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James Leader, Jr.
James Leader, Jr.
Partner — Commercial & Business Litigation
Partner — Commercial & Business Litigation

James Leader, Jr.

James Leader, Jr.
Houston

Texas Tower
845 Texas Avenue
Suite 4700
Houston, Texas 77002

James Leader, Jr.

Commercial & Business Litigation

  • (AAA Arbitration) – Represented large investment fund in a week-long arbitration hearing related to a minority owner’s consent and payment rights related to the expansion of a large export facility; presented and cross-examined fact and expert witnesses on finance concepts and contract formation issues

  • (Harris Cnty.) – Defended a sports entertainment organization in trade secrets case brought by an individual, resulting in a walk-away settlement just before a motion to dismiss hearing

  • (JAMS Arbitration)  Represented an e-commerce solutions provider in dispute related to a long-term, exclusive contract

  • Represented an equipment manufacturer in connection with a post-merger dispute arising from alleged breaches of representations and warranties

  • Involved in multiple state and federal court matters related to director and officer fiduciary duties, involving both Texas and Delaware law

  • (Harris Cnty.) — Briefed and argued a summary judgment motion enforcing a liquidated damages provision in an installment contract; ultimate resolution included a substantial payment of attorney’s fees

  • Represented a private equity firm in connection with threatened litigation from minority owner of a portfolio company sold pursuant to a “drag right” provision

  • (AAA Arbitration) — Represented an international oil and gas production and exploration company in an arbitration related to an indemnity dispute arising from extensive property damage caused by a collapsed well; managed discovery efforts, deposed fact and expert witnesses, and presented and cross examined witnesses at hearing

  • (W.D. Tex.) – Representing physician and his practice in case involving antitrust claims brought by hospital and physicians group; district court awarded summary judgment, dismissing all claims

  • (D.D.C.) – Representing several large shippers in the Rail Freight Fuel Surcharge Antitrust Litigation (No. II), an MDL alleging that major railroads conspired to adopt fuel surcharges

  • (S.D. Tex.) — Defended a large global steel distributor in a six-week jury trial of claims that steel distributors and steel mills conspired to boycott new entrant in the market 

  • (Tex.) – Obtained 8-0 ruling that local taxing unit did not have statutory authority to retain private attorney on contingent fee to pursue a taxpayer for an alleged $60 million in unpaid property taxes

  • (W.D. Tex.); (5th Cir.) — Took a lead role in preparing briefs that maintained an injunction that prevented the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission from enforcing unconstitutional state statutes; also took primary role in briefing before the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals where the district court order was affirmed

  • (10th Cir.) — Prepared Respondent’s brief in support of district court’s decision that turned on the citizenship of a master limited partnership; District court decision affirmed by the Tenth Circuit

Credentials

  • The University of Texas School of Law, J.D., 2012
  • Georgetown University, B.A., History (Honors) and Political Economy cum laude, 2009
  • Legal 500 U.S., Dispute Resolution: General Commercial Disputes, 2025
  • The Best Lawyers in America© (BL Rankings, LLC), “Ones to Watch,” (Houston): Commercial Litigation, 2021–2025; Criminal Defense: White–Collar, 2022; Antitrust Law, 2023–2025
  • Global Investigations Review (GIR) 30, 2024
  • Chair of the HBA Antitrust and Trade Regulation Section (2017–2018)
  • Texas
  • Southern District of Texas
  • Western District of Texas
  • Fifth and Tenth U.S. Circuit Courts of Appeal
  • “Tenth Circuit’s Grynberg Decision Gives Clarity in Determining Citizenship of MLPs,” V&E Energy Series E-communication, November 9, 2015 (co-author)