Matt Parks

Practice Areas

Matt Parks focuses on business and commercial litigation across a variety of industries, including oil and gas, energy, healthcare, construction, and real estate. He advocates for individuals and businesses of all sizes in complex disputes ranging from partnership breakups and shareholder derivative actions to breach of contract and securities lawsuits and more.

Career

Matt Parks focuses on business and commercial litigation across a variety of industries, including oil and gas, energy, healthcare, and real estate.

Recognized by Chambers and Partners for General Litigation in Houston, Matt gained valuable courtroom experience at a Texas litigation boutique before joining Burford Perry at the firm’s inception in 2015. Since then, he has second-chaired multiple jury trials, both in federal and state court, and helped obtain favorable decisions in arbitrations. Licensed to practice in all Texas state courts, as well as the federal courts in the Southern and Northern Districts of Texas, Matt has also drafted, argued, and won multiple dispositive motions.

In addition to his Chambers recognition, Matt has been recognized by Best Lawyers in America, Commercial Litigation, in 2024; Texas Super Lawyers by Thomson Reuters, 2023; and Texas Rising Stars by Thomson Reuters, 2017-2022

With a calm, practical, reasoned manner, Matt combines competitiveness with congeniality in the courtroom and around the negotiation table—a winning approach that clients appreciate. In addition to always explaining the litigation process to them in depth, he takes the time to walk clients through timelines, discuss budgets, and candidly inform them about what to expect in terms of fees, expenses and possible outcomes.

When businesses, officers, or directors are sued—or otherwise find themselves encountering difficult challenges—many naturally react with concern and confusion. Matt’s reassurance, responsiveness and availability go a long way to allay their worries. He’s pleased to provide highly adept guidance and representation on a very personal and professional level.

Professional Memberships

Houston Bar Association, 2012-Present

Houston Young Lawyers Association, 2012-Present

Work Highlights

Red Ball Technical Gas Servs., Inc. v. Hua, Cause No. 2016-63707 in the 234th Judicial District of Harris County, Texas.

In case seeking $1.5 million from seller of chemical processing facility, our client won partial summary judgment declaring unenforceable a liquidated damages clause and non-compete contained in an asset purchase agreement. Summary judgment effectively removed plaintiff’s ability to collect damages and forced a favorable settlement.

Mike Budworth, et al. v. Frank Li & Panton Inc., Cause No. 2018-50246 in the 234th Judicial District of Harris County, Texas.

New Commonwealth Inv., et al. v. Frank Li & Panton, Inc., Cause No. 2017-59023 in the 80th Judicial District of Harris County, Texas.

Dongmei “Annie” Zheng v. Frank Li & Panton, Inc., Cause No. 2017-77055 in the 151st Judicial District of Harris County, Texas.

Helped recover the investments of six investors who were fraudulently sold securities in a Texas-based technology startup.

Lehang Lizeroux v. Great Texas Regional Center, LLC, et al., Cause No. 2017-58912 in the 334th Judicial District of Harris County, Texas.

Helped force favorable settlement for client who invested $3 million in a private securities offering to fund high-rise condominium construction.

Thomas Moran II, as Trustee for Life Partners Holdings, Inc. v. Brian Pardo, et al, Adversary No. 15-04079-RFN in the Northern District of Texas, Fort Worth Division.

Second-chaired jury trial representing Brian Pardo and Linda Robinson in suit seeking $700 million for breaches of fiduciary duty and violations of the Texas Securities Act relating to an alleged Ponzi Scheme. Used pre and posttrial motions to significantly limit damage claims. Ultimately entered into favorable post-trial settlement.

Panton, Inc. securities litigation, Harris County, Texas: Cause No. 2018-50246; Cause No. 2017-59023; and Cause No. 2017-77055

In a series of related cases, Burford Perry represented six investors in Panton, Inc., a “big data” technology startup that purported to leverage artificial intelligence. Collectively, these investors bought over $5 million in Panton stock in reliance on Panton’s misstated financials and misrepresentations regarding the state of Panton’s technology. Burford Perry filed securities fraud claims on behalf of its clients and recouped nearly all their money through confidential, pre-trial settlements.

William R. “Rusty” Nichols v. Robert H. Moses and Moses Gulf Coast Holdings, L.P., Cause No. 2019-13716

Burford Perry represented the defendants in a suit brought to compel specific performance of a contract for the sale of a 50% interest in a series of very valuable mineral and royalty interests in Louisiana. Burford Perry, on defendants’ behalf, argued that the contract was unenforceable resulting in a confidential, very advantageous settlement.

Parallax Enterprises LLC v. Cheniere Energy, Inc. v. Tellurian, Inc., et al., Cause No. 2017-49685 in the 61st District Court of Harris Court, Texas

Burford Perry represented Mr. Christopher “Bowe” Daniels, the former General Counsel of LNG company Tellurian Inc. and co-founder of Parallax Enterprises, against claims brought by rival LNG company Cheniere Energy Inc. This case commenced when Parallax alleged Cheniere breached a $500 million agreement to jointly develop a multi-billion-dollar LNG facility in Louisiana. Cheniere countered by suing Parallax, Tellurian, and four of Tellurian’s key officers, including Tellurian co-founder and former Cheniere CEO, Charif Souki. Following two years of litigation, Burford Perry filed a summary judgment on Mr. Daniels behalf, and Cheniere dismissed its claims against Mr. Daniels while the summary judgment was pending.

Education

Awards