Shareholder

A native of Houston, Doug attended the University of Texas at Austin and received a B.B.A in finance. He then returned to Houston, and while employed by Texaco Inc., he obtained his law degree from South Texas College of Law. He was a member of the Order of the Lytae. Upon graduation from South Texas College of Law, Doug joined a multi-state law firm where he handled complex civil litigation. Doug is licensed to practice in Texas State and Federal courts where he has substantial courtroom experience. He is also licensed to practice before the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals.

Representative Experience

• › Late stage retention in an existing $90 million dollar toxic tort and environmental remediation case involving PCB contamination of a municipal water supply. Settled for court costs on the eve of trial. D&D Central Construction Co. v. Decker
• Obtained record jury verdict for a petrochemical company that was wrongfully sued for environmental contamination. Lowenco, Inc. v. Sea Lion Chemical Company
• Successfully prosecuted an oil and chemical environmental contamination case resulting in a multi-million dollar settlement. Zagst v. Quest Chemical Corporation
• Successfully defended industrial gas supplier in an explosion and burn case obtaining judgment in favor of client. Dustin Snell v. Airgas, Inc.
• Prosecuted third party action for a public transportation company against automobile manufacturer for a defective fuel system design resulting in a multi-million dollar contribution in a catastrophic loss and death case. Rodriguez et al. v. First Transit, Inc.
• Successfully defended a national manufacturer in a products liability action involving multiple fatalities that resulted in dismissal of claims following trial. Hooks et al. v. KDI et al.
• Successfully argued appeal before the Texas Supreme Court resulting in a reversal and opinion in favor of Penske regarding the right to offer liability coverage. Urrutia and Penske Truck Leasing Co. v. Decker

Education

University of Texas at Austin, BBA Finance
South Texas College of Law, JD

Bar Admissions

Admitted to Texas Bar 1987

Court Admissions

U.S. District Courts for the Northern, Southern and Eastern Districts of Texas
Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals

Publications & Presentations

• "Common Carriers" - CE Program for transit authorities on negligent hiring, retention and entrustment
• "Selecting & Preparing Witnesses for Deposition” - CE Program and workshop for clients and claims adjusters
• "What You Don’t Say" - CE Program on discovery under the new Texas Rules of Civil Procedure
• "Commercial Trucking & Common Carriers" - Seminar for national trucking companies, transit carriers and insurance companies on Federal Regulations
• "Electronic Discovery under the Federal Rules" - CE Program for clients and claims adjusters

Professional Affiliations

• American Bar Association
• Texas Bar Association
• Houston Bar Association

Previous Law Firm Experience

• Texaco Inc., Houston, Texas. Petroleum Land Representative. Responsible for management and acquisition of oil and gas properties in 16 South Texas Counties.
• Niewald, Waldeck & Brown, P.C., Houston, Texas and Kansas City, Missouri. Litigation Partner
• Boudreaux, Leonard, Hammond & Curcio, P.C., Houston, Texas. Litigation Partner
• Mahtook & LaFleur, L.P., Houston, Texas and Lafayette, Louisiana. Litigation Partner

Civic & Community Involvement

• Active in his church in West Houston and Houston Food Bank

AV, BV and AV are registered certification marks of Reed Elsevier Properties Inc., used in accordance with the Martindale-Hubbell certification procedures, standards and policies. Martindale-Hubbell is the facilitator of a peer review rating process. Ratings reflect the confidential opinions of members of the Bar and the Judiciary. Martindale-Hubbell Ratings fall into two categories - legal ability and general ethical standards.