GH&A is a sponsor of the Communities in Schools Bay Area Sip and Stroll 2023. The firm’s support ensures that the students of Clear Creek ISD and Dickinson ISD have the tools needed to succeed in school.
News
Raschke Elton joins Galveston ISD Educational Foundation
GH&A attorney, Jordan Raschke Elton, joins the Galveston ISD Educational Foundation Board of Directors for 2023-2024. The Mission of the Galveston ISD Educational Foundation is to enrich the educational experience and prepare students for the future by providing financial assistance to GISD educators, schools, and students. Jordan serves in the firm’s Commercial Litigation section.
Maritime Choice of Law Victory
GH&A attorneys, Robert A. Davee and Joseph Z. Cavanah, both members of the firm’s Maritime Law team, recently obtained an order of partial summary judgment for a defendant that provided for the proper application of general maritime law. The plaintiff sought relief under Texas state law for the alleged breach of a vessel repair contract.
Bliss appointed to New Braunfels Historic Landmark Commission
Greer Herz & Adams, LLP is pleased to announce the unanimous appointment of Jillian Bliss, who serves in the firm’s Real Estate Transactions & Finance division, to the City of New Braunfels Historic Landmark Commission. On July 24, 2023, members of the New Braunfels City Council heard from Jillian and another candidate at the council’s
Honeycutt joins Communities in Schools Bay Area
GH&A attorney, Chelsi Honeycutt, joins the Communities in Schools Bay Area Board of Directors. Chelsi is turning her passion for community and education into action through her service with Communities in Schools, the nation’s leading dropout prevention organization. Communities in Schools Bay Area serves campuses in Clear Creek and Dickinson ISD. The Board of Directors
Bail bond litigation dismissed
Attorneys from GH&A’s Commercial Litigation team, Joseph Russo, Angie Olalde and Andrew Mytelka, represented the Galveston County District Attorney in a Section 1983 civil right class action challenging Galveston County bail recommendation and pretrial procedures. Among other things, the Plaintiff alleged that the District Attorney’s practice of recommending bail at initial appearance violated an arrestee’s
GHF Acquisition of Saengerfest Park
Attorneys from GH&A’s Real Estate Transactions & Finance Group represented Galveston Historical Foundation (GHF) in its acquisition of Saengerfest Park with a sequence of property transactions beginning in January 2023 through consummation in June 2023. Saengerfest Park is one of Galveston’s major cultural assets and an integral location for GHF’s annual Dickens on the Strand,
GH&A becomes Member of Alliance of Business Lawyers
Greer, Herz & Adams, LLP is pleased to announce its acceptance as a member of the Alliance of Business Lawyers (ABL). The ABL is a dynamic global association of leading business law firms throughout the world. Many businesses and individuals need advice on an international basis in order to operate successfully in other countries. The
Subrogation Settlement
The Greer, Herz & Adams, LLP subrogation team led by David Booth successfully prosecuted a large subrogation claim for the firm’s client, American National Property and Casualty Company. Due to faulty installation of a whole-house water filtration system, the client’s insured suffered significant property damages to the insured’s home when the system failed. As a
Texas Supreme Court Victory
Attorneys from GH&A’s litigation and appellate groups, Angie Olalde, Joseph Z. Cavanah, and John G. Williamson, received a final victory for their client from the Texas Supreme Court. The GH&A team, in the Fourteenth Court of Appeals, obtained a favorable ruling that a remainder beneficiary of a trust does not have standing to challenge post-marital
Stephanie Murray – New Firm Administrator
Greer, Herz & Adams, LLP is pleased to announce that Stephanie Murray has been hired as Firm Administrator. Stephanie will be responsible for overseeing the daily operation and management of all administrative areas of the firm. She brings with her more than 18 years of administrative and management skills in law office administration, business marketing,
Greer, Herz & Adams, LLP Announces Joe A.C. Fulcher as New Managing Partner
GH&A is pleased to announce the election of Joe A.C. Fulcher as Managing Partner effective January 1, 2023. Mr. Fulcher is the successor to Andy Mytelka who stepped down from the position he held since 2007. Mr. Mytelka will continue as the head of the Litigation section while focusing on commercial litigation and insurance matters. “GH&A is a
New Partner Announced
The firm is happy to announce that Joe Cavanah was named partner in the firm, effective January 1, 2023. Joe joined the firm as an associate in 2013, after graduating from Tulane University Law School. Over the past ten years, Joe has provided counsel to hundreds of clients on issues ranging from fiduciary disputes, maritime
Stephen G. Schulz – Of Counsel
Effective January 1, 2023, Stephen G. Schulz is withdrawing as a partner at Greer, Herz & Adams. Mr. Schulz will remain in an Of Counsel role with the Firm. The Firm appreciates his service as a partner for 39 years and is pleased that he will continue his long career of hard work and dedication
Summary Judgment and Jury Trial Win for Property Developer in Declaratory Judgment Litigation
Attorneys from GH&A’s Commercial Litigation team, Bob Davee, Marc D. Young, Joe Fulcher, and Steve Schulz, won a complete victory for property developer against claims seeking to deprive it of ownership and related rights to its property. This case included complicated real property issues involving, among other things, water, submerged land, and unrecorded purported property
GH&A represents MNB in financing dry dock for Battleship Texas
Attorneys from GH&A’s Real Estate Transactions & Finance and Maritime Groups represented Moody Bank in connection with a series of lending transactions beginning in December 2021 financing the purchase and refurbishment of a floating drydock in the Bahamas with the size and lifting capacity required for the Battleship Texas restoration project. The drydock was then
GH&A Secures Victory for Hemphill County Appraisal District by upholding $90 Million Appraisals of Midcoast’s Midstream Oil and Gas Assets in Hemphill County
GH&A attorneys, Andrew Mytelka, Scott Andrews, Marc Young, and Victoria Rutherford recently secured a victory for their client, Hemphill County Appraisal District (“Hemphill CAD”), by defending Hemphill CAD in an ad valorem tax dispute concerning the 2019 and 2020 market values of midstream Oil and Gas assets owned by Midcoast. After a three-day jury trial,
GH&A advises American National Group in its $5.1 Billion Merger with Brookfield Reinsurance Subsidiary
GH&A advised American National Group, Inc. (formerly NASDAQ: ANAT) in its $5.1 billion merger with a subsidiary of Brookfield Asset Management Reinsurance Partners Ltd. (NYSE, TSX: BAMR). GH&A attorneys Greg Garrison, Sean Monticello, and Chris Lamm, in collaboration with lead counsel Sidley Austin LLP, advised the Company, and in particular the Board committee overseeing the
Navigating Unfamiliar Waters – a Primer on Boating Accident Defense
BY ROBERT A. DAVEE Robert A. Davee, Of Counsel in the firm’s South Shore office, was a featured speaker during the 2020 Texas Association of Defense Counsel’s Annual meeting on September 25, 2020. Bob presented “Navigating Unfamiliar Waters – a Primer on Boating Accident Defense,” which is also available as an article. We invite you
The Texas Supreme Court Affirms The Enforcement of an Arbitration Clause After a Jury Awards Almost $600,000 In Damages and Attorneys’ Fees
On June 26, 2020, the Texas Supreme Court held that a party does not waive its right to appeal from a final judgment by choosing not to pursue an interlocutory appeal from an order denying a motion to compel arbitration. Bonsmara Nat. Beef Co., LLC v. Hart of Tex. Cattle Feeders, LLC, No. 19-0263, 2020
Ready, Set, Go: Claims for Recovery Under the Prompt Payment Act May Change the Way Texas Insurance Appraisals Operate
By Joe Cavanah On June 19, 2020, The Texas Supreme Court affirmed its pivotal opinion in Barbara Technologies Corporation v. State Farm Lloyds, 589 S.W.3d 806 (Tex. 2019), reh’g denied (Dec. 13, 2019). See Marchbanks v. Liberty Ins. Corp., No. 18-0977, 2020 WL 3393472, at *2 (Tex. June 19, 2020). In Barbara Technologies, State Farm
GH&A represents client in nursing home sales
Attorneys from GH&A’s Corporate/Regulatory, Health Law, and Real Estate Practice Groups represented National Western Life Group, Inc. (“NWLGI”) in connection with the sale of skilled nursing facilities in Texas and Nevada owned by indirect subsidiaries of NWLGI.
Property Owner Not Covered for Guest’s Intentional Shooting
Judith Aronson, Senior Counsel with the firm, is a member of the editorial board of the IRMI Commercial General Liability Law Reporter. The editorial board is staffed through the American Bar Association Tort Trial and Insurance Practice Section. In Judy’s article, “Property Owner Not Covered for Guest’s Intentional Shooting”, she discusses the significance of a
Greer, Herz & Adams, LLP ranked in 2018 “Best Law Firms”
U.S. News & World Report and Best Lawyers, for the eighth consecutive year, announce the “Best Law Firms” rankings. Greer, Herz & Adams, LLP has been ranked in the 2018 U.S. News – Best Lawyers® “Best Law Firms” list regionally in 3 practice areas Firms included in the 2018 “Best Law Firms” list are recognized
3 Greer, Herz & Adams, LLP attorneys named to 2018 Best Lawyers® list
Greer, Herz & Adams, LLP is pleased to announce that 3 lawyers have been included in the 2018 Edition of The Best Lawyers in America. Since it was first published in 1983, Best Lawyers has become universally regarded as the definitive guide to legal excellence. Best Lawyers has published their list for over three decades,
GH&A on Texas Lawyer’s Top 100
In the July 2017 issue of the Texas Lawyer (“Midsize Texas Firms Growing in Texas Alongside National Firms”), Greer, Herz & Adams, LLP was included on The Texas Top 100 chart, which lists firms with the most lawyers in Texas. GH&A tied with two other Texas firms ranking #93 of 100, each employing 34 Texas lawyers. In 2016, the
The Government’s Golden Rule: America’s Attempts to Control Health Care Payment
J.D. Epstein, Of Counsel with the firm, a Professor and practitioner of Health Law for almost fifty years, was asked to author an article in the 50th Anniversary Edition of the American Health Lawyers Association Journal of Health & Life Sciences Law. In J.D.’s article, “The Government’s Golden Rule: America’s Attempts to Control Health Care Payment”,
Texas Shipyard Dismissed from Louisiana Litigation
New GH&A counsel Bob Davee secured the dismissal of a Texas shipyard from litigation filed in the Federal District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana. That multi-party maritime law case involves claimed damages in excess of $2,000,000 stemming from alleged contamination of a cargo of crude oil which was loaded aboard one of two
GH&A secures appellate win for Regent Care Center of the Woodlands, LP
GH&A attorney Angie Olalde successfully represented Regent Care Center of the Woodlands, LP in an appeal following a judgment and jury verdict in Regent Care’s favor. The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals decided the trial court did not improperly exclude evidence at trial, and in its opinion, the appellate court gave a detailed discussion on
Greer, Herz & Adams, LLP ranked in 2017 “Best Law Firms”
U.S. News & World Report and Best Lawyers, for the seventh consecutive year, announce the “Best Law Firms” rankings. Greer, Herz & Adams, LLP has been ranked in the 2017 U.S. News – Best Lawyers® “Best Law Firms” list regionally in 3 practice areas. Firms included in the 2017 “Best Law Firms” list are recognized
Three Greer, Herz & Adams, LLP Attorneys Named to 2017 Best Lawyers® List
Greer, Herz & Adams, LLP is pleased to announce that three lawyers have been named to the 2017 Edition of The Best Lawyers in America, the oldest and most respected peer-review publication in the legal profession. Best Lawyers has published their list for over three decades, earning the respect of the profession, the media, and the public
GH&A Receives a $3.6 Million FINRA Arbitration Award
Andrew Mytelka won a recent securities litigation lawsuit against Morgan Stanley. Mytelka successfully received a 3.6 Million Dollar FINRA Arbitration Award against Morgan Stanley Smith Barney, LLC and advisor Kim Dee Isaacson on behalf of their client, H. Keith Melton. A panel of three arbitrators found that adviser Kim Dee Isaacson had lied to his
GH&A Secures Victory for Somervell Central Appraisal District by upholding $2.3 Billion Appraisal of Comanche Peak Nuclear Power Plant
GH&A attorneys, Andrew Mytelka and Scott Andrews recently secured a victory for their client, Somervell Central Appraisal District (“Somervell”), by defending Somervell in an ad valorem tax dispute concerning the 2015 market value of the Comanche Peak Nuclear Power Plant (“CPNPP”). The trial court found that Somervell’s appraisal of CPNPP was not excessive and affirmed
Greer, Herz & Adams, LLP ranked in 2016 “Best Law Firms”
U.S. News & World Report and Best Lawyers, for the sixth consecutive year, announce the “Best Law Firms” rankings. This is the 5th year in a row that Greer, Herz & Adams, LLP has received a “Best Law Firms” ranking. Greer, Herz & Adams, LLP has been ranked in the 2016 U.S. News – Best Lawyers® “Best Law Firms”
Three Greer, Herz & Adams, LLP Attorneys Named to 2016 Best Lawyers® in America List
Greer, Herz & Adams, LLP is pleased to announce that three lawyers have been named to the 2016 Edition of Best Lawyers, the oldest and most respected peer-review publication in the legal profession. Best Lawyers has published their list for over three decades, earning the respect of the profession, the media, and the public as the most
Settlement Reached with Ernst & Young
Firm attorneys, Andrew Mytelka and David Le Blanc, represented American National Insurance Company and affiliates, and The Moody Foundation, in reaching a confidential settlement with Ernst & Young. The Company and Foundation lost over $20 million due to Ernst & Young aiding Lehman Brothers in concealing material amounts of debt through the use of Repo
Appellate Success
Firm attorneys John Buckley, Angie Olalde, and Scott Andrews achieved another appellate success when the Fourth Court of Appeals of Texas summarily denied a petition for writ of mandamus on May 26, 2015. The appellate court’s order was entered in cause number 04-15-00198-CV, In re David B.T. Myrick, Jr. The mandamus petition challenged a trial court order to
Greer, Herz & Adams, LLP ranked in 2015 “Best Law Firms”
Greer, Herz & Adams, LLP has been ranked in the 2015 “Best Law Firms” list by U.S. News & World Report and Best Lawyers® in the following areas: Metropolitan Awards Tier 1, Houston, Health Care Law Tier 2, Houston, Commercial Litigation Firms included in the 2015 “Best Law Firms” list are recognized for professional excellence with persistently impressive ratings
Two Greer, Herz & Adams, LLP Attorneys Named to 2015 Best Lawyers® in America List
Greer, Herz & Adams, LLP is pleased to announce that two lawyers have been named to the 2015 Edition of Best Lawyers, the oldest and most respected peer-review publication in the legal profession. Best Lawyers has published their list for over three decades, earning the respect of the profession, the media, and the public as the
$28 Million Refinance in Four States
Partners Stephen G. Schulz and Tara B. Annweiler recently represented National Western Life Insurance Company in a $28 million refinance of 32 convenience store properties in four states – Texas, California, Georgia and Tennessee – owned by Ashita, LLC. Sammy Virani, a well-known nationwide owner of convenience store properties is the principal of Ashita, LLC.
Victory in Breach of Contract and Breach of Warranty Lawsuit
GH&A recently obtained a victory for its client, South Shore Harbour Development, Ltd. (“SSHD”), by securing a final judgment against Atlantic-Meeco, Inc. (“Atlantic-Meeco”) in the amount of $1,448,115 together with attorneys’ fees and expenses totaling an additional $148,700. This lawsuit involved claims by SSHD against Atlantic-Meeco for breach of contract and breach of warranty arising
Porretto Beach Case Argued before the Texas Supreme Court
Andrew J. Mytelka argued before the Texas Supreme Court in Williams, et al. vs. Texas General Land Office, et al., Case No. 12-0483 on November 5, 2013, asking the Court to reinstate a $5 million jury award issued in 2009, after the trial court found the State had wrongfully taken private beach property owned by Sonya
Greer, Herz & Adams Ranked in 2014 “Best Law Firms”
Greer, Herz & Adams, LLP has been ranked in the 2014 “Best Law Firms” list by U.S. News & World Report and Best Lawyers® in the following areas: Metropolitan Awards Tier 1, Houston, Health Care Law Tier 1, Houston, Health Care Law Tier 2, Houston, Commercial Litigation Tier 2, Houston, Commercial Litigation Firms included in
Annweiler assists in acquisition of 1892 Bishop’s Palace
Tara Annweiler recently represented the firm’s longtime client, Galveston Historical Foundation, in its successful acquisition of the 1892 Bishop’s Palace from the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston. Greer Herz & Adams, LLP is proud to have been a part of this historic transaction which allows for the preservation of this most significant architectural Island landmark and secures
GHA Commercial Litigation Group Success
Partners Joseph R. Russo, Jr. and Andrew J. Mytelka achieve $17.75 Million commercial result for Port of Galveston. The lawsuit, which can be read here, joined Lexington Insurance Company, York Risk Services Group, Lancashire Insurance Co. and Allied World Assurance Company on allegations of misrepresenting insurance coverage and terms, failing to properly investigate and adjust claims
Firm Sues Galveston City Council
The Firm filed a lawsuit against the City of Galveston on behalf of the Indian Beach Property Owners after the City Council overturned a Planning Commission decision that a dog kennel on the West End of Galveston was not compatible with the neighborhood and is not in compliance with the Comprehensive Plan of the City
Schulz represents client in contracts valued at $8 million
Partner Stephen G. Schulz represented Tegrity TH1, LLC in the assignment of 57 Homeowner / Contractor Reconstruction Contracts under the City of Galveston, Texas Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery Housing Reconstruction Program from Compass Pointe Homes to Tegrity TH1, LLC. The contracts assigned had a value of $8 million.
Court of Appeals Rules Trustee Has Authority to Enter Into Lease and Encumber Trust Assets
The First Court of Appeals issued an opinion upholding the right of the Trustee of a Trust whose principal asset is a large ranch in West Texas to enter into a Lease that would extend beyond the measuring life of the Trust. The Court of Appeals also agreed the Trustee has the authority to encumber
GH&A Advises Client in Formation and Registration of Investment Advisor Subsidiary
The GH&A Corporate Practice Group advised American National Insurance Company in the formation and registration of an investment advisor subsidiary, American National Registered Investment Advisor, Inc.
Porretto Beach Case Argued in the First Court of Appeals
Andrew J. Mytelka argued in the First Court of Appeals on behalf of Appellees, Sonya and Rosemarie Porretto. In January 2009, attorneys with the Firm won a judgment in excess of $5 million on behalf of the Porrettos. In that case, the trial court also found that the State of Texas, through its General Land
Schulz Obtains Specific-Use Permit
Partner Stephen G. Schulz obtained a specific-use permit for development excavation from the City of Galveston Planning Commission and City Council to dig a canal at Anchor Bay subdivision on the West End of Galveston Island. In 2007, a coalition of West End residents and environmentalists filed a lawsuit against the U.S. Army Corps of
Adams Obtains Dismissal
On August 12th, 2010, partner Michael Adams obtained a dismissal with prejudice in the 215th Judicial District Court of Harris County on behalf of SRC Construction, Inc., Salvatore Carabetta and Carabetta Enterprises, Inc. based upon a lack of personal jurisdiction. After a lengthy evidentiary hearing, Judge Sylvia Mathews found that the defendants did not have
Summary Judgment Obtained Applying Chapter 245, Texas Local Government Code
Greer, Herz & Adams, LLP obtained summary judgment from Judge Wayne Mallia, 405th District Court of Galveston County, on behalf of the firm’s client, MB Harbour, Ltd. MB Harbour, a local real estate developer, intervened in a lawsuit brought by several League City residents against the City of League City to protect its property interests
