Gavin R. Villareal

Department Chair - Litigation (Austin) Partner

Gavin Villareal

Austin

P: +1.512.322.2652
F: +1.512.322.8341

Professional Liability

  • Big Four accounting firm – representation before the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission in a matter relating to audit services for an oilfield services company
  • Big Four accounting firm – complex, multiforum litigation relating to audit services performed for an international investment company, a matter that involved a state court class action lawsuit, multiple interlocutory state court appeals, an adversary proceeding in U.S. Bankruptcy Court and a suit in the Grand Court of the Cayman Islands
  • Big Four accounting firm – arbitration involving audit and consulting services performed for a regional healthcare organization
  • Big Four accounting firm – arbitration involving audit services performed for an office products wholesaler
  • Big Four accounting firm – lawsuit and subsequent appeal involving defamation claims arising from a consulting engagement for a municipal entity
  • International law firm – lawsuit involving claims arising from a putative collateralized loan obligation transaction
  • National law firm – matter involving alleged unauthorized practice of law in Texas
  • National financial services advisory firm – lawsuit arising from disqualification under a municipal ordinance
  • Major semiconductor manufacturer – numerous contractor and premises liability lawsuits

Trade-Secret Misappropriation

  • International silicone and silicone-based technology manufacturer – lawsuit alleging misappropriation of trade secrets and business processes
  • Texas computer supply manufacturer – lawsuit alleging misappropriation of trade secrets and business opportunities
  • International semiconductor research consortium – lawsuit alleging misappropriation of trade secrets and business disparagement
  • National prepaid debit card provider – multiple lawsuits and state-court appeal alleging breach of contract and misappropriation of trade secrets and business processes

Toxic Tort

  • Representation of railroad company in Texas multidistrict litigation matter involving more than 3,000 plaintiffs asserting claims arising from alleged site contamination

Energy

  • Representation of pipeline company in claims challenging the constitutionality of Texas eminent domain law

Appellate

  • Lead counsel for petitioner in the U.S. Supreme Court and for appellant in the Eighth Circuit in Food Marketing Institute v. Argus Leader Media, involving Exemption 4 to the Freedom of Information Act relating to U.S. Department of Agriculture food-assistance program store-level sales data
  • Fifth Circuit appeal involving the reliability of medical expert testimony in a medical malpractice lawsuit
  • Fifth Circuit appeal involving involuntary dismissal of claims in an inmate lawsuit
  • Supreme Court of Texas and intermediary state court of appeals matters involving statutory construction and rulemaking authority of state agency
  • Supreme Court of Texas appeal involving supervision and control issues in the context of a contractor personal injury lawsuit
  • Supreme Court of Texas appeal involving allegedly improper judicial remarks in the context of an employment discrimination lawsuit
  • Texas court of appeals matter involving the scope and applicability of the Texas Citizens Participation Act
  • Texas court of appeals matter involving the finality of a class-action settlement in the context of subsequent claims by a governmental entity
  • Texas court of appeals matter involving the finality of a summary judgment following severance by a trial court

Pro Bono

  • Numerous pro bono representations of indigent clients in family law cases through Volunteer Legal Services of Central Texas