Kate Valent

PARTNER

Overview

Kate Valent is a construction lawyer who works with clients at every stage of a project – from contract negotiation and drafting through closeout and, when it comes to that, the courtroom. A partner in the firm’s Frisco office, Kate handles both commercial and residential construction matters, including construction and defect litigation, contract disputes, mechanic’s lien claims, insurance recovery, collections, and AIA contract review and negotiation. Her clients include property owners, developers, general contractors, subcontractors, and design professionals across Texas.

Kate’s practice covers both sides of the construction timeline. On the front end, she reviews and negotiates construction contracts and counsels clients on managing project risk before problems take root. When disputes do arise, clients rely on her as a seasoned litigator who has been named to the Texas Super Lawyers list for Construction Litigation every year since 2022. Kate is committed to practical, cost-effective solutions that serve her clients’ larger business objectives – she pursues negotiated resolutions when they make sense and presents powerful advocacy at trial or arbitration when they don’t. Throughout every matter, she keeps clients informed at each step with timely, straightforward communication.

Kate is also a committed advocate for women in the legal professional, and was appointed to the leadership of the Mackrell International Women’s Group, where she works to build connections among women attorneys across a global network of law firms.

When not working on legal solutions for her clients, Kate can be found with her husband at hockey rinks cheering on their three children who play travel hockey.

Kate has successfully represented clients in a broad range of construction and commercial matters, including contract disputes, construction defect claims, mechanic’s liens, project accidents, professional liability, wrongful death/personal injury claims, and employment and intellectual property litigation.

  • Won arbitration award as first chair attorney for playground subcontractor in a dispute with a general contractor for non-payment and breach of contract.
  • Obtained summary judgment for global geotechnical engineering firm defending a multi-school foundation defect case with allegations of over $8 million in actual damages. Grand Prairie ISD v. Don Penn, et al., DC-16-09515 (101st District Court, Dallas County, Texas, October 11, 2017).
  • Obtained dismissal of negligence, construction defect, and professional liability claims asserted against design professional. Allison Robinson v. Watters Village II, LLC, Patrick Ahearne, Helmberger & Associates, Cause No. 380-05033-2016 (380th District Court, Collin County, Texas, January 2018).
  • Secured favorable mediated settlement agreement for structural engineering firm in multi-party settlement after home collapsed.
  • Represented business owners in breach of contract disputes, mechanic’s lien claims, and project accidents.
  • Obtained summary judgment defending against a multi-million dollar wrongful death claim against Carfax. Sidah Garner v. National Mutual Insurance Company, et al., Cause No. DC-12-09119 (193rd District Court, Dallas County, January 28, 2014).
  •  Obtained summary judgment dismissing medical malpractice and negligence claims asserted against nursing home. Pena, Martha on behalf of Celia Ontiveros v. Nexion Health at Waxahachie d/b/a Renfro Healthcare Center, Cause No. 92874 (40th District Court, Ellis County, Texas, October 2018).
  • Obtained dismissal of gender and sex discrimination claims asserted against apartment complex management company.
  • Leadership, Mackrell International Women’s Group
  • Member, State Bar of Texas
  • Member, Collin County Bar Association
  • Member, Dallas Bar Association
  • Barrister, Curt Henderson Inn of Courts
  • J.D., Seton Hall University School of Law, 2009
  • B.A. Psychology, Saint Mary’s College, 2006 (magna cum laude)
  • Named to “Texas Super Lawyers” list by Thomson Reuters for Construction Litigation, 2022–2026

Litigation

  • Construction Litigation
  • Construction Contracts & Transactions
  • Real Estate Litigation
  • Business Litigation
  • Professional Liability
  • Bankruptcy Litigation and Transactions
  • State Bar of Texas
  • U.S. District Courts for Northern District of Texas
  • U.S. District Courts for Southern District of Texas
  • U.S. District Courts for Eastern District of Texas
  • U.S. District Courts for Western District of Texas
  • U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Northern  District of Texas
  • U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of Texas
  • Show Me The Money: Prejudgment Remedies in Texas, Dallas Bar Association Headnotes, 2019
  • Procedure and Strategy Considerations for Rule 167 Offer of Settlement, Dallas Bar Association Headnotes, 2018
  • Builder’s Risk Insurance: Utilizing Builder’s Risk Policies to Help Settle Construction Defect Cases, June 2016
  • Arbitration: Do You Really Want It?, HR Southwest Conference, November 2015
  • No Good Deed Goes Unpunished: Document Preservation Notice May Violate SOX, HCCA – Compliance
    Today, June 2015
  •  Pregnant Pause: U.S. Supreme Court Reinstates Pregnancy Discrimination Suit Against UPS, March 2015
  • Leadership, Mackrell International Women’s Group
  • Board Member, Golden Corridor Republican Women’s Club
  • Prior Board Member, Treasured Vessels Foundation
  • Prior Board Member, Foundation for Allen Public Schools