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Mr. Powers has handled a variety of complex business litigation matters, including:
Securities Litigation
- Represented an SEC receiver appointed in connection with a multi-billion dollar securities fraud; handled numerous litigation matters in the federal bankruptcy and district courts, in the United States Courts of Appeal for the Fourth and Fifth Circuits, and the Texas Supreme Court
- Lead trial lawyer in breach of fiduciary duty case against former treasurer of entity in receivership; granted $50 million jury verdict in favor of client receiver
- Represented SEC receiver in fraudulent transfer action against more than 200 former employees of Ponzi scheme entity, granted $60 million in settlements and judgment recoveries for client
- Represented SEC receiver in fraudulent transfer action against investor in Ponzi scheme, which, after jury trial and appeals to the Fifth Circuit and Texas Supreme Court, client was granted $125 million judgment and $6 million attorneys’ fees award
- Represented SEC receiver in fraudulent transfer case against five national political committees, including arguing case in Fifth Circuit and receiving affirmance of summary judgment for client
- Represented SEC receiver against foreign-appointed liquidator in bench trial involving dispute arising under Chapter 15 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code
- Represented SEC receiver in district court and at the Fifth Circuit in dispute over enforcement of arbitration agreements
- Represented a national financial services firm in Texas state district court, in Texas federal district court, and at the Fifth Circuit in cases alleging securities fraud
- Represented a broker-dealer in Texas state court lawsuit filed by former investment advisor alleging securities fraud and related theories
- Represented a multinational oilfield services company in Texas state court shareholder derivative lawsuit and in Texas federal court securities class action lawsuit
- Represented a consumer products company in Texas state court lawsuit involving allegations of breach of fiduciary duty in connection with proposed merger
Intellectual Property Litigation
- Represented multinational technology company in dispute in Texas state court concerning scope of patent license and forum selection issues; following evidentiary hearing, client awarded injunction requiring dismissal of patent infringement lawsuit filed against it in foreign court
- Represented consumer products company in Texas state court involving misappropriation of trade secrets and breach of an agreement concerning assignment of inventions
- Represented software company in Florida federal court in dispute concerning alleged misappropriation of trade secrets
- Represented a consumer products company in Nevada federal district court patent infringement lawsuit and in Texas state court lawsuit alleging violation of patent license agreement
- Represented an international medical products company in Texas federal district court lawsuit involving allegations of patent infringement and civil conspiracy
- Represented a leading manufacturer of medical equipment in patent infringement lawsuit in California federal district court
- Represented a national cellular phone company in Texas state district court lawsuit alleging trademark infringement
- Represented a manufacturer of rail equipment in Texas state district court lawsuit alleging misappropriation of trade secrets
- Represented a consumer products company in Texas state district court lawsuit alleging trademark infringement
Commercial Litigation
- Represented a pharmaceutical manufacturer in national opioid litigation in various state and federal courts across the country, including in Texas, Florida, Ohio, Illinois, Nevada, Utah, Arkansas, South Carolina, West Virginia, and Alabama
- Represented real estate financing entity in defense of Texas state court lawsuit seeking to enjoin client’s sale of collateral; following evidentiary hearing, court denied plaintiff’s requested injunction
- Represented apartment complex in appeal of an order of City of Austin Building and Standards Commission threatening penalties related to repairs required as a result of Winter Storm Uri
- Represented computer and information technology companies in Texas state court lawsuit concerning alleged breach of tax abatement agreement
- Represented a consumer products company in Texas and Florida state district court lawsuits and in private arbitrations alleging breach of contract and related theories
- Represented a medical billing service provider at Texas administrative agency, in Texas state and federal district courts, the Austin Court of Appeals, the Texas Supreme Court, and in Louisiana state and federal district courts in lawsuits and administrative matters concerning disputes with insurance carriers and third-party administrators
- Represented a national cell phone company in class action lawsuits in state district courts in Texas and Florida involving alleged violations of the Telephone Consumer Protection Act
- Represented a medical products company in Texas federal district court lawsuit alleging breach of a distribution agreement
- Represented a global management consulting and technology services company in private arbitration related to breach of an outsourcing contract by a subcontractor
- Represented former employees of manufacturer of golf course equipment in Texas state district court lawsuit alleging fraud and negligent misrepresentation
Insurance Coverage Litigation and Counseling
- Represented an SEC receiver in dispute concerning insurance coverage owed to the entity in receivership, including in the negotiation of $65 million settlement
- Represented pharmaceutical manufacturer in dispute over entitlement to defense in connection with national opioid litigation
- Represented clients in various industries in the submission of insurance coverage claims and in disputes with insurance carriers over the recovery of proceeds
- Provided advice and counseling to companies in various industries in connection with their evaluation of existing and prospective insurance policies
Energy Litigation
- Represented a leading multinational energy company in a Texas state court lawsuit alleging Texas Clean Air Act violations
- Represented a manufacturer of fracking equipment in Texas state court lawsuit alleging business disparagement
- Represented a global management consulting and technology services company in contract dispute with natural gas delivery company and in related investigation by state public utility regulatory body
- Represented an investment bank in Texas state court lawsuit alleging breach of loan agreement related to investment in drilling rig technology and seeking repossession of collateral for loan
- Represented an international chemical company in connection with third-party discovery related to chemical plant explosion
Open Records Litigation
- Represented a municipal pension system in Texas state district court, Fort Worth Court of Appeals and Texas Supreme Court in Texas Public Information Act litigation
- Represented clients in various industries (e.g., consulting firms and companies in the fields of technology, telecommunications, and infrastructure) in preparing and submitting briefing to the Office of the Texas Attorney General in support of claims for confidentiality of records and in Public Information Act lawsuits in Texas state district court