Blog
The International Society of Primerus Law Firms Welcomes Shaw Cowart, LLP
Austin law firm, Shaw Cowart, LLP, has been accepted into the Business Law Institute (PBLI) by The International Society of Primerus Law Firms February, 2018 – Austin, Texas based law firm, Shaw Cowart, LLP has been accepted into the Business Law Institute (PBLI) in addition to previously becoming a Personal Injury member by The…
Our Approach When Representing a Client in a Breach of Contract Claim
Attorney John Cowart discusses how Shaw Cowart LLP approaches a breach of contract claim. Each case is different and it may sound simple, but there are complexities in every case. Questions that should be asked include: Where should a suit be filed? Is the defendant solvent? Will your claim stand on appeal? If you…
Hildalgo County Border Fence-Levee Case Ends with Dismissal of RICO Claim
Following a four-year investigation and in the wake of remarks by a visiting judge that he “wrestled to find enough smoke to suggest that there is a fire some place”, the final claim remaining against Hidalgo County Drainage District No. 1’s former manager, Godfrey Garza, Jr., was voluntarily dismissed by the attorneys representing the…
Enforcing Oral Contracts In Texas
While this may come as a surprise to many, in Texas, most oral agreements are legal and enforceable. Unfortunately, problems arise when an oral contract dispute comes to court. Without a written agreement, the contract can become a case of “he said/she said.” To avoid such disputes, let’s briefly review the requirements for an oral…
Business Disputes Make the Holidays Even More Stressful
Holidays are particularly stressful for business owners. As a business owner, you have to deal with the ongoing stress of managing your employees and customers, cooperating with your business partners as well as business challenges that arise every day. During the holiday season, an additional layer of stress is piled on top of all…
Court of Appeals Overturns $663 Million Federal False Claims Act Jury Verdict
The 5th Circuit Court of Appeals sided with Trinity Industries and overturned a $663 million federal False Claims Act jury verdict from 2014. As argued by Ethan Shaw at the trial of the case, the appeals court concluded there was no fraud committed on the government by Trinity since the government continuously approved and…
Business Interruption Insurance Claims Post-Hurricane Harvey
Hurricane Harvey hit Texas hard—especially in Houston, Beaumont, and Hardin, Jefferson, Orange, Chambers, and Harris counties—and caused upwards of $180 billion in damage. If your business has been forced to shut down partially or entirely because of Hurricane Harvey or other natural disaster, business interruption insurance (also called “BI insurance”) may be able to…
Can a Business Sue for Defamation?
What You Need to Know About Business Disparagement Claims Negative reviews of products or services can hurt businesses, but when they are honest, these reviews can also provide key insights into how to improve. When a review or other claim is false, however, it’s a cloud with no silver lining – just damage. False…
Tips on How to Survive the Dissolution of a Business Partnership
According to the SongFacts.com website, in 1962-and again in 1975-Neil Sedaka had a hit song called “Breaking Up Is Hard to Do.” Sedaka was, of course, referring to how painful a romantic breakup can be. However, the breakup of a Texas business partnership can also be painful. This could be especially true if the…