Firm Profile

Cokinos | Young

USA Guide 2023

Ranked departments
Ranked lawyers
USA

Cokinos | Young

Cokinos | Young

Contact number

713 535 5500

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About

Provided by Cokinos | Young
USA

President, CEO and Managing Partner: Gregory Cokinos

Principals: 47

Number of other lawyers: 91

Firm Overview:

Founded in 1989, Cokinos | Young is a leading law firm in the construction and commercial real estate industries. With over 100 attorneys and offices in Houston, San Antonio, Dallas, Austin, California and New Jersey, Cokinos | Young has evolved into a fully integrated firm, offering a comprehensive portfolio of legal services for both public and private sector clients. In addition to representing clients on construction claims issues and contract negotiations, Cokinos | Young’s practice includes commercial litigation, commercial real estate, corporate law, insurance and risk management, bankruptcy and creditor rights, labor and employment, appellate law, and alternative dispute resolution.

Main Areas of Practice:

Construction:

■ Gregory Cokinos is the first lawyer in Houston elected to American College of Construction Lawyers

■ Leadership in local, statewide, and national bar and industry forums/construction law organizations

■ Transactional and litigation services across the industry spectrum

■ Careful negotiation and early intervention for claim prevention on the front end

Commercial Litigation:

■ At least 80% of firm’s commercial litigation centered on real estate development, construction, engineering and design matters

■ Commercial litigation group handles all appellate matters and counsels for litigation avoidance

■ Significant and complex international litigation in locations such as South America, Europe and the Middle East

Corporate:

■ Formation of business entities, including crucial tasks of selecting proper form/ management provisions

■ Acquisitions, divestitures, and mergers – from initial negotiations to closing

■ Represent global companies as well as small/midsize businesses desiring to expand market presence

■ Asset and equity acquisitions/sales, venture financing/agreements and reorganizations/ reformations

■ Complex funding arrangements, including leveraged transactions and mezzanine financing

Insurance/Risk Management:

■ Coverage litigation; duty to defend, indemnify, settle and appeal lawsuits/claims against clients

■ Extensive review of insurance coverage and business agreements to maximize contractual risk transfer

■ Complex commercial property exposures; builders risk, business interrogation, extra expense and commercial crime/subrogation issues

■ Represent sureties, principals and obligees in connection with performance, payment, bid, fidelity and myriad of other bonds associated with complex business

■ Defect, builders risk, work place injuries, design professional liability, and commercial property/ business interruption

Commercial Real Estate:

■ Large-scale land acquisitions for commercial buildings, transaction and financing issues for commercial developers, and real estate purchases/ sales

■ Real estate negotiations, transactions and documentation

■ Commercial leases, governmental/private land use regulations/compliance, management of liability risks

■ Represent some of the largest construction companies/developers in the country

■ Construction, leasing and sale/exchange of central business district properties including high-rise office towers

Bankruptcy & Creditor Rights:

■ Secured/unsecured creditors, creditors’ committees, bankruptcy trustees; special counsel in complex bankruptcy proceedings

■ Out-of-court settlement, formal bankruptcy, prosecute litigation to satisfy judgments and pre-judgment relief; sequestrations, attachments and garnishments

■ Defends against debtors, trustees and creditor committees to raid payments claimed to be voidable preferences

■ Team of corporate, transactional, and litigation attorneys, offering assistance in planning for possible liquidity issues

Labor & Employment:

■ Comprehensive and aggressive representation in employment litigation defense and administrative actions; limit future liability exposure

■ Protect employer interests in proceedings with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, Immigration and Customs Enforcement Division, US Department of Labor, Texas Commission on Human Rights, and Texas Workforce Commission

■ Consult on current trends/strategies in employment law for Associated General Contractors, Association of Builders and Contractors, Houston Bar Association and Greater Heights Chamber of Commerce

■ Title VII harassment suits, discrimination and retaliation claims, claims under Fair Labor Standards Act, benefits disputes - including Family and Medical Leave Act and ERISA questions, and state companion statutes to federal laws

■ Draft and revise employment policies and procedures including manuals, hiring, termination and employment-related decision practices

■ Advise on employment laws and enforcing rules/ regulations, non-competition agreements, intellectual property, security agreements and disputes

Appellate:

■ Broad scope including commercial and business litigation; contractual or transactional, employment, business tort, and surety disputes

■ Focused representation before Texas’ appellate courts, Texas Supreme Court, Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals and federal appeals courts nationwide

■ Proven record of success adding value to litigation practice, securing favorable decisions and representing clients’ positions in crucible of legal disputes

Alternative Dispute Resolution:

■ Full range alternative dispute resolution including all forms of arbitration and mediation

■ Representative areas: commercial, industrial (onshore and offshore), residential and highway construction, employment, real estate, lender liability, commercial fraud, deceptive trade practices, intellectual property, contract issues, personal injury and insurance coverage

■ Nationally known mediators and arbitrators provide ADR services as the neutral and serve as national trainers, seminar speakers and published authors

■ Close ties with organizations such as the American Arbitration Association keep firm at forefront of new advances

Ranked Offices

Provided by Cokinos | Young

USA - Head office
USA
  • Austin
    Las Cimas IV, 900 S. Capital of Texas Hwy, Suite 425, Austin, Texas, USA, TX 78746
    View ranked office
    Dallas
    One Galleria Tower, 13355 Noel Road, Suite 1375, Dallas, Texas, USA, TX 75240
    View ranked office

Cokinos | Young rankings

USA Guide 2023
Filter by
Band
New Jersey
Construction
1 Ranked Lawyer
Lawyers
Robert J MacPherson
1
Robert J MacPherson
1
Band 1
Construction: Mediators
1 Ranked Lawyer
Lawyers
Robert J MacPherson
1
Robert J MacPherson
1
Band 1
Texas
Construction
1 Department
4 Ranked Lawyers
Department
Construction
1
Construction
1
Band 1
Lawyers
Gregory Cokinos
Gregory Cokinos
Head of Construction
Star Individuals
Patrick J Wielinski
3
Patrick J Wielinski
3
Band 3
Stephanie O’Rourke
3
Stephanie O’Rourke
3
Band 3
U
John Warren
U
Up and Coming
Insurance
1 Department
1 Ranked Lawyer
Department
Insurance
4
Insurance
4
Band 4
Lawyers
Patrick J Wielinski
1
Patrick J Wielinski
1
Band 1
Litigation: Appellate
1 Department
2 Ranked Lawyers
Department
Litigation: Appellate
3
Litigation: Appellate
3
Band 3
Lawyers
Roger Townsend
2
Roger Townsend
Head of Litigation: Appellate
2
Band 2
Dana Livingston
4
Dana Livingston
4
Band 4