Burford Perry

Established in 2015, Burford Perry excels in intelligent litigation strategies for a diverse clientele ranging from global public corporations to privately held Texas and Greater Houston Area businesses.The firm is engaged by boards, officers,and owners when their business encounters a crisis. Houston’s large multi-cultural communities, combined with its leadership in energy, construction, healthcare, and as an international trading hub attract entrepreneurs and closely held companies across many industries. Burford Perry’s attorneys assist these clients in navigating legal disputes that are often bet-the-company matters. Known for its deep successful experience and efficient dispute resolution through extraordinary preparation, the firm handles litigation across a broad legal spectrum, from early pre-filing dispute resolutions to complex arbitrations, trials, and appellate cases. Burford Perry's attorneys have achieved over $2 billion in combined plaintiff verdicts and settlements, while securing dismissals, summary judgments, and take-nothing judgments for clients facing alleged damages tripling that amount.

Main Areas of Practice 

Fiduciary and Shareholder Derivative Claims: Burford Perry tailors strategies for fiduciary duty issues, guiding clients through claims or defenses. Aiming for advantageous outcomes, the firm's trial lawyers, with proven courtroom success, are aggressive trial advocates when a favorable settlement is unobtainable.

In Laura Elizabeth Yosowitz, et al. v. Martin Lee Kay, et al., Burford Perry represented Laura Yosowitz, whose Greenlet LLC ownership was devalued by Martin Kay's asset transfer to a new company. Pursuing a derivative action, Burford Perry transformed the dispute into a nine-figure lawsuit. After a compelling trial, the jury found Kay liable for $138 million in damages, confirming Yosowitz’s ownership. The judge awarded her $54 million in damages and $2 million in attorneys' fees.

Energy Litigation: Trusted by companies in oil and gas disputes, Burford Perry provides business-savvy litigation counsel. Leveraging extensive experience on both sides of the docket, the firm’s lawyers secure strategic resolutions and trial outcomes. Skillfully presenting well-crafted narratives of facts from the outset through trial ensures efficient and positive outcomes aligned with clients’ goals—often before the expense of trial and appeal is required.

In Parallax Enterprises LLC v. Cheniere Energy, Inc., v. Tellurian, Inc., et al., Burford Perry defended Parallax’s and Tellurian's former general counsel against a $500 million breach claim by Cheniere Energy in connection with the development of an LNG facility. Aligned with Tellurian, the legal team played a key role in trial court proceedings, leading to Cheniere dismissing all of its claims against the firm’s client without payment.

Ownership Disputes: In cases of co-owner, partner disputes, and other business divorces, whether before or during litigation, the attorneys at Burford Perry develop business-savvy strategies to efficiently separate parties through business solutions when possible. With deep financial knowledge and heavy experience representing investors, partners, or shareholders in disputes with other owners, their companies, or their management, the firm’s lawyers collaborate to staff cases according to clients’ needs, ensuring effective guidance through potential legal minefields involved in separating business ownership.

In Muhammad Salim, et al. v. Fuad Cochinwala, et al., Burford Perry client Muhammad Salim funded a Houston imaging center chain until halted profit distributions left him shut out. Opting for arbitration during the pandemic, the firm exposed self-dealing fees and pursued derivative claims. A nine-day online arbitration awarded Salim $7.4 million. After a lengthy challenge to the award, the court confirmed the award and entered judgment that ultimately resulted in a favorable buyout of our client as a one-third owner in numerous imaging and real estate entities.

Real Estate and Construction Litigation: Strategic counsel is essential to navigate disputes about property transactions, ownership rights, and construction projects. Burford Perry's lawyers negotiate strategically or advocate vigorously to resolve disputes, protecting clients’ investments with a keen understanding of business models and motivations.

In WCW Houston Properties, LLC v. Texas REIT, LLC, et al., Burford Perry represented WCW Houston Properties in a secured promissory note dispute. When Texas REIT's owner wrongfully foreclosed with Dalio Holdings I, LLC, Burford Perry uncovered and proved hidden defendant control and inflated lien amounts on the property at issue. After four years of hard-fought litigation, Burford Perry won summary judgment for its client and, importantly, subordinated Dalio's lien on the property, securing damages of $6,967,483. Post-judgment collection proceedings are ongoing.

Securities Litigation: The experienced team at Burford Perry handles complex securities claims, representing investors seeking compensation or defending those accused of securities fraud. With decades of experience in handling these complex claims, the firm applies regulatory, business, and legal insight to craft winning strategies.

In Mike Budworth et al. v. Panton and a series of related securities suits against a tech company and its founder, our investor clients engaged Burford Perry, LLP to recover several million dollars invested in an artificial intelligence company that promised to disrupt the insurance adjusting industry by using drones to inspect damaged roofs and generate damage reports and estimates within minutes. After determining the technology did not work and that the company's sole asset was its D&O insurance, the firm shifted the case to a Texas Securities Act claim that requires no intent or reliance, unlike common law fraud, thereby staying within the insurance coverage. By detailed review of the documents, and early deposition targeting of the CEO and founder, Burford Perry favorably resolved the case before coverage was exhausted.

Business & Commercial Litigation: The litigators at Burford Perry consistently place the client at the center of all actions and prioritize the client’s desired outcome. With a close-knit team emphasizing experience, preparation, and integrity, the firm delivers focused service to efficiently resolve disputes.

In H. Thomas Moran, et al. v. Brian Pardo, et al., Burford Perry defended Life Partners’ former CEO and his partner against a $700+ million Ponzi scheme claim by disproving many of the accusations made by numerous former investors that purchased fractional interests in Life insurance policies.After hard cross-examination of Plaintiffs’ witnesses, the jury rejected the Ponzi claim despite defendants’ inability to afford any experts. A judgment of less than 3% of claimed damages was ultimately entered. Burford Perry later secured a favorable resolution for its CEO client and the complete release of the CEO's partner during the appeal.

Offices 

2 Houston Center

909 Fannin

Suite 2630

Houston, TX 77010

(713) 401-9790

[email protected]