Mr. John L. Dagley | Private Law Practice

Professional Background

  Since being licensed in 1990, Mr. Dagley has tried cases for plaintiffs and defendants and represented parties on appeal in state and federal courts throughout Texas.  His clients have included individuals, small and mid-size businesses, Fortune 500 companies, and governmental entities.  Mr. Dagley's practice areas include complex business disputes, fiduciary litigation, employment, professional malpractice, securities fraud, insurance coverage and bad faith, oil and gas litigation, probate and trust litigation, trade secrets and non-compete agreements, consumer fraud, personal injury/wrongful death, and trial and appellate procedural issues.  In addition to his trial practice, Mr. Dagley has significant appellate experience, including serving as special counsel during trial to advise clients on jury charge and preservation of error issues.  He also regularly counsels clients about disputes or potential disputes outside the litigation context, particularly with respect to employment, trade secret, and non-compete issues.

  Mr. Dagley earned his undergraduate degree in business administration from Baylor University in 1988 and his law degree from Baylor University in 1990.

Representative Cases and Results

Representing Plaintiffs:

  Obtained a $9.2 million arbitration award, including $2.9 million in punitive damages, against a trust company for mismanagement of client's investment assets.

  Obtained confidential settlement for property owners in gas balancing case in which unit operator failed to account to clients for more than 40 years of production attributable to their interest in the unit. 

  Obtained verdicts and judgments in favor of the City of Houston against several vendors for fraudulent billing and supply practices.

  Obtained verdict and judgment in favor of individual against automobile dealership for deceptive trade practices in the sale of a vehicle.

  Obtained judgment in favor of offshore drilling rig supplier in claim against exploration company for breach of contract.

  Obtained recovery of president's 40 percent share of corporation for remaining shareholders based on president's breach of fiduciary duty and fraud.

  Obtained substantial, confidential recovery for individual in claims against financial services company for breach of fiduciary duty and fraud.

  Obtained substantial, confidential recovery for patient in claims against surgeon for medical malpractice arising out of eye surgery.

  Obtained substantial, confidential recovery for patient's minor children in wrongful death claims against doctor arising out of failure to diagnose heart attack.

Representing Defendants:

  Obtained verdict and judgment in favor of worker's compensation insurance carrier in claim by injured employee alleging bad faith denial of medical benefits.

  Obtained verdict and judgment in favor of insurance carrier in claim by insured alleging breach of medical benefits settlement agreement.

  Obtained favorable verdict and judgment for national manufacturer in catastrophic injury claims by contractor's employee.

  Obtained verdict and judgment in favor of national environmental company in claim by telecommunications equipment supplier for breach of contract.

  Successfully defended medical professional against injunction and non-compete claims by professional practice group.

  Successfully defended national financial services company against multiple claims by employees alleging Title VII and wage and hour violations.

Appeals:

  Obtained reversal on appeal of substantial judgment against developer for alleged breach of fiduciary duty and conspiracy.

  Obtained reversal on appeal of substantial judgment against insurance carrier for alleged insurance code violations.

  Werner v. Colwell, 909 S.W.2d 866 (Tex. 1995)

  Lexington Insurance Co. v. Buckingham Gate, Ltd, 993 S.W.2d 185 (Tex. App.-Corpus Christi 1999, writ denied).

 Texas Real Estate Holdings, Inc. v. Quach, 2002 WL 31429759 (Tex. App. - Houston [1st. Dist.] 2002)

Bar Membership and Professional Associations

  Admitted to practice in all Texas state courts, the United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas, and the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit.  Member, Texas Bar Association and Houston Bar Association.