the legal system in a bold and efficient manner.
Education
University of Houston Law Center - J.D., 2009
Texas A&M University - B.S., Geography: GIS Specialization, 2006
Job Titles:
- Alumni Association, Life Member
Charles Getman has more than 40 years of litigation experience representing medium and large business clients in Texas and New York, with particular expertise in sophisticated commercial litigation in federal and state courts and arbitration, with an emphasis in major construction failures/disputes, intellectual property, and professional liability. Charles has worked with national, regional, and local property developers, contractors and vendors, professional and amateur sports leagues, teams and players, and businesses in commercial disputes such as multi-party construction design/defect, federal and state securities claims, industrial disputes, trade secrets and other intellectual property, and professional liability.
Education
University of Houston - J.D., 1981
State University of New York at Buffalo - B.A., 1978
Job Titles:
- Attorney in
- Attorney San Antonio Austin
Christian C. Trevino is an attorney in Cokinos | Young's Austin office. Raised around his family's construction business, Christian brings a unique background and firsthand experience of construction law. His practice focuses primarily on construction law and commercial litigation. Christian's experience covers a variety of areas including mechanic's liens, construction defect cases, contract and payment disputes, and contract negotiations.
Christian received his bachelor's degree in Economics from Texas A&M University and his law degree from the University of Texas School of Law where he was President of the Texas Business Law Society, an editor for the Texas Journal of Oil, Gas, and Energy Law, and a leader in the Texas Law Society and Dean's Fellow Program.
Education
University of Texas School of Law - J.D., 2020
Christopher C. Wan is an attorney in the Houston office of Cokinos | Young. His practice focuses primarily on resolving complex commercial and industrial construction disputes through litigation and arbitration. Chris's experience covers a variety of disputes involving refineries, chemical plants, pipelines, water treatment plants, high-rise condominiums, and university buildings, among other commercial and industrial projects. Chris graduated from the South Texas College of Law, where he served as the Texas State Bar- Construction Law Journal Student Editor. Prior to his legal career, Chris was an engineer specializing in highway design, with notable projects including State Highway 45 and State Highway 130 in Austin, Texas. Further, he worked alongside developers and contractors to assist with the design and planning phase of the tollways. Chris is fluent in Cantonese.
Education
South Texas College of Law - J.D., 2013
University of Texas at Austin - B.S. Civil Engineering, 2005
Born and raised in Northern New York, Christopher grew up and worked on a small dairy farm. Since 2009, Christopher has represented general contractors and subcontractors with respect to commercial private and public works, both at the state and federal level. Christopher's practice particularly focuses on drafting, filing and defending construction claims, preparation of mechanic's and materialmen's liens, private and public bond claims, contract interpretation, as well as general business litigation. Christopher enjoys advising his clients, both at the pre-construction level, whether it be in reviewing and revising contract agreements, the negotiation level in preserving his client's interests prior to signing agreements with third parties, as well as, during the construction phase in dealing with delay and schedule analysis, extra work, nonpayment issues and indemnity / insurance issues. For years, Christopher has zealously represented his clients during the disputes phase, whether it be in private arbitration, before the American Arbitration Association, state, and federal courts, or at the administrative level, including, but not limited, meandering through the challenging TxDOT claims process. At all phases, Christopher uses his experience and small town farming upbringing to provide hardening, resilient, analytical, yet common sense approach to his practice and his clients' everyday legal issues.
Education
St. Mary's University School of Law - J.D., 2009
Syracuse University at Utica - B.A. Government & Politics, magna cum laude, 2006
Job Titles:
- Associate
- Attorney San Antonio
Cody Graham is a trial lawyer and associate attorney in the San Antonio office of Cokinos | Young. Cody has extensive experience in defending against construction defect claims, trucking accident suits, workplace injury claims, and general business disputes. Prior to joining Cokinos | Young, Cody focused his practice on the pursuit of subrogation claims on residential and commercial property losses involving millions of dollars in dispute. In his subrogation practice, Cody was lead counsel on a multitude of suits asserting faulty construction, installation errors, and products defect liability. Cody has tried over a dozen cases in state court and through arbitration, including first-chair jury trial experience. In addition, Cody has appellate experience including the submission of briefings up to the Texas Supreme Court.
Cody is a San Antonio native and attended the University of Texas at Austin, where he received a degree in economics and was honored as a University College Scholar. He then attended Penn State University to obtain his Juris Doctor. Throughout law school, Cody was elected three times to serve in the Student Bar Association, acting as Chair of the Honor Code Committee in his final year. Cody also competed as an advocate, brief writer, and coach in the internationally-recognized Philip C. Jessup International Moot Court Competition, which holds proceedings before a simulated International Court of Justice on a variety of foreign policy issues.
Biography
Cory Curtis focuses his litigation practice on complex business disputes, construction cases, and injury defense. From prelitigation counseling to trial, Cory helps his clients achieve both their legal and business objectives.
Job Titles:
- Principal and General Counsel Houston
- Principal in Charge of the Commercial Litigation Practice Group
Biography
Craig Power is the Principal in charge of the Commercial Litigation practice group at Cokinos | Young and concentrates his practice in complex commercial litigation, construction litigation, bankruptcy matters and debtor-creditor rights issues. Craig has represented creditors, creditor committees and bankruptcy trustees in bankruptcy courts across the country. Craig is a frequent author and speaker on bankruptcy topics and collection issues as they affect the lending, credit and construction industries. Craig also serves as the Firm's General Counsel, responsible for the handling of the Firm's legal matters.
Education
Texas Tech University - J.D., cum laude, 1979
Indiana University - B.A., with High Distinction, 1976
Craig Clendenin's practice involves arbitration and litigation in both state and federal trial and appellate courts throughout Texas. As a litigator, Craig has tried well over 150 jury trials to verdict in well over a dozen counties throughout Texas and in all United States Federal Districts in Texas. He represents individuals, corporations and business clients in claims focusing primarily on construction, real estate and finance on behalf of Owners, General Contractors and Subcontractors, but in his 36 years of trying cases, his trial and arbitration experience has involved matters ranging from failed business ventures to securities, personal injury, toxic tort, environmental, trucking, and general contract law.
Education
South Texas College of Law - J.D., 1983
University of Texas at Austin - B.A., 1980
Clients embroiled in bet-the-company appeals and high-stakes litigation call on Dana for the type of broad and deep experience that an experienced and savvy appellate lawyer can bring. A board-certified appellate specialist, Dana is recognized as one of the premier appellate practitioners in the state, with particular expertise before the Fifth Circuit and the Supreme Court of Texas. A former Law Clerk for the Fifth Circuit and a former Staff Attorney at the Supreme Court of Texas, Dana is equally fluent in both state and federal appellate matters.
During her more-than-30-year career, Dana's wide-ranging experience in appellate advocacy and complex legal issues covers a diverse range of substantive law. Known for her ability to weave creative problem-solving with the meticulous analysis that the appellate process demands, she frequently works with trial counsel on strategy, key discovery disputes, legal motions, crafting and arguing the jury charge, and error preservation during and after trial to achieve an early litigation victory or lay the groundwork for a successful appeal or mandamus.
Because of her extensive appellate expertise, Dana was appointed by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization to serve on its Civil Appellate Examination Commission for six years. Dana is also an Adjunct Professor of Law at the University of Texas School of Law where she has taught Appellate Advocacy for many years.
On the national stage, the American Bar Association selected Dana as the Editor in Chief of the two-volume multi-jurisdictional appellate practice guide, the Appellate Practice Compendium, and to author the Fifth Circuit chapter of that book. Dana is a sought-after speaker at CLE programs on a wide range of appellate practice topics.
Dana entered private practice with the Houston office of Vinson & Elkins LLP and was a partner for 15 years with the Austin office of the appellate boutique Alexander Dubose Jefferson & Townsend LLP where she was the managing partner. She has been Board Certified in Civil Appellate Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization since 1995.
Education
University of Texas School of Law - J.D., with honors, 1990
Job Titles:
- Principal
- Principal in the Houston Office
Darrell Taylor is a Principal in the Houston office of Cokinos | Young, where he is a member of the Corporate & Real Estate Transactions practice group.
After practicing for more than twenty-five years, Darrell has an extensive history of supervising and documenting a multitude of transactional matters for large public companies as well as smaller private ventures. His areas of expertise are:
Mergers, acquisitions, divestitures, investments
Debt and equity financings
Contract and commercial matters
Corporate governance and Board of Directors matters
Education
University of Texas School of Law - J.D., with honors
University of Texas at Austin - B.B.A Finance, with honors
David is a native Houstonian and graduate of Bellaire High School. He received his undergraduate degree from the University of Houston and his law degree from South Texas College of Law. David works as a transactional real estate attorney with a focus on the telecommunications industry, including the acquisition of easements and leases, title review, and risk assessment related to telecommunications tower sites. David also has significant experience representing clients in connection with the acquisition, development, and disposition of property as well as the negotiation of commercial and retail leases.
Education
South Texas College of Law - J.D., magna cum laude, 2014
David L. Tolin is an Principal at Cokinos | Young in Houston, Texas. David focuses his practice on the transactional aspects of construction law and routinely assists clients in preparing and negotiating all types of contracts and related project documents. He represents contracting parties across the spectrum of construction projects, from large-scale industrial and EPC projects to commercial and residential construction, and his clients include owners, contractors, subcontractors, and design professionals. David also counsels clients on business and legal issues that arise during construction and helps clients vigorously assert and protect their mechanic's lien and bond rights. He is a frequent speaker at seminars and presentations across the state of Texas, and his writings concerning contract and lien law have been featured in numerous trade and industry publications.
Education
South Texas College of Law - J.D., summa cum laude, 2010
Lamar University - B.S. Communication, 2002
Job Titles:
- Associate in the Dallas
- Attorney Dallas / Fort Worth
Sam Crecelius is an associate in the Dallas office of Cokinos | Young. Sam represents clients in all phases of litigation, including mediation, trial, and appeals. A decorated U.S Army combat veteran, Sam knows the value of hard work, discipline, and perseverance in the face of adversity, and he applies those values to each case he handles. His practice focuses on coverage litigation, as well as construction defect litigation, commercial litigation, and premises liability litigation. For each client, regardless of the subject matter, Sam leverages his real-world experience to obtain a favorable outcome.
Education
Texas A&M University School of Law - J.D., summa cum laude, 2017
University of Dallas - B.A., 2002
Job Titles:
- Attorney Houston
- Attorney in the Houston
Graham Quinn is an attorney in the Houston office of Cokinos | Young. His practice primarily focuses on construction law and commercial litigation, representing residential, commercial, and industrial construction clients. Graham received his J.D. from South Texas College of Law Houston in May of 2021. While in law school, Graham served as a judicial intern for the Honorable Richard Hightower, Justice, of the First Court of Appeals of Texas. Graham received his B.B.A. in Management from Texas Tech University in May of 2018.
Education
South Texas College of Law Houston - J.D., 2021
Texas Tech University - B.B.A., 2018
Job Titles:
- Founder
- Principal Houston
Gregory Cokinos is a founder of Cokinos | Young and he has earned a reputation as one of the preeminent lawyers in his field. Gregory's practice includes all aspects of industrial and commercial construction, including pipelines, power plants, processing plants, refineries, highway construction, offshore production and drilling platforms, office buildings, high rise condominiums and schools. Gregory also has extensive experience in real estate transactions and development, having represented owners, developers, landlords and tenants in all areas of commercial real estate acquisition, financing, development, leasing and sale. His project involvement includes central business district office buildings, health care facilities, shopping centers, housing developments and apartments.
Job Titles:
- Litigation Council of America Fellow
Job Titles:
- Lawyers Association: Former Council Member
Parker Fauntleroy is an experienced litigator and trial counselor whose practice primarily focuses on working with companies involved in catastrophic claims and complex disputes in Commercial Construction, Oil and Gas, Electrical, Communication and Gas Utilities, and Trucking Industries. Parker operates from a philosophy that protecting the client's brand and business relationships is one of the most critical components of his work. He serves as a trusted advisor to clients; protecting and advancing their interests and bringing peace of mind on critical issues that might otherwise keep business owners up at night. Parker places great emphasis on acquiring an in-depth understanding of the client's business model, and he develops expertise in the client's particular business sector in order to marry industry know-how with optimal service. With this knowledge, Parker develops reasonable, practical and often unique solutions to his clients' problems. Parker is a forward thinker, and he provides proactive assistance to guard against future issues and protect the viability and productivity of the business.
Parker is described by his clients as steadfast, tenacious, conscientious, creative, and committed. He has significant and successful experience resolving matters through skillful negotiations, both pre-suit and during litigation. Parker's reputation is well known, and he has successfully tried numerous cases to verdict, providing his clients the trial option when required.
Parker is firmly committed to helping shape the legal minds of the future, and he gives back to the community by sharing his wisdom and expertise. He has taught as an Adjunct Professor for Civil Trial Advocacy at South Texas College of Law and he has presented at a multitude of seminars and conferences.
Education
South Texas College of Law - J.D., 1994
Job Titles:
- Senior Counsel
- Leader of Legal
Shannon Gatlin is the firm's sole attorney Board Certified in Labor and Employment Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. Shannon began his legal career as a Briefing Attorney to Justice William J. Boyce of the Texas Fourteenth Court of Appeals in Houston. Shannon has extensive experience briefing cases before state and federal courts at both the trial and appellate levels, including the United States Supreme Court.
Shannon serves as a mediator for labor and employment cases throughout Texas, having recently obtained the designation of Candidate for Credentialed Mediator, Texas Mediator Credentialing Association, and is available to handle mediations statewide via remote means such as Zoom and Microsoft Teams. Shannon also serves as a member of the American Arbitration Association's Panel of Employment Arbitrators, where he sits as a neutral party and decides employment law disputes between opposing parties who have chosen to arbitrate rather than go to court.
In addition, Shannon has served as a leader of legal writing and motions practice during his career, while also mentoring young attorneys and law clerks. Shannon has built upon his passions for employment law and mentoring attorneys by developing a novel practical skills course focused on drafting and negotiating employment agreements that he teaches as an Adjunct Professor at South Texas College of Law in Houston. Shannon has also written and presented regularly on a wide variety of employment law topics, ranging from best practices in hiring and promotions to dealing with employment issues related to COVID-19 to the intricacies of requests for medical leave and accommodations. Shannon has considerable experience speaking to clients' workforces, employer groups, government panels, and trade associations nationwide at events and conventions, providing them with practical insights related to employment law issues relevant to them.
Shannon represents clients with labor and employment issues in both government agency actions and in litigation in state and federal courts nationwide. Shannon also plays a significant role in clients' efforts to prevent lawsuits and to comply with state and federal employment laws. Prior to law school, Shannon spent seven years in the television news industry, working in the capacities of reporter, anchor, and director over the course of his broadcasting career. Shannon is happily married with two children and lives in Fulshear, Texas.
Education
Wake Forest University School of Law - J.D., 2008
Duke University - B.A., 1998
Job Titles:
- Principal
- Civil Trial Lawyer and Outside Counselor
Jim Ewbank is a civil trial lawyer and outside counselor who has tried a wide variety of civil cases, both Plaintiff and Defense, including over 125 jury trials. Jim has been Board Certified by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization for both Civil Trial and Personal Injury Trial Law since 1987. He was elected as an Advocate by the American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA) in 2000. In addition to his talents in the courtroom, Jim is a decorated expert in the legal community as a respected author, speaker, and professor. In 1982, Jim was bestowed the Outstanding Law Review award by the Texas Bar Foundation, having co-authored with Hon. Bob Shannon, and in the years of 2003, 2004, 2009-2019, Jim has been named a Business Litigation Super Lawyer by Thomson Reuters in Texas Monthly.
Jim is consistently looked to as an expert in the areas of civil trial techniques and substantive areas of civil litigation and employment law and is frequently asked to speak at State and local seminars for a variety of related topics. In addition to sharing his valued knowledge with the legal community, Jim is a popular speaker and preeminent expert on risk management for fraternities and sororities nationwide. He has handled most of the major high profile cases involving fraternities since 1990.
Jim places great value on strong legal education as well as using his experience to pay it forward. He served as an Adjunct Professor of Law at the University of Texas School of Law, teaching Trial Tactics from 1986 - 1998 as well as coaching their National Mock Trial teams to multiple championships. For the last ten (10) years, Jim has served on the faculty of multiple NITA courses on "Building Trial Skills" and TADC Trial Academies. He was an original member of the Robert Calvert Inn of Court in 1987.
Jim has served as outside General Counsel for a large number of small to medium size businesses and Public Housing Authorities for the last 25 years, providing advice and guidance on a wide range of legal matters.
James Richards is a problem solver who serves as a trusted and experienced advocate and advisor for his clients with a focus on construction law and commercial litigation. James is Board Certified by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization in Construction Law and is a go-to lawyer for large complex disputes.
James has represented individuals and corporations in a variety of matters ranging from defective construction, to business disputes, to real estate, to director and officer liability. His trial experience includes both jury and bench trials. Additionally, James has significant experience representing property owners associations, contractors, developers, energy companies, and business owners throughout the State of Texas. James has been selected to the Texas Rising Stars list each year from 2018 through 2023 and was named to the Best Lawyers in America: Ones to Watch list for 2021 and 2022. James is also a Member in the State Bar College and serves as a Texas Bar Foundation Fellow.
James received his B.A. from the University of Texas at Austin with highest honors (summa cum laude) and his J.D. from SMU Dedman School of Law, cum laude. While in law school, he was nominated for the Judge John Kennedy Scholarship for Outstanding Contribution to the Law School, received several moot court awards, served as Articles Editor for SMU's International Law Review, earned Dean's List recognition, and was an active participant in the Legal Clinic Program. Through his work in the clinic program, James tried a case in Dallas County Court at Law to a jury verdict while still in law school.
Education
Southern Methodist University, Dedman School of Law - J.D., cum laude, 2011
University of Texas at Austin - B.A., Highest Honors (summa cum laude), 2008
Job Titles:
- Attorney Dallas / Fort Worth
- Attorney in the Dallas
Jared Norton is an Attorney in the Dallas office of Cokinos | Young. His practice primarily focuses on construction, insurance coverage, and commercial litigation. Prior to joining Cokinos | Young, Mr. Norton solely represented design and engineering professionals against malpractice, construction defect, breach of contract, and indemnity claims. Mr. Norton is experienced in all aspects of litigation in state courts from initial answer or petition, discovery, and case strategy to preparing and arguing motions, conducting depositions, and trial or arbitration preparation.
Education
Southern Methodist University, Dedman School of Law - J.D., 2017
Texas A&M University - B.B.A. Finance, 2014
Jaskiran ("Jas") Samra is a litigation lawyer who is a member of the Cokinos | Young Greek Organization Litigation Practice Group, working out of the San Francisco Office. With attention to detail and a variety of expert professional skills involving complex litigation, she currently focuses her practice on litigation and risk-management issues relating to Greek organizations and other fraternal groups. Jas is experienced in the areas of catastrophic injury, commercial litigation, fraud and breach of fiduciary duties, and has represented a variety of national and local clients.
Education
University of Pittsburgh School of Law - J.D., 2013
University of Michigan - B.S., 2009
Jay Farwell has over 25 years' experience as a civil trial lawyer handling complex construction matters, as well as commercial, consumer, employment, insurance, and administrative cases. He is Board Certified in Construction Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. Jay represents general contractors, owners, subcontractors, material suppliers, design professionals and governmental entities in all types of construction cases including defective construction, collections, contractual disputes, delay and interference claims, design professional liability, differing site conditions, misappropriation of construction trust funds, insurance coverage, administrative, and other types of disputes. Jay has tried many cases to juries and to the Court in both state and federal courts, and regularly represents parties in arbitration proceedings. He handles appeals in state and federal appellate courts. Jay is also an experienced mediator.
Education
Texas Tech University - J.D., 1992
University of Texas at Austin - B.A., Government, 1988
Job Titles:
- Principal
- Principal in the Houston Office
John Warren is a principal in the Houston office of Cokinos | Young. John is Board Certified by The Texas Board of Legal Specialization in Construction Law and focuses his practice on all types of major industrial, commercial, and residential construction, development, and real estate. Although he often helps clients avoid litigation through early involvement in the project's lifecycle, John is frequently asked to handle disputes relating to design and construction defects, delays, loss of productivity, differing site conditions, mechanic's and materialman's liens, and performance and payment bond issues in the public and private sectors. John has counseled clients with respect to projects involving large petroleum processing facilities, tank farms, marine terminals, pipelines, dredging operations, convention centers, airports, schools, hospitals, hotels, federal government buildings, multi-level office buildings, condominiums, fire stations, commercial/retail buildings, strip malls, roads, bridges, master-planned developments, raw land, and residences.
In addition to his litigation practice, John also regularly drafts, reviews, and negotiates all types of construction (including EPC), real estate, and development contracts, as well as commercial leases and commercial lending packages.
Prior to his career as an attorney, John earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Architectural Engineering from the University of Texas at Austin and worked for several years as a Project Manager for a high-end general contractor. As a Project Manager, John acted as the liaison between owners, architects, engineers and subcontractors on a variety of different construction projects, gaining valuable experience and insight into the construction industry.
John is a frequent speaker and author concerning various legal issues affecting the construction industry. John is a council member of the Construction Law Section of the State Bar of Texas, is the current Immediate Past Chair of the Houston Bar Association's Construction Law Section, and is the founding Editor of The Change Order, a monthly publication reporting on significant cases affecting Construction Law, which is distributed in connection with the State Bar of Texas Construction Law Section. John is also an active member of several industry organizations.
Education
St. Mary's University School of Law - J.D., 2008: Comment Editor, St. Mary's Law Journal, Phi Delta Phi Legal Honors Fraternity, External Advocacy Program - Mock Trial
University of Texas at Austin - B.S. Architectural Engineering, 2002
No stranger to a construction site, John Grayson worked his way through college as a laborer, equipment operator and pouring concrete in the Houston area.
Immediately upon graduation from Baylor University School of Law, Grayson went to work defending major aircraft manufacturers and industrial equipment suppliers in several high stakes cases involving multiple deaths and serious injuries. For 39 years, John has concentrated on major, complex litigation. The breadth and sophistication of Grayson's experience are unequaled as evidenced by his recognition by Best Lawyers in America in three categories: Construction Law, Construction Litigation and Personal Injury Litigation - Defendents. Grayson's work on everything from major pipeline, commercial and residential construction matters to mass tort and securities class and mass actions has taken him from coast to coast and to many foreign countries. His clients include owners, developers, general contractors, energy contractors, ammunition manufacturers, utilities and fiber optic companies in trials and arbitrations. He also represents design professionals, individuals, physicians, physician groups and attorneys. Clients describe John's style as aggressive, intellectual and practical. In addition to his training as a Mediator, Grayson is a Panelist with the American Arbitration Association (AAA) for Construction Disputes.
A frequent contributor to the Construction Law Journal, John's work has also been published in the Texas Bar Journal. He has presented at the Center for International Legal Studies in Salzburg, Austria is a regular presenter on EPC Contract and Risk Management and energy-related trade groups.
John has been AV rated for over 30 years, is a member of TX Oil and Gas Association, the FDCC, and maintains membership in the Construction, Litigation, Insurance and Aviation sections of the State Bar of Texas.
Education
Baylor University School of Law - J.D., 1983
Texas A&M University - B.A. History, cum laude, 1980
National Mediation Academy, Dallas, Texas, 2003
Prior to starting his legal career in 2003, John was heavily involved in the construction industry in New York and New Jersey. He started in the construction industry by working as a laborer, progressing to labor foreman, assistant superintendent, and ultimately superintendent on many heavy highway and heavy civil construction projects throughout the Northeast. John's hands-on field experience includes bridges, piers, highways, airports, and underground construction. While working in the field, John also attended New Jersey Institute of Technology, where he received his B.S. degree in Civil Engineering in 2000, with honors. John is a member of Chi Epsilon - the Civil Engineering Honors Society - and is also the recipient of the 1998 Robert Ridgeway Award acknowledging him as the top engineering student in New Jersey for 1998.
John received his Juris Doctorate degree in 2003 from Widener University School of Law, located in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. His practice focuses primarily on heavy civil construction and commercial litigation. John remains actively involved in the construction industry and attends meetings and seminars with the various construction associations throughout the country. John is a member of the state and federal bars for New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania and Texas. When John is in Texas he will be in the Austin office.
Education
Widener University School of Law - J.D., 2003
Johnathan Bailey is a former name and founding partner in the firm Bailey & Bailey, P.C. where over 25 years of practice he built a reputation for knowledge and excellence in representation of construction, service, IT and manufacturing companies seeking to do business with the numerous agencies of the federal government and the State of Texas. Now Johnathan has brought that 25 years of knowledge and experience to Cokinos | Young.
Johnathan has litigated more than 250 bid protests involving billions of dollars in federal contracts before the US Government Accountability Office (GAO) and the United States Court of Federal Claims. Johnathan has also prepared, negotiated and litigated hundreds of Contract Disputes Act claims with dozens of federal contracting agencies and litigated before all existing (and previously existing) Boards of Contract Appeals and the FAA's Office of Dispute Resolution.
Coming from a small firm environment, Johnathan has extensive experience in representation of small business federal contractors, including especially socio-economic programs administered by the US Small Business Administration including the 8(a) Business Development, Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business, Woman-Owned Small Business and HUBZone programs.
The wide range of challenges faced by federal contractors has also given Johnathan many years of experience in range of federal contracting matters including Department of Labor (Service Contract Act and Davis-Bacon Act) compliance, suspension and debarment proceedings, and qui tam litigation under the federal False Claims Act.
Education
St. Mary's University - J.D., 1996
University of Texas at Austin - B.A. Government, 1991
Job Titles:
- Attorney Houston
- Attorney in the Houston
Joseph Walker is an attorney in the Houston office of Cokinos | Young. His practice focuses primarily on construction law and commercial litigation. Joseph received his J.D. from South Texas College of Law Houston, where he served as Vice President for the Construction Law Society. While in law school, he also served as a judicial intern for the Honorable Delinda Gibbs-Walker of the 1-A District Court.
Education
South Texas College of Law Houston - J.D., 2019
Harding University - B.B.A. Accounting, 2016
Harding University - B.B.A., Business Management, 2016