Panton, Inc. securities litigation, Harris County, Texas: Cause No. 2018-50246; Cause No. 2017-59023; and Cause No. 2017-77055
In a series of related cases, Burford Perry represented six investors in Panton, Inc., a “big data” technology startup. Collectively, these investors bought over $5 million in Panton stock based on Panton’s misstated financials and misrepresentations regarding the state of Panton’s technology. Burford Perry filed securities fraud claims on behalf of its clients and was able to recoup nearly all their money through a confidential, pre-trial settlement.
Lehang Lizeroux v. Great Texas Regional Center, LLC, et al., Cause No. 2017-58912 in the 334th Judicial District of Harris County, Texas
Burford Perry represented Ms. Lehang Lizeroux in claims related to her $3 million investment in a high-rise apartment development. Based on their concealing the project’s proper distribution-of-proceeds waterfall (and associated risk), as well as their misrepresentations concerning the project’s funding and timetable, Ms. Lizeroux filed securities fraud claims against the project’s real estate developer and an EB-5 regional center through whom she had invested. Burford Perry resolved the case on the eve of trial and recovered most of Lizeroux’s attorney’s fees and investment.
San Marcos Ranch, Ltd., et al. v. Hilcorp Energy Co. and ConocoPhillips, Cause No. 2015-63104 in the 152nd Judicial District of Harris County, Texas
Burford Perry, on behalf of multiple large mineral interest holders, sued Hilcorp and ConocoPhillips for breaching an oil and gas lease’s most favored nations clause and underpaying over $6 million in royalties. After three years of litigation and surviving multiple summary judgment filings, Burford Perry obtained a very favorable pre-trial settlement.
Thomas Moran II, as Trustee for Life Partners Holdings, Inc. v. Brian Pardo, et al, Adversary No. 15-04079-RFN in the Northern District of Texas, Fort Worth Division
Burford Perry represented the founder and former CEO of Life Partners, Inc., Brian Pardo, and his long time partner against allegations he breached his fiduciary duties to Life Partners, violated the Texas Securities Act, and took millions in preference payments from the company. In total, the company sought $700 million and said Pardo had run the largest Ponzi scheme in Texas history. After a two-week trial, the jury found that Life Partners was not a Ponzi scheme, and the court rendered judgment for less than 4% of the $700 million sought. Burford Perry was able to obtain the complete release of one of its clients through a post-judgment settlement while the case was on appeal.
Parallax Enterprises LLC v. Cheniere Energy, Inc. v. Tellurian, Inc., et al., Cause No. 2017-49685 in the 61st District Court of Harris Court, Texas
Burford Perry represented Mr. Christopher “Bowe” Daniels, the former General Counsel of LNG company Tellurian Inc. and co-founder of Parallax Enterprises, against claims brought by rival LNG company Cheniere Energy, Inc. This case commenced when Parallax alleged Cheniere breached a $500 million agreement to jointly develop a multi-billion-dollar LNG facility in Louisiana. Cheniere countered by suing Parallax, Tellurian, and four of Tellurian’s key officers, including Tellurian co-founder and former Cheniere CEO, Charif Souki. Following two years of litigation, Burford Perry filed a summary judgment on Mr. Daniels behalf, and Cheniere dismissed its claims against Mr. Daniels while the summary judgment was pending.
Able Cabling v. Quantlab Financial
Brent Perry resolved an important case for electrical contractor threatened with bankruptcy because its largest customer refused to pay on a major contract. The case settled prior to trial for confidential amount.
AIG Highstar Capital, L.P. v Stagecoach Holding, LLC, et al.
Robert Burford represented John Thrash, E Partners, and E Corp in a dispute over the ownership of a high performance, multicycle natural gas storage facility in New York. AIG claimed a “Control Flip” had occurred that would have substantially devaluated the ownership position of Robert’s clients. The case was uniquely resolved by a sale of the entire storage facility to a third-party – Inergy, L.P. – with Robert’s clients obtaining more than $50 million in the sale and thus preserving their ownership value.
Collins v. Martinez and CAROL Crane
Brent Perry prosecuted shareholder oppression and fiduciary duty claims for the minority owner of a construction services company. During the prosecution of the case, the Texas Supreme Court sharply limited shareholder oppression actions. He was still able to settle the case for most of the claimed damages, in excess of $3 million, on the day before trial.
D Bobbit Noel Jr. v Chief Energy and Devon Energy Holding, L.L.C., et al
Robert Burford (co-counsel with Gibbs & Bruns) represented Vinson & Elkins attorney D. Bobbitt Noel in a fraud and breach of fiduciary duty case against billionaire Trevor Rees-Jones, Chief Energy and Devon Energy. Noel alleged an old friend, Rees-Jones, cheated him when he bought out Noel’s stake in a highly successful shale gas company, Chief Energy. After a several week trial and favorable jury verdict, the trial court awarded a $196 million judgment for Noel.
Francis D. John v. Key Energy Services, Inc.
Robert Burford represented the former CEO of a public oil field services company in his suit for wrongful termination. The case involved the dismissal of the client after he was blamed for the restatement of Key Energy’s financial statements following acquisition of more than 100 companies under the client’s stewardship. The case was hotly disputed but resulted in a multi-million dollar settlement for the client.
Goodrich Leasehold, LLC and Goodrich Drillers, L.L.C. v Stone Energy Corporation
Robert Burford successfully defended Stone Energy Corporation in a multi-million dollar jury trial involving allegations of fraud in connection with drilling operations under a farm-out agreement. The trial court rendered a Take Nothing Judgment against the Plaintiff.
Houston Police Officer’s Pension System v. State Street Bank
Robert Burford represented the Houston Police Officer Pension System in multi-district litigation against one of the largest banks in the country, State Street Bank & Trust along with its investment advisory arm, State Street Global Advisors. The suit involved tens of millions of losses from a complex sub-prime bond investment that was managed by State Street. HPOPS settled the case favorably prior to trial.
Houston Police Officers Pension System v. City of Houston
Robert Burford represented the Houston Police Officer’s Pension System in seeking police officers pension benefits from the City of Houston. The case settled out of Court with the City of Houston agreeing to pay more than $3 billion to police fund pension obligations.
Ikanco, Inc. v. Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering
Brent Perry obtained a $3.5 million jury verdict and $4.5 million judgment for a Texas consulting firm against a Korean ship builder. The client served as a consultant to Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering in obtaining contracts worth almost $700 million to build LNG carriers. The judgment was affirmed on appeal. The case settled for $4.7 million in 2012 and was listed as a Top Texas Verdict of 2010.
In re: Azurix Securities Litigation
Robert Burford obtained pretrial dismissal of a multi-million dollar securities claim against Azurix, Ken Lay, Jeff Skilling and Rebecca Marks. The suit involved a securities fraud action brought by Azurix shareholders in the company’s IPO. The Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed the win for Azurix, Lay, Skilling and Marks during the midst of the Enron scandal.
Integrated Health Concepts, Inc. v U.S. Diagnostic, Inc. Mohammad Athari, M.D. and Don Ballard
Robert Burford represented Don Ballard in his breach of employment contract case against U.S. Diagnostic. After a several day bench trial, the judge entered a judgment for more than $1 million in Ballard’s favor.
Kellogg v Quantum Chemical Corporation
Robert Burford represented M.W. Kellogg, successfully defending against fraud claims made by Quantum Chemical Corporation. The case involved M.W. Kellogg’s proprietary millisecond technology that was installed in Quantum’s polyethylene plant in Lake Charles, Louisiana. Quantum claimed more than $300 million in damages. After a several-week trial, the jury found no liability against M.W. Kellogg and assessed more than $13 million in damages against Quantum on a counter-claim for trade secret theft.
Legal Malpractice Cases
Robert Burford has represented several of the largest law frms in Houston, Nevada and New York. Robert has successfully defended Vinson & Elkins, Locke Lord, and Lionel, Sawyer & Collins (Nevada’s largest firm) in high profile legal malpractice cases involving alleged conflicts of interest and breach of fiduciary duty. Robert has also represented several plaintiffs against law firms for breach of fiduciary duty.
Thornton v. Martha Turner Properties
Brent Perry negotiated a favorable confidential settlement for a family that was the victim of real estate fraud in selling their 12,000 square foot home. The family’s real estate agent made false representations about a prospective buyer and encouraged the family to allow the buyer to lease the house before closing on the purchase. The prospective buyer caused significant damage to the house and failed to close on the purchase.
USA Heavylift v. Combi Lift USA and K/S Combi Lift
Brent Perry represented a Texas cargo broker who arranged for the $21 million shipment of a refinery unit on seven carriers from the Philippines to Indiana through the Great Lakes. The defendant was German firm with a Texas subsidiary. The case settled prior to trial in a Texas state court for a confidential amount.
WTG Gas Processing, L.P. v ConocoPhillips Company, et al.
Robert Burford obtained a summary judgment for his client, ConocoPhillips, in a $500 million breach of contract, fraud and negligent misrepresentation action. The case involved the sale of pipelines and gas processing facilities in West Texas. The Court of Appeals affirmed the trial court victory, and the Texas Supreme Court denied further review.
