Israel R. Silvas

Trial Experience

• As lead counsel on a two-day jury trial team in Decatur, Texas, obtained a favorable verdict on behalf of a large ranching client. Secured jury award of $1.3M in reasonable and necessary attorney’s fees.  The lawsuit was based on a dispute over the scope of mining rights for the ranch.  The trial team prevailed on two Motions for Summary Judgment, secured multiple related TROs and an injunction, and defended an interlocutory appeal in the Fort Worth Court of Appeals. 
• As lead counsel on a jury trial team in Archer, Texas, secured a favorable verdict for an oil and gas client. The jury awarded all the client’s defense costs and attorney’s fees, totaling $264,018.62.  The team successfully defended the client from fraudulent inducement and fraud by non-disclosure claims related to the sale of overriding royalty interests by obtaining a summary judgment on all of lead plaintiff’s claims. The team also secured dismissal of co-plaintiff’s claims pursuant to Rule 91A of the Texas Rules of Civil Procedure, and obtained complete recovery of attorney’s fees to prosecute dismissal motion. 
• As lead counsel on a four-day bench trial team in Dallas, Texas, defended former CEO of multimedia and trade association company against claims for breach of fiduciary duty and fraud. 
• As lead counsel on a four-day jury trial team in Longview, Texas, tried to verdict breach of contract claims on behalf of an oil and gas technology company.
• As lead associate, presented evidence and cross-examined witnesses at a six-day arbitration in Dallas, Texas pursuant to the Texas Securities Act.
• As lead associate, presented evidence (including expert witnesses) and cross-examined a party plaintiff on a four-day jury trial in Dallas, Texas, and defended against deceptive trade practices and breach of contract claims; secured complete defense verdict. 

Litigation

• Lead counsel on behalf of gun manufacturing clients defending breach of contract, patent, and theft of trade secret claims. Obtained dismissal of claims.
• Lead counsel for large ranching client asserting claims for imminent injury to property rights; secured temporary restraining order.  
• Lead counsel defending claims for fraud and breach of contract on behalf of Spanish language multimedia company. Obtained favorable settlement for client.
• Lead counsel on investigation of oil field explosion and property damage claims.
• Lead counsel defending breach of contract claims related to the sale of mineral interests in Midland County, Texas.
• Successfully prosecuted breach of contract claims against oil field equipment manufacturer, and secured recovery for client.
• Successfully negotiated payment of royalties dispute involving mineral estate in Borden County, Texas.
• Prosecuting breach of contract claims related to the sale of condensate in midstream operations, and seeking to invalidate applicability of a force majeure provision in the oil and gas industry.
• Successfully represented an oil and gas operator in South Texas in a breach of contract, negligence, and fraud lawsuit against a turnkey drilling contractor; prosecuted Spoliations Sanctions claim, and obtained favorable settlement on the eve of trial.
• Defended oil and gas operator against fraud and breach of contract claims concerning mineral working interests in multiple counties throughout Texas, and ultimately resolved the matter for client.
• Represented medical facility in prosecuting breach of fiduciary duty and fraud claims against former employees operating a competing business; obtained a temporary restraining order.
• Prosecuted breach of fiduciary duty claims in probate action involving mineral interests in Terry County, Texas.
• Defended working interest owner against breach of contract claim, and obtained a temporary restraining order that shut down a water flood project in South Texas; successfully settled claim for client on favorable terms.
• Prosecuted breach of contract and fraud claims on behalf of investor, and obtained summary judgment ruling that client was entitled to majority control over flight school operating in Fort Worth, Texas.
• On behalf of a services provider, prosecuted breach of contract claims related to the sale of hydrochloric acid (HCl) for use in fracking operations, and obtained a favorable settlement for client.
• Successfully defended mineral buyer against claims for breach of contract and fraud in oil and gas litigation in Karnes County, Texas; obtained favorable summary judgment ruling finding that client was the legal owner of mineral interest.
• Prosecuted breach of contract claims related to the provision of services in the oil and gas industry and obtained a favorable settlement for client.
• Serving as a member of a four-month jury trial team, successfully represented energy services provider in multidistrict litigation arising from the April 20, 2010, Deepwater Horizon blowout in the Gulf of Mexico. Responsibilities included factual discovery and preparing witnesses for DOJ interviews and trial testimony, and briefing and assisting on the following issues: Spoliation Sanctions, Expert Reports, Findings of Fact & Conclusions of Law, Class Action, and Multidistrict Litigation.
• As lead associate, represented members of a prominent Dallas family in RICO and probate litigation related to the $4.5 billion sale of a large oil company.
• Defended client against fraud and breach of contract claims stemming from an alleged Ponzi scheme.
• Prosecuted breach of contract claims on behalf of a large banking institution, and drafted a motion for summary judgment that secured a favorable settlement.  

Transactional

• Representing multiple clients in drafting and negotiating purchase and sale agreements, mineral deeds, mineral leases, royalty conveyances, releases, indemnification agreements, commercial leases, and executive compensation agreements. 
• Closed multiple oil and gas transactions and acquisitions valued at over $25,000,000. Resolved payment of unpaid royalty disputes involving several oil and gas operators.
• Represented various clients in multiple funding transactions and land/facility acquisitions valued at over $10,000,000.

Bankruptcy

• Represented oil and gas services creditor in Chapter 11 Bankruptcy proceedings against fracking company, and obtained favorable recovery on breach of contract claims.
• Represented mortgage servicing company in validation of post-petition foreclosure; obtained injunction against third party asserting adverse possession claims.
• Recovered pre-petition earmarked Medicaid trust funds on behalf of dental services provider.