Law Blog

Brazil & Dunn settles a lawsuit against Dallas County, Texas and collect attorneys fees in claims over failure to comply with the Voting Rights Act in implementing new voting machines.

Successful representation of an oil and gas operator sued by the United States Government pursuant to the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 for discharging oil into a navigable waterway. Above-ground storage tanks discharged oil into a wetland immediately directly into the Highland Bayou in Galveston. The Government, represented by Assistant U.S. attorneys from Washington, D.C., Department of Justice, sued, claiming Brazil & Dunn’s clients were responsible parties and sought over $600,000 in removal and natural resources damages. After a seven-day trial, the jury found the Defendants did not operate or own the tank battery and were not responsible parties. The case was No. 4:08-cv-01291; The United States Coast Guard vs. Viking Resources, Inc. and Roger W. Chambers; In the United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas, Galveston Division.

Successful representation of a chief financial officer charged and indicted by the IRS for conspiring to defraud the United States for the purpose of obstructing the functions of the IRS in collecting employment taxes, as well as four counts of willfully making and subscribing to false tax forms. A month-long trial involving more than 1,100 exhibits and 50 witnesses, the jury acquitted Brazil & Dunn’s client on all charges. The case was No. 4-07-114; United States of America v. John Fluellen Heard, William Michael Lane, Superior Protection, Inc., Gary Lee Lambert and John Bailey; In the United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas, Houston Division.

Brazil & Dunn has recently concluded litigating through the Austin Court of Appeals and the Texas Supreme Court a wrongful death case against state government and other defendants. The case now is remanded to the district court in Hays County, Texas, where it will be prepared for trial.