Corporate & Securities Litigation
Our Corporate & Securities Litigation practice is made up of seasoned trial attorneys who understand the way the business world works today. Our approach begins with a thorough understanding of our clients’ priorities and objectives, which enables us to provide effective representation in court as well as smart strategies to minimize litigation risk.
We represent several Fortune 500 companiesâincluding 9 of the Fortune 10. However, we also understand that many of the most powerful names in business are now privately held, and our client list has grown to include a significant number of partnerships, LLPs, LLCs, and private equity firms. Our attorneys have the depth of insight that comes from representing a wide range of clients from both a plaintiff and defendant perspective. In addition to public and private companies, our clients frequently include:
- Officers, directors, and trustees
- Accountants and accounting firms
- Private equity firms and hedge funds
- Individual investors and shareholders
- Financial institutions
Our securities litigation lawyers handle a wide variety of matters for clients, including:
- Fiduciary litigation
- Financial and accounting disputes
- Shareholder derivative suits
- Corporate control litigation
- SEC Section 10b and Rule 10b-5 actions
- Transactional litigation
- Class actions
We have significant experience handling and trying complex disputes throughout the U.S. In addition, we handle internal investigations and regulatory proceedings. We understand that by preparing each case rigorously as if it were going to trial, we are often able to secure an early, favorable pre-trial resolution. Furthermore, our trial-tested experience enables us to key in on the most important issues quickly, thereby increasing efficiency for our clients. At the same time, we are skilled in counseling clients to avoid disputes and minimize litigation risks. Whether zealously defending our clients in court or helping them manage or avert litigation, we view our role as partners in protecting our clients’ best interests.
Energy Litigation
Successfully defended an exploration and production company in the defense of a breach of contract and securities fraud claim in connection with an oil and gas investment in southern Louisiana.
Healthcare Litigation
Obtained a judgment for over $10 million after a five-week trial in a fraud case where the defendants represented that they had specific knowledge as to the development of surgical hospitals.
Securities Litigation
Defended an oil and gas operating company in a federal court action brought by the SEC receiver of an oil and gas exploration company. Despite the fact the client performed pursuant to the exploration and agreement, the receiver asserted claims for aiding and abetting violations of the Texas Securities Act, aiding and abetting breach of fiduciary duty, and conspiracy to commit fraud.
Derivatives Litigation
Successfully defended suit involving purchase of securities publicly offered as part of two pools of subprime residential mortgage loans in a “structured finance” transaction.
Bond Litigation
Represented holder of $22 million of convertible debentures in securities fraud case. Defeated motions to transfer venue and to dismiss in both the trial court and the Fifth Circuit to keep case in Texas.
Retail Brokerage Litigation
Represented retail brokerage firms in claims involving alleged violation of state and federal securities law, including claims involving insider trading, selling away, and Ponzi schemes. Defended claims brought by both individual plaintiffs and groups of as many as 100 plaintiffs.
Partnership Litigation
Successfully defended a Dallas developer in a $10 million partnership lawsuit that arose over construction defects on a luxury condominium project.
Commercial Litigation
Successfully defended a breach of contract case brought by an oilfield supplier. At the conclusion of a two-week jury trial, the trial team secured a judgment in favor of our client, denying the plaintiff any recovery on its multimillion-dollar claim and awarding thousands of dollars to our client on its counterclaim.
Jackson Walker Represents Higher Ed â Partners Africa, LLC in Online Education Investment
Jackson Walker represented Higher Ed Partners â Africa, LLC (HEPSA) in securing an investment from One Thousand & One Voices (1K1V), a private family capital fund supported by industry-leading family offices.
Client Results • May 16, 2018
Jackson Walker Represents Prophet Equity and Portfolio Company CID Resources in Divestiture
Jackson Walker represented Prophet Equity, a Southlake, Texas-based private equity firm, in the sale of its Coppell-based portfolio company, CID Resources, Inc., to Superior Uniform Group, Inc. for approximately $88.4 million in consideration, inclusive of approximately 150,000 shares of Superior common stock. The transaction closed on May 2, 2018.
Client Results • May 4, 2018
Jackson Walker Represents Buyer in Largest U.S. Ranch Sale of 2017
Jackson Walkerâs real estate group has successfully represented the buyer of Cielo Vista Ranch, an 83,000-acre stretch of land in Southern Colorado.
Client Results • August 22, 2017
Jackson Walker Represents Blueknight Energy Partners, L.P., in $135.9 Million Deal
Jackson Walker partners Alden Crow, Jim Ryan, and associate Joe Guajardo of the Dallas office successfully represented Blueknight Energy Partners, L.P. (NASDAQ: BKEP) (Common Units) (NASDAQ: BKEPP) (Series A Preferred Units) (“BKEP”) in the completed acquisition of nine asphalt terminals from Ergon Asphalt & Emulsions, Inc., a subsidiary of Ergon, Inc. based in Jackson, Mississippi (âErgonâ).
Client Results • October 12, 2016
Texas Supreme Court Clarifies Limits on Business Fiduciary Duties
By Chris Bankler
On February 21, 2025, the Supreme Court of Texas delivered a significant ruling in the case of Pitts v. Rivas, addressing the issue of fiduciary duties within professional relationships. The Court concluded that no fiduciary duty existed between the parties involved, emphasizing the absence of such duties in the accountant-client context under the specific facts of the case.
Insights • February 27, 2025
The Business Court of Texas Issues Key Opinions on Jurisdiction
By Chris Bankler
The Business Court of Texas, established on September 1, 2024, has issued its first round of major opinions. These rulings, authored by judges across its divisions, largely address jurisdictional questions stemming from the Business Courtâs enabling legislation.
Insights • January 9, 2025
Texas Supreme Court Reaffirms Personal Liability for Corporate Officers and Directors in Fraud Cases
By Chris Bankler
On June 28, 2024, the Supreme Court of Texas issued a ruling clarifying the personal liability of individuals acting in a corporate capacity. The case, Keyes v. Weller, addressed whether individuals can be held personally liable for fraudulent acts committed as corporate agents, even when those individuals own an interest in the company.
Insights • July 11, 2024
Super Lawyers Names 31 Jackson Walker Attorneys in Texas Top Women 2024 Magazine
Jackson Walker congratulates the 31 attorneys who were included in the Texas Top Women 2024 Magazine published by Thomson Reuters’ Super Lawyers. The annual Texas Top Texas Women edition includes the highest-rated women attorneys across the “Texas Rising Stars” and “Texas Super Lawyers” lists in a given practice area.
Attorney News • January 11, 2024
‘The Best Lawyers in America’ Honors 178 Jackson Walker Attorneys in 2022 Edition, Including 8 “Lawyers of the Year” and 31 “Ones to Watch”
The Best Lawyers in America has recognized 178 Jackson Walker attorneys across 6 offices and 67 specialty practice areas in its 2022 edition, including 8 Lawyers of the Year and 31 Ones to Watch. Best Lawyers listings are based on an exhaustive peer review survey of thousands of attorneys who vote on the legal abilities of others in their practice areas.
Attorney News • August 19, 2021
Byron Egan Discusses Delaware Supreme Court’s Ruling on Significant M&A Case
Jackson Walker partner Byron Egan spoke with Law360 about the Delaware Supreme Court’s reversal of the Chancery Court’s rejection of federal-court-only charter mandates for certain Securities Act disputes.
Mentions • December 23, 2020
Byron Egan Discusses How Lack of United Front Contributed to Cigna-Anthemâs Failed Merger
Following the Delaware Chancery ruling stemming from Cigna and Anthem’s broken $54 billion merger, corporate partner Byron Egan told Law360, “There’s a really important human factor in all these transactions.”
Mentions • September 1, 2020
Delaware Supreme Court Holds Directors’ Fiduciary Duties Require Monitoring Mission-Critical Risks
In 2015, Blue Bell Creameries USA, Inc., a Delaware subchapter S corporation headquartered in Brenham, Texas (Blue Bell), through subsidiaries made and distributed ice cream tainted with listeria bacteria.
Insights • June 28, 2019
