Cokinos | Young

President, CEO and Managing Partner: Gregory Cokinos

Principals: 47

Number of other lawyers: 91

Firm Overview: 

Founded in 1989, Cokinos | Young is a leading law firm in the construction and commercial real estate industries. With over 100 attorneys and offices in Houston, San Antonio, Dallas, Austin, California and New Jersey, Cokinos | Young has evolved into a fully integrated firm, offering a comprehensive portfolio of legal services for both public and private sector clients. In addition to representing clients on construction claims issues and contract negotiations, Cokinos | Young’s practice includes commercial litigation, commercial real estate, corporate law, insurance and risk management, bankruptcy and creditor rights, labor and employment, appellate law, and alternative dispute resolution.

Main Areas of Practice:  

Construction: 

■ Gregory Cokinos is the first lawyer in Houston elected to American College of Construction Lawyers

■ Leadership in local, statewide, and national bar and industry forums/construction law organizations

■ Transactional and litigation services across the industry spectrum

■ Careful negotiation and early intervention for claim prevention on the front end

Commercial Litigation: 

■ At least 80% of firm’s commercial litigation centered on real estate development, construction, engineering and design matters

■ Commercial litigation group handles all appellate matters and counsels for litigation avoidance

■ Significant and complex international litigation in locations such as South America, Europe and the Middle East

Corporate: 

■ Formation of business entities, including crucial tasks of selecting proper form/ management provisions

■ Acquisitions, divestitures, and mergers – from initial negotiations to closing

■ Represent global companies as well as small/midsize businesses desiring to expand market presence

■ Asset and equity acquisitions/sales, venture financing/agreements and reorganizations/ reformations

■ Complex funding arrangements, including leveraged transactions and mezzanine financing

Insurance/Risk Management: 

■ Coverage litigation; duty to defend, indemnify, settle and appeal lawsuits/claims against clients

■ Extensive review of insurance coverage and business agreements to maximize contractual risk transfer

■ Complex commercial property exposures; builders risk, business interrogation, extra expense and commercial crime/subrogation issues

■ Represent sureties, principals and obligees in connection with performance, payment, bid, fidelity and myriad of other bonds associated with complex business

■ Defect, builders risk, work place injuries, design professional liability, and commercial property/ business interruption

Commercial Real Estate: 

■ Large-scale land acquisitions for commercial buildings, transaction and financing issues for commercial developers, and real estate purchases/ sales

■ Real estate negotiations, transactions and documentation

■ Commercial leases, governmental/private land use regulations/compliance, management of liability risks

■ Represent some of the largest construction companies/developers in the country

■ Construction, leasing and sale/exchange of central business district properties including high-rise office towers

Bankruptcy & Creditor Rights:  

■ Secured/unsecured creditors, creditors’ committees, bankruptcy trustees; special counsel in complex bankruptcy proceedings

■ Out-of-court settlement, formal bankruptcy, prosecute litigation to satisfy judgments and pre-judgment relief; sequestrations, attachments and garnishments

■ Defends against debtors, trustees and creditor committees to raid payments claimed to be voidable preferences

■ Team of corporate, transactional, and litigation attorneys, offering assistance in planning for possible liquidity issues

Labor & Employment:  

■ Comprehensive and aggressive representation in employment litigation defense and administrative actions; limit future liability exposure

■ Protect employer interests in proceedings with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, Immigration and Customs Enforcement Division, US Department of Labor, Texas Commission on Human Rights, and Texas Workforce Commission

■ Consult on current trends/strategies in employment law for Associated General Contractors, Association of Builders and Contractors, Houston Bar Association and Greater Heights Chamber of Commerce

■ Title VII harassment suits, discrimination and retaliation claims, claims under Fair Labor Standards Act, benefits disputes - including Family and Medical Leave Act and ERISA questions, and state companion statutes to federal laws

■ Draft and revise employment policies and procedures including manuals, hiring, termination and employment-related decision practices

■ Advise on employment laws and enforcing rules/ regulations, non-competition agreements, intellectual property, security agreements and disputes

Appellate: 

■ Broad scope including commercial and business litigation; contractual or transactional, employment, business tort, and surety disputes

■ Focused representation before Texas’ appellate courts, Texas Supreme Court, Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals and federal appeals courts nationwide

■ Proven record of success adding value to litigation practice, securing favorable decisions and representing clients’ positions in crucible of legal disputes

Alternative Dispute Resolution: 

■ Full range alternative dispute resolution including all forms of arbitration and mediation

■ Representative areas: commercial, industrial (onshore and offshore), residential and highway construction, employment, real estate, lender liability, commercial fraud, deceptive trade practices, intellectual property, contract issues, personal injury and insurance coverage

■ Nationally known mediators and arbitrators provide ADR services as the neutral and serve as national trainers, seminar speakers and published authors

■ Close ties with organizations such as the American Arbitration Association keep firm at forefront of new advances