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PARTNER

Overview

An accomplished litigator, Kate Valent works alongside clients to help them successfully resolve their legal issues while furthering their ultimate business objectives. Ms. Valent focuses her practice on commercial litigation, professional liability, and employment litigation matters.  Her clients include a broad range of industries, including commercial real estate, construction, insurance, oil and gas, medical, and transportation. From Fortune 500 companies to entrepreneurs, Ms. Valent’s clients value and rely upon her sound legal guidance, creativity, and skill to forging a solution that meets their business needs as quickly as possible.

Exceptional service is paramount to Ms. Valent’s practice and she provides timely and efficient client communication to keep her clients informed of every step of the process. In every case she manages, Ms. Valent is committed to finding practical, cost- effective solutions designed to avoid further legal disputes and expense. To that end, Ms. Valent seeks negotiated resolutions when possible, but enjoys the process of creating and presenting powerful advocacy at trial or arbitration when a settlement cannot be reached.

When not working on legal solutions for her clients, Kate enjoys spending time with her husband and three children.

Experience

Kate has successfully represented business owners in broad range of matters, including: contract disputes, construction defect, project accidents, wrongful death/personal injury claims, employment and intellectual property litigation.

Obtained summary judgment defending against a in 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 for global geotechnical engineering firm defending against in a multi-school foundation defect case with allegations 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).

Obtained motion for 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).

Represented business owners in breach of contract disputes, mechanics lien claims, and project accidents;

Obtained dismissal of gender and sex discrimination claims asserted against apartment complex management company;

Secured favorable mediated settlement agreement for structural engineering firm in multi-party settlement after home collapsed.

Associations

  • Member, State Bar of Texas
  • Member, Collin County Bar Association
  • Member, Dallas Bar Association
  • Member, National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC)
  • Barrister, Curt Henderson Inn of Courts
  • Saint Mary’s College Alumnae Association of DFW
  • Soccer Coach, U7 Allen Sports Association Boys Soccer

Education

  • J.D., Seton Hall University School of Law, 2009
  • B.A. Psychology, Saint Mary’s College, 2006 (magna cum laude)

Honors

Named in “Texas Super Lawyer” list by Thomson Reuters, 2023

Practice Areas

Litigation

  • Bankruptcy Litigation and Transactions
  • Construction Litigation
  • Employment Litigation
  • Professional Liability
  • Real Estate Litigation

Admissions

  • 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

Publications

  • 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