PARTNER
Overview
Since 2009, T. Chase Garrett’s primary practice areas have been in real estate and business litigation. Focused on protecting your business interests and real estate holdings, Chase is a pragmatic and experienced litigation attorney who represents business owners, real estate investors, brokers, developers, property owners, and high net worth individuals in complex, high-stakes cases. Chase initially focuses on early strategic planning for his clients to help them avoid the courtroom; however, when necessary, Chase has the experience to handle a broad range of complex real estate and business litigation matters including the enforcement and defense of real estate contracts, title and boundary disputes, partnership and shareholder disputes, trade secret misappropriation claims, and employment matters.
As a seasoned advisor in protecting businesses, Chase can also serve as your “outside general counsel,” where he oversees all of the legal aspects and manages risk for your organization. In this role, Chase not only manages and oversees all of your legal disputes, but also provides guidance on legal matters impacting your business’ strategy, operations, and compliance, including employment-related issues, including hiring practices, and workplace disputes. When necessary, Chase coordinates with other counsel to oversee the protection and management of your organization’s intellectual property, as well as to provide legal support for major transactions such as mergers, acquisitions, joint ventures, or other large business deals.
Experience
Chase has successfully tried cases to juries, judges, and arbitrators in numerous counties across Texas. A few of his accomplishments are listed below:
- Three weeks after a $100 million lawsuit against Chase’s client had been filed for defamation, he obtained a complete dismissal of all claims by using the Texas Anti-SLAPP Motion to Dismiss. An award of attorney’s fees and sanctions in favor of Chase’s client was mandatory. Cause No. 429-02109-2018; Collin County, Texas.
- In an employment case, Chase obtained summary judgment on $2 million worth of claims asserted under the Texas Sales Representative Act, the Texas Uniform Trade Secrets Act, the Texas Theft Liability Act, and for numerous other common law causes of action. Cause No. DC-15-13638; Dallas County, Texas.
- When an out-of-state engineering firm asserted that it had a $12 million contract with a Collin County business, when it did not, Chase was part of the trial team that obtained a favorable jury verdict in a declaratory judgment action. The jury also gave an award of $430,000 in attorney’s fees to the client. Cause No. 429-03624-2015; Collin County, Texas.
- In a multi-million dollar real estate fraud matter, Chase helped reach a favorable settlement on behalf of a plaintiff group involving the purchase and construction of real estate for an oil terminal in Corpus Christi. Cause No. 2015-63174; Harris County, Texas.
- When a technology services company had been sued for $2.75 million in alleged deceptive trade damages, Chase successfully obtained summary judgment in favor of his client on all counts. Chase then negotiated a settlement in favor of his client for its unpaid invoices. 366-00888-2015; Collin County, Texas.
- In a case brought under the Texas Deceptive Trade Practices Act by a consumer seeking $180,000 in damages, a Dallas arbitrator awarded a take-nothing award in favor of Chase’s client. Cause No. DC-14-02536; Dallas County, Texas.
- Chase defended and obtained a dismissal and an award of attorney’s fees in favor of his client in a fiduciary duty case. Cause No. 429-01389-2017; Collin County, Texas.
- In a dispute over business ownership by a divorced couple almost ten years after their divorce, Chase sued to recover ownership and millions of dollars in unpaid distributions for his client. The case settled privately prior to trial. Cause No. 380-00865-2017; Collin County, Texas.
- In a real estate litigation matter, the Plaintiff voluntarily dismissed his claims against a real estate agent who had been sued for fraud and deceptive trade practices immediately after Chase filed a Rule 91a Motion to Dismiss. Cause No. DC-16-00599; Dallas County, Texas.
- In a construction litigation matter, Chase obtained a removal of a mechanic’s lien from the property records, and a take-nothing summary judgment in favor of his client. Cause No. 429-03946-2013; Collin County, Texas.
Publications
- Co-Author, “The Intersection of Texas Citizen’s Participation Act and Family Law”, State Bar of Texas Family Law Section Winter Report, December 2018
Education
- Juris Doctor, Texas Tech University School of Law, 2009
- Bachelor of Arts., Marketing, Midwestern State University, 2005
Honors
- Selected in “Texas Rising Star” list, Super Lawyers, Thompson Reuters, 2021
- Selected in “Best of Readers’ Choice 2019” list, Living Magazine, Plano/Frisco Edition
- Selected in “Best Lawyers Under 40” list, D Magazine, 2020, 2021, 2022
Practice Areas
- Construction Litigation
- Corporate & Business
- Contract Drafting & Negotiation
- Corporate Finance
- Corporate Reorganization
- Entity Selection & Business Formation
- Shareholder Disputes
- Non-Competition Covenants
- Employment Litigation
- Real Estate Litigation
- Trade Secret Litigation
- Trademark Litigation
Admissions
- State Bar of Texas
- U.S. District Court, Northern District of Texas
- U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Texas