Christopher R. Mugica
Practice Areas
Experience
- Appellate
- Arbitration
- Business Litigation
- Construction Litigation
- Labor & Employment Litigation
- Non-Compete Issues
- Product Liability
- Title Insurance & Title Company Litigation
- Trusts & Estates Litigation
Biography
Christopher Mugica is partner at Jackson Walker and former head of the Austin Litigation section. A significant part of Christopher’s litigation practice is focused on defending officers, directors, and trustees in fiduciary litigation. He also has significant experience in aiding clients with collateral issues that arise as a result of the separation or expulsion of corporate members, directors, and partners. His general commercial litigation experience includes trade secret disputes, complex commercial transactions, and disputes arising from real estate developments and improvements. In addition to his litigation practice, Christopher regularly advises corporate clients, boards, and nonprofits on general corporate governance and fiduciary responsibilities.
Education
B.A., University of Texas at Austin
J.D., Notre Dame Law School
Bar Admissions
Texas
Court Admissions
United States Supreme Court
United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit
United States District Courts for the Northern, Southern and Western District of Texas
- Experienced Conflict Resolution Specialist
- Successfully obtained reversal of adverse judgment against nonprofit organization and dismissal of all claims alleged against individual officers and directors.
- Defended non-profit association in property dispute seeking $11 million in damages under theories of tortious interference and business disparagement. Obtained a directed verdict on primary tort claims. At the conclusion of the trial, a defense verdict was rendered in favor of the client and the Court granted all relief requested by counterclaim, including attorneys’ fees, which were affirmed on appeal by the Third Court of Appeals.
- Successfully defended national insurance company in massive real estate litigation involving claims of conspiracy and fraud. Obtained summary judgment dismissing all claims against client, which was affirmed on appeal to the Third Court of Appeals.
- Defended client in a case concerning a highly contested dispute between two limited partners arising from the management and sale of millions of dollars in partnership property. Obtained a take-nothing verdict and approximately $600,000 in attorney fees. Represented the client in the Texas Fourth Court of Appeals in San Antonio where the court upheld the verdict, affirmed summary judgments obtained in his favor, and affirmed his right to recover attorneys’ fees.
- Defended homeowner’s association against a lawsuit involving liens that it had imposed upon a developer for unpaid assessments. Obtained a summary judgment resulting in the dismissal of all claims and the recovery of unpaid fees, interest, penalties, and attorney fees. Represented the client in the Third Court of Appeals where the court affirmed the trial court’s summary judgment.
- Defended a green energy client in a jury trial involving claims brought against the company by a consumer over a geothermal HVAC and solar panel installation. Obtained a take-nothing verdict in favor of the client and awarded costs against the plaintiffs.
- “Austin’s Top Attorneys” List – Civil Law Litigation, Austin Monthly, 2021-2023
- The Best Lawyers in America (Woodward/White Inc.), Commercial Litigation, 2016-2025
- Texas Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers by Thomson Reuters, 2023-2024
- AYLA Mentor Award, Austin Young Lawyers Association, 2018
- Suzanne Covington Award, 2009, 2016
- Rising Star, Super Lawyers – Rising Stars by Thomson Reuters, 2008-2010, 2012-2014
- Austin Under 40, 1998
- American Bar Association
- Capital Area Council of the Boy Scouts of America
- Executive Board Member, 2013-2018
- Chaplain, Local Area Troop, 2016-2021
- Assistant Scout Master, 2017-2021
- Leadership Austin
- Board of Directors, 2023-Present
- Essential 27, 2005-2006
- Leadership Council on Legal Diversity
- Fellow, 2013
- Executive Committee & Co-Chair of Alumni Symposium, 2015-2016
- Notre Dame Law Association and Alumni Foundation
- State Bar of Texas Minority Counsel Program
- Co-chair, 2013-2014
- Steering committee, 2011-2018
- Texas Bar Foundation, Fellow
- Nominations Committee, 2018
- Texas Rugby Alumni Association, Board of Directors, 2005-2012
- Travis County’s “Do the Write Thing” Texas Challenge Program, Co-chair, 2011-2023
- YMBL Foundation
- Board Member, 2014-present
- President, 2024-present
December 16, 2024
Newsletters
JW Belonging & Inclusion Newsletter – December 2024
View Jackson Walker’s December 2024 Belonging & Inclusion Newsletter, Perspectives.
September 17, 2024
Attorney News
Jackson Walker Congratulates Its “Texas Super Lawyers” of 2024
Jackson Walker proudly announces the selection of 71 attorneys to Thomson Reuters’ 2024 “Texas Super Lawyers” list.
Each year, less than 5% of attorneys in Texas are named to the list. Selection is based off of peer nominations that are then reviewed by a research team. Each nominee is evaluated on his or her professional accomplishments, peer recognition, and community involvement.
August 23, 2024
Newsletters
JW Belonging & Inclusion Newsletter – August 2024
View Jackson Walker’s August 2024 Belonging & Inclusion Newsletter, Perspectives.
August 15, 2024
Attorney News
‘The Best Lawyers in America’ Features 306 Jackson Walker Attorneys in 2025 Edition, Including 9 “Lawyers of the Year” and 75 “Ones to Watch”
The Best Lawyers in America has recognized 306 Jackson Walker attorneys across 81 specialty practice areas in its 2025 edition, including 9 Lawyers of the Year and 75 Ones to Watch. In this year’s guide, Jackson Walker saw the largest number of attorneys in the areas of Commercial Litigation (75 attorneys) and Real Estate Law (55 attorneys) and the addition of 27 attorneys as Best Lawyers.
July 11, 2024
Attorney News
‘Austin Monthly’ Lists 21 Jackson Walker Attorneys Among “Austin’s Top Attorneys” of 2024
Jackson Walker congratulates the 21 attorneys recognized among Austin Monthly’s list of “Austin’s Top Attorneys” for 2024. For recognition in the list, Austin attorneys must be nominated by their peers on the basis that they offer experienced counsel in one of 39 categories.
December 4, 2023
Newsletters
JW Diversity & Inclusion Newsletter – December 2023
View Jackson Walker’s December 2023 Diversity & Inclusion Newsletter, Perspectives.
September 19, 2023
Attorney News
Jackson Walker Congratulates Its “Texas Super Lawyers” of 2023
Each year, less than 5% of attorneys in Texas are named to the list. Selection is based off of peer nominations that are then reviewed by a research team. Each nominee is evaluated on his or her professional accomplishments, peer recognition, and community involvement.
August 24, 2023
Newsletters
JW Diversity & Inclusion Newsletter – August 2023
View Jackson Walker’s August 2023 Diversity & Inclusion Newsletter, Perspectives.
August 17, 2023
Attorney News
‘The Best Lawyers in America’ Honors 287 Jackson Walker Attorneys in 2024 Edition, Including 12 “Lawyers of the Year” and 80 “Ones to Watch”
The Best Lawyers in America has recognized 287 Jackson Walker attorneys across 5 offices and 82 specialty practice areas in its 2024 edition, including 12 Lawyers of the Year and 80 Ones to Watch. In this year’s guide, Jackson Walker saw the largest number of attorneys in the areas of Commercial Litigation (66 attorneys) and Real Estate Law (60 attorneys) and the addition of 35 attorneys as Best Lawyers.
July 17, 2023
Attorney News
‘Austin Monthly’ Lists 12 Jackson Walker Attorneys Among “Austin’s Top Attorneys” of 2023
Jackson Walker congratulates the 12 attorneys recognized among Austin Monthly’s list of “Austin’s Top Attorneys” for 2023. For recognition in the list, Austin attorneys must be nominated by their peers on the basis that they offer experienced counsel in one of 39 categories.
Practice Experience
- Experienced Conflict Resolution Specialist
- Successfully obtained reversal of adverse judgment against nonprofit organization and dismissal of all claims alleged against individual officers and directors.
- Defended non-profit association in property dispute seeking $11 million in damages under theories of tortious interference and business disparagement. Obtained a directed verdict on primary tort claims. At the conclusion of the trial, a defense verdict was rendered in favor of the client and the Court granted all relief requested by counterclaim, including attorneys’ fees, which were affirmed on appeal by the Third Court of Appeals.
- Successfully defended national insurance company in massive real estate litigation involving claims of conspiracy and fraud. Obtained summary judgment dismissing all claims against client, which was affirmed on appeal to the Third Court of Appeals.
- Defended client in a case concerning a highly contested dispute between two limited partners arising from the management and sale of millions of dollars in partnership property. Obtained a take-nothing verdict and approximately $600,000 in attorney fees. Represented the client in the Texas Fourth Court of Appeals in San Antonio where the court upheld the verdict, affirmed summary judgments obtained in his favor, and affirmed his right to recover attorneys’ fees.
- Defended homeowner’s association against a lawsuit involving liens that it had imposed upon a developer for unpaid assessments. Obtained a summary judgment resulting in the dismissal of all claims and the recovery of unpaid fees, interest, penalties, and attorney fees. Represented the client in the Third Court of Appeals where the court affirmed the trial court’s summary judgment.
- Defended a green energy client in a jury trial involving claims brought against the company by a consumer over a geothermal HVAC and solar panel installation. Obtained a take-nothing verdict in favor of the client and awarded costs against the plaintiffs.
Recognition & Accolades
- “Austin’s Top Attorneys” List – Civil Law Litigation, Austin Monthly, 2021-2023
- The Best Lawyers in America (Woodward/White Inc.), Commercial Litigation, 2016-2025
- Texas Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers by Thomson Reuters, 2023-2024
- AYLA Mentor Award, Austin Young Lawyers Association, 2018
- Suzanne Covington Award, 2009, 2016
- Rising Star, Super Lawyers – Rising Stars by Thomson Reuters, 2008-2010, 2012-2014
- Austin Under 40, 1998
Community Involvement
- American Bar Association
- Capital Area Council of the Boy Scouts of America
- Executive Board Member, 2013-2018
- Chaplain, Local Area Troop, 2016-2021
- Assistant Scout Master, 2017-2021
- Leadership Austin
- Board of Directors, 2023-Present
- Essential 27, 2005-2006
- Leadership Council on Legal Diversity
- Fellow, 2013
- Executive Committee & Co-Chair of Alumni Symposium, 2015-2016
- Notre Dame Law Association and Alumni Foundation
- State Bar of Texas Minority Counsel Program
- Co-chair, 2013-2014
- Steering committee, 2011-2018
- Texas Bar Foundation, Fellow
- Nominations Committee, 2018
- Texas Rugby Alumni Association, Board of Directors, 2005-2012
- Travis County’s “Do the Write Thing” Texas Challenge Program, Co-chair, 2011-2023
- YMBL Foundation
- Board Member, 2014-present
- President, 2024-present