Jeffrey A. Shadwick | Attorney

Jeff Shadwick's practice focuses primarily on commercial litigation. His practice began in 1981 handling trials and appeals arising out of the oil and gas industry. In the mid 1980's, Jeff developed a bankruptcy practice representing debtors, creditors, creditors' committees and trustees in Chapters 7, 11 and 12. He served on the panel of Chapter 7 bankruptcy trustees for the Southern District of Texas from 1990 to 1995. Jeff was board certified in business bankruptcy by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization from 1993 to 2006. In his bankruptcy practice, Jeff reorganized businesses as varied as a catfish farm and a casino cruise ship, and operated a downtown office building, scrap metal supplier and butter exporter all as either bankruptcy trustee or court appointed receiver. Throughout these years, Jeff litigated commercial issues. As a result of these experiences, he has gained vast exposure to every variety of business problem and the solutions to those problems whether found through negotiation or litigation. Jeff has worked on issues flowing from contractual disputes, employment issues, immigration, malpractice, insurance coverage, business torts and partnership disputes. Jeff litigates in state and federal court, including bankruptcy court, and assists clients with all manner of alternative forms of dispute resolution.

In December 2007, Governor Rick Perry appointed Jeff as the 55th District Court Judge, representing Harris County, to complete the term of a judge who was appointed to another court. Jeff presided over thousands of cases, and conducted jury and bench trials during his one-year tenure before returning to private practice.

Representative Experience:

• Presided over thousands of cases, and conducted jury and bench trials while serving as Judge, 55th District Court, Harris County, Texas.
• First chair for multiple jury trials.
• Representation of oil and gas drillers, investors and related suppliers relating to leasing, operations, regulatory compliance and division orders.
• Representation of real estate managers, developers and brokers in litigation relating to lease agreements, commissions and signage.
• Representation of both former employees and employers in litigation over enforcement of non- competition agreements.
• Representation of geologist in malpractice litigation filed by developer and investors.
• Representation of apartment complexes defending personal liability claims and litigation relating to contractual obligations.
• State court receiver of liquidating entities including a law firm, sandwich shop chain and beverage distributor; the primary duty in these cases was pursuing and managing litigation and collecting receivables.
• Operating receiver or trustee for a downtown office building, butter exporter and scrap metal company; duties included managing employees and delegating responsibility, supervising accounting functions, and handling litigation.
• Chapter 11 counsel for a catfish farm, casino cruise ship, employment agency and drilling company; as Chapter 11 counsel, assisted in creating, securing approval, and implementing plan of reorganization, negotiating with creditors, pursuing litigation, and extensive drafting.
• Successfully tried a four-week lender liability jury trial against multimillion-dollar claims related to bank's refusal to fund a unitized oil and gas development.