Civil Litigation Attorneys in Houston, TX

Plaintiff and Defense Representation in Complex Civil Litigation

Hendershot Cowart P.C. is a Houston civil litigation law firm representing both plaintiffs and defendants in complex business and commercial disputes across Texas. Whether you've been served with a lawsuit, need to enforce a contract, or face a civil claim that puts your business at risk, our civil litigation attorneys in Houston are ready to help.

For nearly 40 years, our Houston civil litigation lawyers have helped Texas businesses resolve disputes – from breach of contract and intellectual property theft to supply chain conflicts and commercial construction claims. We represent clients throughout Houston, Harris County, and across Texas, offering strategic counsel from pre-litigation through trial.

If your dispute involves a business partner, customer, vendor, or competitor, learn more about how our Houston business litigation attorneys help companies and their owners.

On This Page:

• What Does a Civil Litigation Attorney Do?
• What Types of Civil Cases Do Our Houston Attorneys Handle?
• Civil Dispute Resolution and Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) in Texas
• Our Civil Litigation Process
• When Should You Hire a Civil Litigation Attorney?

Schedule a consultation with our civil litigation attorney team in Houston. Call Hendershot Cowart P.C. at (713) 783-3110 or contact us online.

What Does a Civil Litigation Attorney Do?

A civil litigation attorney represents a business or individual in a lawsuit or dispute that doesn't involve criminal charges. Our civil litigation attorneys investigate claims, gather evidence, prepare and respond to court filings, take depositions, and negotiate settlements. We represent businesses filing claims and businesses defending against them in state and federal court.

What Types of Civil Cases Do Our Houston Attorneys Handle?

Our firm handles civil litigation for both plaintiffs and defendants in a wide range of business and commercial disputes, including:

• Breach of contract disputes – Contracts are at the heart of business transactions, and our lawyers can help you prevent or mitigate any resulting damage from a breach of contract or find legal remedies for a breach under Texas law.
• Business dispute resolution – From shareholder disagreements to vendor conflicts and unfair competition claims, we help Houston businesses resolve costly civil disputes efficiently.
• Commercial construction defect or delay claims – Litigation may arise when projects fail to meet specific standards or delays cause additional costs. Our attorneys can help you through it, whether you bring a claim or need to defend yourself against one.
• Intellectual property protection – At Hendershot Cowart P.C., we help our clients prevent, contain, and recover financial damages for theft or misappropriation of their intellectual property.
• Theft of trade secrets – We represent defendants and plaintiffs in alleged theft, misappropriation, or unauthorized use of trade secrets.
• Patent infringement claims – Our firm helps clients defend themselves against patent infringement claims so they can move forward with their business ventures.
• Defense against trademark or licensing agreement infringement – Trademarks are vital to a business’s brand and reputation, and we can help protect how they are used.
• Supply and vendor disputes – We serve buyers, suppliers, and sellers when complex disputes cause costly losses and delays.

Schedule a consultation with our Houston civil litigation team. Call (713) 783-3110 or contact us online.

Civil Dispute Resolution and Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) in Houston, Texas

Many civil disputes, including contract disagreements, business conflicts, and commercial claims, can be resolved without a trial. For business owners and executives, the outcome is often shaped long before a judge or jury weighs in. That's why we prepare every matter for both: productive negotiation and, if needed, trial.

Our Houston civil litigation attorneys negotiate on your behalf and advocate for you in mediation and arbitration at every stage of a dispute.

• Settlement negotiation. Many disputes are resolved through direct negotiation before trial. We assess the strengths and weaknesses of your position early, use discovery (the exchange of evidence between the parties) to build leverage, and prepare as if the case will go to trial. That way, you negotiate from a position of strength.
• Mediation. In mediation, a neutral mediator works with both sides to reach an agreement. Mediation is confidential, typically faster than litigation, and gives you more control over the outcome than a court verdict. We prepare you for the session and advocate for your interests throughout.
• Arbitration. In arbitration, a neutral arbitrator or panel of arbitrators hears both sides and issues a binding or non-binding decision. Many Texas commercial contracts require arbitration. Because we draft business contracts as well as litigate them, we know how these clauses work in practice and how to enforce or challenge them when they are invoked.

We help you weigh which approach best serves your goals, and we are ready to take your case to trial if negotiation, mediation, or arbitration doesn't resolve the dispute or isn't the right fit.

Our Civil Litigation Process

When you work with our team on a civil dispute, we follow a structured process designed to protect your interests and limit disruption to your business.

• Understand your goals. We start with a consultation by phone, video call, or in person. We identify the key decision-makers on your side, clarify how much risk you are willing to accept, and map out the business relationships at stake. We also ask what a win looks like for you, so our strategy reflects both legal and business realities. And we explain our fee arrangement up front, before you sign anything.
• Assess your position. Next, we review the facts and the law that apply to your situation. We measure your contracts, emails and letters, and internal policies against Texas law and any federal rules that apply. This shows us where your case is strong and where it is exposed.
• Build the case. Your matter may proceed in a Harris County district court, a county court at law, or federal court. We prepare and respond to court filings, manage the exchange of evidence and depositions, and work with accountants or industry professionals when financial or technical issues arise.
• Revisit your options. Throughout the case, we explain each deadline, hearing, and decision point in plain English. We revisit settlement opportunities, trial readiness, and business solutions with you, so you can choose the path that best fits your long-term goals.

When Should You Hire a Civil Litigation Lawyer?

Talk with a civil litigation attorney when a dispute could cost your business money, lead to a court order against you, harm your reputation, or put important business or client relationships at risk.

Common reasons business owners call us include:

• You have been served with a lawsuit or received a demand letter.
• A customer, vendor, or partner has stopped paying or performing under a contract.
• A former employee or competitor may be using your confidential information or soliciting your clients.
• A disagreement with a partner or co-owner is affecting how the business runs.

Bringing in an attorney early often gives you more options, including resolving the dispute before it reaches court.

We represent businesses throughout Houston, Harris County, and Texas.

If your business is involved in a civil lawsuit or dispute in Houston or anywhere in Texas, schedule a consultation with our civil litigation team. Call (713) 783-3110 or contact us online.