Emalee Hall LaFuze

Senior Associate

Complex Commercial Litigation

Overview

Emalee is a commercial litigator who has litigated, tried, and handled cases across a variety of industries and in numerous state and federal courts on topics including breach of contract, breach of fiduciary duty, fraud, oil and gas disputes, and professional-liability matters. In addition to working on commercial and business litigation matters, Emalee also practices condemnation and eminent domain litigation. She represents energy and utility clients, focusing on eminent domain law and condemnation proceedings. Emalee’s eminent domain practice involves litigation and counseling on behalf of condemning authorities, including the representation of utilities, in various courts throughout the state.

The following is a list of representative matters in which Emalee has assisted.

Experience Highlights

(Tex. App. – Dallas Cnty.) – Represented oil and gas company in breach of contract lawsuit against a software company; obtained favorable settlement
(Bankr. S.D. Tex.) – Represented an oil and gas company in a complex contractual dispute over operatorship of over 300,000 acres and 1800 wells; secured complete victory for client after six-day trial in bankruptcy court
(Tex. Dist. – Reeves Cnty.) – Represented an oil and gas company in breach of contract lawsuit against a pipe company; obtained favorable settlement
(Tex. Dist. – Reeves Cnty.) – Represented an oil and gas company in the successful resolution of a specific performance lawsuit regarding enforcement of substantial completion per the terms of the parties’ agreement
(Tex. Dist. – Harris Cnty.) – Represented an oil and gas company in the successful resolution of a breach of contract lawsuit regarding interpretation of specific terms in a purchase and sale agreement
(Tex. App. – Dallas Cnty.) – Represented an oil and gas company in a dispute over a working interest owner’s distributions and fees, including defending against claims for fraud, breach of contract, and negligent misrepresentation; successfully settled
(Tex. Dist. – Travis County) – Defended Am. Law 100 law firm in a suit by former client arising from pre-transaction antitrust advice leading to an FTC divestiture and involving over $80 million in claimed damages
(Tex. Dist. – Harris Cnty.) – Represented developer of self-storage businesses in a contract dispute with a purchaser; obtained favorable settlement