- DivorceFamily law is unlike any other practice area because it involves major changes to an individual’s personal life and family dynamic. With the personal emotions involved and the nuances of family law ever-changing, it is crucial to choose a law firm with experienced and creative professionals. At Cotten Schmidt, our family law and divorce attorneys pride themselves on our compassionate approach and dedication to innovative, cost-effective strategies.
- Child SupportIf you’re a parent navigating divorce, figuring out an ideal child custody (known as "conservatorship" under Texas law), possession and access, and child support arrangement are likely your main concerns. It's important to understand your rights and options to maximize your influence on decisions that will shape the future of your family.
- Child Custody and VisitationWhile protecting your children is your top priority, protecting your rights and best interests is ours. When you need trusted representation for a child custody dispute or modification, or guidance in crafting an arrangement, don’t hesitate to contact our team.
- Adoption
- Paternity
- Premarital AgreementA prenuptial agreement (prenup) is as a legal contract written by two individuals before their marriage. Prenups give engaged couples space to outline their assets, properties, and financial debts, as well as how they will be divided if their marriage ends.
- Spousal SupportAfter a divorce which are court-ordered. "Temporary spousal support" is different; it refers to the payments one party contributes to support their spouse
- Annulment
- Criminal DefenseIf you are a target of a government inquiry, investigation, audit, or litigation, it is imperative that you get experienced representation as soon as possible to protect your rights. Criminal defense counsel is not enough, specialized enforcement defense is a necessity. Our team at Cotten Schmidt, L.L.P. consists of seasoned attorneys and a former federal prosecutor who understand the ins and outs of the government health care investigations and audits and can advise and represent you at every stage of the process, whether it is simply responding to a request for information, testifying at a Grand Jury proceeding, or litigating a complex fraud case.
- Traffic ViolationsThere are cases in which no driver is at fault. Instead, road conditions may play a huge role in causing an accident. However, please bear in mind that truck drivers are responsible for driving safely in adverse weather conditions. Speeding during a rainstorm can be considered negligent behavior, shifting the fault to the truck driver.
- Restraining OrderPreparation, defense, and prosecution of confidentiality, trade secret, and non-compete agreements, including defense and prosecution of injunctions and restraining orders
- Corporate LawThe Corpus Christi office undertakes representation involving commercial litigation, trust and estate litigation, construction law, trucking and transportation defense, insurance defense, employment law, corporate law, toxic tort litigation, and environmental litigation.
- Mergers and Acquisitions
- Business DisputesDisagreements are inevitable in the corporate world. In 2021, 6,058 commercial litigation cases were filed in the United States. Even if you’ve taken the necessary steps of creating well-drafted documents and agreements, disputes can still arise. Shareholders disagreeing over operational decisions, products not meeting consumers’ expectations, and employees feeling as though their rights have been violated — these all have the potential to lead to litigation. Texas and Louisiana business owners depend on our commercial litigation attorneys at Cotten Schmidt to help them avoid and navigate the pitfalls of business disputes.
- Business TransactionsI was born, raised, and educated, for the most part, in Fort Worth. Like many, I have an allegiance to our fine city. During my time, I have seen Fort Worth grow in leaps and bounds while at the same time somehow maintaining its friendly small-town feel. Through the efforts of successive city leadership, the Fort Worth business community has thrived. Our firm, now in its fourth decade of operation, has served the community by representing its citizens in business transactions and when necessary, keeping the wolves at bay at the courthouse.
- Limited Liability CompaniesIn sales and acquisition transactions, we represent buyers and sellers at all stages, from the initial negotiations and due diligence through the preparation of the purchase agreements, conveyance documents, financing documents, escrow instructions, and the closing itself. Our clients include both individuals and business organizations. Our attorneys work with clients to form limited liability companies, partnerships, joint ventures, and other entities for various real estate development projects.
- Trade Secrets
- Intellectual PropertyIntellectual Property Disputes. These types of disputes are quite common due to people’s ability to access an abundance of information online. An intellectual property dispute may arise if an individual or business entity engages in the unauthorized use of copyrighted material, patents, or trademarks, as well as proprietary or trade secret information.
- Wrongful TerminationCotten Schmidt also provides representation for employees and businesses faced with employee lawsuits such as wrongful termination, workplace injuries, and harassment. Learn more about our employment law services when you get in touch with our office in Fort Worth, Texas.
- Employment Contract
- Employment LitigationCotten Schmidt, L.L.P.’s employment practice and employment litigation experience is varied and involves representation of chemical and energy companies, transportation and industrial manufacturing companies, a variety of health-care industry clients, food manufacturing and vending companies, a sporting goods company, numerous local businesses and company executives from these same industries.
- Non-compete AgreementNon-compete agreement — a contract where an employee agrees to not compete with their employer after their employment period with them ends.
- Severance AgreementEmployment Disputes. These arise when employees feel as though they have been treated unfairly by their employer. Common employment disputes include wrongful termination allegations, wage disputes, discrimination and harassment claims, and severance agreement issues.
- Real Estate LitigationOur real estate practice at Cotten Schmidt, L.L.P. also involves advising clients on a number of other issues, including zoning, easements, boundary disputes, land use, water rights, eminent domain, and environmental matters.
- Construction LitigationConstruction law encompasses a broad range of building issues and can include contractual disputes, construction defects, design defects, poor workmanship, fraud, liens, insurance and indemnity, warranty issues, governmental immunity, or damage to third persons or their property arising from the construction process.
- Real Estate TransactionsCotten Schmidt, L.L.P.’s environmental litigation experience extends over 20 years, serving our clients primarily in the areas of defense and compliance, but also as plaintiffs. Our expertise in this area is extensive and broad. It includes air, soil, water, groundwater, and underground contamination, hurricane recovery, global warming/climate change, clean-up, and compliance issues in numerous jurisdictions throughout the United States. We also provide environmental compliance counseling; and additionally advise our clients on environmental issues when they arise in otherwise non-environmental matters, from real estate transactions to shipping.
- Eminent DomainAnd the ability to take your land through eminent domain (condemnation) is not limited to the government. By law, numerous businesses that are public utilities also have that ability. With the expansion of gas exploration in our area, there has been a corresponding increase in the use of eminent domain to acquire land for pipelines.
- Easement
- Land Use and Zoning
- Landlord-Tenant DisputesOur lawyers also have significant experience in leasing transactions, representing both landlords and tenants with respect to retail leases, ground leases, build-to-suit leases, office leases, industrial leases, and subleases. We have represented both owners and tenants in the preparation, interpretation, and enforcement of their leases and subleases, including evictions and other landlord-tenant disputes.
- Property DamageOur attorneys have defended class action claims for personal injuries and property damage. Historically, Cotten Schmidt, L.L.P. has successfully defeated efforts to certify classes, participated in bellwether trials, and defended appeals.
- Personal InjuryIn personal injury matters, Cotten Schmidt, L.L.P. provides trial expertise primarily, but not exclusively, in the defense of entities and individuals. Our experience runs the gamut – premises and products liability claims, automobile, maritime, oilfield, work-site, and industrial accidents; representation of physicians, hospitals, and other health-care professionals in medical and device-related lawsuits; toxic exposure and environmental claims; mass torts and class actions. We represent businesses, industries, and individuals at every level, from Fortune 100 companies to local shops and persons. Within Texas and Louisiana, we maintain strong relationships and resources to provide essential local services and information valuable to the practice, even in remote and difficult venues.
- Medical MalpracticeThe New Orleans practice has diversified tremendously into almost every area of civil and commercial litigation, including health care, medical malpractice, all forms of products liability, employment, transportation, business and transactional litigation, class actions, construction, insurance defense, coverage, and subrogation and casualty, as well as its continuing strong admiralty, maritime, toxic tort and mass tort practices.\
- Estate PlanningCotten Schmidt, L.L.P.’s Fort Worth office began with a complementary mix of lawyers serving the legal needs of a diverse clientele in both litigation and transactional matters. That has not changed. We continue to represent multinational manufacturers in high-stakes litigation, advise medical practices and other businesses on issues such as contracts and employment matters, and assist individuals with their estate planning, family law, and tax needs. Regardless of the size of the client or the nature of the case, our goal has been, and remains, to obtain the best possible result for our client as cost-effectively as possible.
- WillsAlso referred to as a “last will and testament,†a will allows you to clearly outline how you want your assets to be distributed after you pass. In order to legally implement a will in Texas, you must be either 18 years old (or older), married/previously married, or a member of the U.S. armed forces.
- Power of AttorneyBy choosing a power of attorney (POA), you allow another person to make important decisions on your behalf in the event of your incapacitation. Many estate plans include a POA for healthcare and a POA for financial and business matters. There are numerous types of POAs available for Texas citizens to create, which is why it’s crucial to consult an attorney about which ones best suit your needs.
- ProbateOur attorneys at Cotten Schmidt guide individuals and families through a variety of estate and probate law processes. We can help you make your wishes clear by drafting enforceable documentation that will provide your executor with the instructions they need to administer your estate and, ideally, avoid any potential disputes from arising amongst your descendants.
- Bankruptcy
- Tax LawRegardless of the size or complexity of your estate, it’s important to seek counsel from an experienced attorney. There are online forms available that allow people to create a will on their own, but Texas estate and tax law can be complex. Working with an attorney can help you be certain that your estate planning documents are valid and in line with your objectives.