Biography
Fred Sultan represents clients in Texas and nationwide in commercial litigation disputes, particularly involving eminent domain and condemnation matters.
Additionally, his practice experience includes litigation, mediation, arbitration, and appeals of a wide array of business disputes, including, trade secret, business tort, breach of contract, breach of warranty, construction, employment, partnership, probate, real property, securities, and statutory and Constitutional claims. He has advised companies in various industries such as energy and natural resources, financial institutions, healthcare, hospitality, manufacturing, and technology.
Prior to Jackson Walker, Fred served as in-house counsel for the Lower Colorado River Authority (LCRA). Prior to his work at LCRA, he practiced at the Austin office of an international law firm and, additionally, at one of Austin’s largest law firms. Upon receiving his J.D. from the University of Texas School of Law, Fred worked as a briefing attorney to Justice Mack Kidd for the Texas Third Court of Appeals.
Education
B.A., Rice University
J.D., with honors, University of Texas School of Law
- American Journal of Criminal Law, Editor-in-Chief
- The Review of Litigation, Staff Member
Bar Admissions
Texas
Court Admissions
U.S. Supreme Court
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit
U.S. District Court for the Eastern, Northern, Southern, and Western Districts of Texas
- Representation of electric utility, gas utility, and common carrier pipeline companies in eminent domain and real estate litigation.
- Representation of the owner of an oil refinery in multiple cases before federal and state trial and appellate courts concerning claims arising under the Texas Uniform Fraudulent Transfer Act.
- Negotiation and resolution of a shareholder dispute in a large local health care provider.
- Representation of inventor in multi-year trade secret and partnership dispute, including successful defense of multiple summary judgment motions and defense of jury verdict on appeal.
- Representation of major retailers in Constitutional challenges to Texas liquor laws.
- Negotiation and resolution of pole-sharing agreement between two utility companies.
- Briefed and argued matter of probate venue and jurisdiction on petition for writ of mandamus before the court of appeals.
- Representation of construction company in dispute with former partner operating in competition with the company.
- Representation of employers in disputes regarding covenants not to compete and misappropriation of trade secrets.
- State Bar of Texas, LGBTQ+ Law Section, Judge Norman W. Black Award, 2020
- Austin Bar Foundation, David H. Walter Community Service Award, 2019
- Austin LGBT Bar Association Award of Excellence, 2017
- Austin Bar Association Outstanding Director Award, 2013
- Texas Rising Star – Business Litigation, Super Lawyers by Thomson Reuters, 2008-2011
- Presenter, “Diversity By the Numbers, a Look at Diversity in Austin’s Largest Law Firms,” Austin Bar Association Equity Summit (May 2023)
- Author, “Don’t Let Office April Fool’s Day Jokes Lead to Legal Issues,” Law360 (March 2018)
- Co-Author, LGBT Issues in Employment Law, State Bar of Texas CLE Publication (2017 & 2018)
- Austin Bar Association
- Member, Appellate, Civil Litigation, Labor and Employment, and LGBTQ+ Law Sections
- Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Committee Member
- State Bar of Texas
- Member, Appellate, Civil Litigation, Labor & Employment, and LGBTQ+ Law (Counsel Chair 2015-16, Vice Chair 2014-15) Sections
- Texas Bar Foundation, Life Fellow
- Austin Bar Foundation, Fellow
- National LGBTQ+ Bar Association, Board Member (Treasurer 2022-present, Secretary 2020-2022)
- AIDS Services of Austin, Board Member, 2011-2019 (Board Chair, 2017, Co-Chair 2016, Chair-Elect 2015, Treasurer 2013-14)
- Co-Founder of the Austin LGBT Bar Association (now Austin Bar Association, LGBTQ+ Law Section)
- College of the State Bar of Texas, Member, 2000 – present
December 4, 2023
NewslettersJW Diversity & Inclusion Newsletter – December 2023
View Jackson Walker’s December 2023 Diversity & Inclusion Newsletter, Perspectives.