Lamont Jefferson has extensive jury and non-jury trial experience in various jurisdictions in both state and federal courts in Texas. He has been go-to counsel on some of the most important recent cases in San Antonio, including the 2010 litigation over the multi-billion dollar expansion of the South Texas Nuclear Project; and 2009 litigation over the $26 billion Clear Channel merger. Jefferson has been lead counsel in more than 60 jury verdicts in all - most recently as co-lead counsel in successfully defending a truck driver in a multi-vehicle collision catastrophic injury case tried to a jury in Decatur, Texas in May 2011. His trial practice focuses on business, insurance, and fiduciary duty litigation. He is also a frequent speaker on litigation tactics.
Lamont's recent accomplishments include:
- Inducted into the American College of Trial Lawyers in 2004 - an invitation only organization limited to no more than 1% of the total lawyer population of any State.
- 2010 non-jury trial involving the multi-billion dollar expansion of the South Texas Nuclear Project – case tried within 6 weeks of initial filing.
- 2009 lead counsel for cross examination of financial advisers and hedge fund managers in bench trial involving the Spectrum bankruptcy.
- Lead counsel in representation of The Scooter Store in multiple jurisdictions in defense of its intellectual property rights.
- Trial and settlement of insurance coverage litigation on behalf of publicly traded corporation - total recovery of more than $17 million.
- Successful jury verdict in San Antonio in case involving contract interpretation with millions of dollars in dispute.
- Representation of beneficiary of trust valued at greater than $100 million pursuing allegations of mismanagement and breach of fiduciary duties.
Representative Publications and Speaking Engagement
- Presenter: ABOTA Masters in Trial seminars series (2009, 2011).
- Presenter: "Business Disparagement And The Internet: Libel And Slander, Injury To The Brand," State Bar of Texas - Business Torts, (2010).
- Presenter: "Evolving Issues Regarding Nonparty Electronic Discovery And The Internet," State Bar of Texas - Advanced Civil Trial Course (2009).
- "The Image and Role of a Lawyer" The University of Texas School of Law (2007).
- Presenter: "Lawyer to Lawyer: Things We Know (But are well to be reminded)" State Bar of Texas Litigation Section Professional Responsibility Program (2007).
- "Where the Buck Stops: Defending the Corporate Representative Deposition" - Texas Bar CLE (2007).
- Presenter: American Board of Trial Advocates, Masters in Trial Seminar (2007).
- Course Director and Moderator, "Brown v. Board of Education: Half Century Later…Are We Half Way There," State Bar of Texas Annual Meeting (2004).
- "Strategic Discovery, Chapter 4," State Bar of Texas (2002).
- "Managing a Serious Personal Injury Incident on a Construction Project," State Bar of Texas - Construction Law Conference (2002).
- "Damages Update" State Bar of Texas Litigation Update Institute (2000).
- "Cross Examination - Lighten Up," Advanced Civil Trial Course (1999).
- "Fiduciary Duties of Officers and Directors," University of Houston (1999).
- "Making it Stick - Enforcing Jury Waiver Choice of Law/Choice of Venue Agreements," ABA Real Estate Section (1998).
- "Caveat Spoliatorem," Spoliation of Evidence State - Bar of Texas (1998).
Honors and Awards
- Named one of The Best Lawyers in America in Commercial Litigation, Appellate Law and Bet-the-Company Litigation, 2003-2012, Commercial Litigation and Litigation - Trusts & Estates, 2012
- Named an Outstanding Lawyer in Commercial Law by the San Antonio Business Journal, 2010
- Named a Texas Super Lawyer by Law and Politics and Texas Monthly, 2003-2011 and a Top 50 Super Lawyer Central/West Texas, 2011; a Top 100 Texas Super Lawyer - Business Litigation, 2010; and a Top 50 Central/West Texas Super Lawyer - Business Litigation, 2010-2011
- Ethical Life Award from Association of Corporate Counsel, South/Central Texas Chapter, 2010
Selected Representative Experience
Online Publications
03/16/2010 -
The Storm Rages On: How Best to Obtain Texas Property Tax Reductions in a Turbulent Economic Climate
As we navigate the waters of these tough economic times, appraisal districts faced with massive city, school and county revenue losses caused by declining property values will most likely try to stem the tide by not voluntarily lowering taxpayers’ 2010 property values to their fair market values. Meanwhile, property owners struggle to reconcile the aftermath of declining occupancy rates, the bid/ask spread, and frozen financial markets with their property’s value as appraised by their local appraisal district.
05/22/2009 -
Haynes and Boone Represents Victorious Directors in Texas Supreme Court Ruling on Shareholder Derivative Suits and Demand Letters
Today the Texas Supreme Court issued a ground-breaking ruling on shareholder derivative suits against Texas corporations. The decision, In re Schmitz, et al., represents the first ruling by the highest court in Texas on the strict statutory prerequisites for commencing shareholder derivative litigation established by the 1997 amendments to the Texas Business Corporations Act (and subsequently incorporated into the more recent Texas Business Organization Code). The Court’s decision represents a significant victory for businesses that elect to incorporate under the laws of Texas. Haynes and Boone, LLP represented the directors of Lancer Corporation, the victorious parties in this case.
12/31/2008 -
Ready to Rumble? (Or…How Best to Obtain Texas Property Tax Reductions for Your Business and Residence Due to Lower Property Values)
Irresistible force, meet immovable object. The irresistible force is the drop (extreme drop in many circumstances) in taxpayers’ property values during 2008. The immovable object is appraisal districts’ desire to maintain 2009 property tax values in order to avoid massive city, school and county revenue losses.
In anticipation of Texas appraisal districts not lowering voluntarily taxpayers’ 2009 property values to their fair market values, what follows is a brief toolkit to use in preparing for the good fight.
The Reauthorization of the 1965 Voting Rights Act in 2007