BRYON A. RICE
Bryon A. Rice is a trial lawyer. He has tried cases to verdict in state and federal court—jury trials and bench trials. He has handled the defense and prosecution of complex civil cases of all sizes, including multi-million-dollar disputes, from factual investigation, discovery, and pretrial motion practice through trial, final judgment, post-judgment motions, and appeal.
He brings to each case an innate attention to detail, born of his training as a private pilot, sound legal judgment, honed during his time as a law clerk to United States District Judge David Hittner, an acute business acumen developed over a ten-year business career, and a persistently strong work ethic, instilled in him while growing up on the family farm. Bryon knows how businesspeople think and how business decisions are made. And he appreciates the myriad issues businesses must consider, particularly when facing existing or prospective litigation.
With disciplined focus, Bryon represents both plaintiffs and defendants in a wide array of litigation and arbitration matters, with a particular focus on complex commercial disputes, business torts and contract actions, and partnership and fiduciary disputes.
Representative Experience
- Secured summary judgment on affirmative counterclaims against Plaintiff for violation of Texas Insurance Code and Texas Deceptive Trade Practices Act in THD Partners, LLC d/b/a THD Construction v. Asset Plus Corp., Cause No. 2017-01190; in the 151st Judicial District of Harris County, Texas (2019).
- Secured summary judgment in favor of Defendant on eleven causes of action alleged against it in Frank Jarosek III and Jamie Delahoussaye v. Sprint Corporation, Cause NO. 16-DCV-229170; in the 458th Judicial District Court of Fort Bend County, Texas (2018).
- Represented partner in international manufacturing company in business partnership dispute through arbitration and successful business divorce.
- Trial counsel for Plaintiff in Second Street Properties v. Freeport Waterfront Properties, LP, Cause No. 2017-07497; in the 189th Judicial District Court of Harris County, Texas (2018).
- Trial counsel for Defendants in Environment Texas Citizens Lobby v. ExxonMobil Corp., et al., Civ. A. No. 4:10-CV-4969; in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas (2014).
Professional Activities and Memberships
- Houston Bar Association
- Federal Bar Association
- Fellow, Texas Bar Foundation
- International Association of Defense Counsel
- Garland Walker Inn of Court
Awards and Recognition
- Recognized as “Super Lawyer” by Thomson Reuters Super Lawyers Texas 2021 and 2022
- Recognized as a “Rising Star” in business litigation by Thomson Reuters Super Lawyers – Texas, 2014–2018
- AV Preeminent Rated by Martindale Hubbell
Community Involvement
- Board of Directors, ChildBuilders, 2012–2021
President, 2017–2021
Education
- J.D., University of Houston Law Center – Editor in Chief, Houston Law Review
- M.B.A., The University of Iowa Tippie School of Management
- B.S., Kansas State University
- A.S., Eastern Oklahoma State College
Admissions to Practice
- State Bar of Texas
- State Bar of New Mexico
- United States District Courts for the Eastern, Northern, Southern and Western Districts of Texas
News Reports, Publications & Speaking Engagements
- Expert Witnesses, Chapter 7 of The Trial Compendium, DRI (2017) (Co-Author) Timing is Everything: Timing Orders for Trials in Federal Court, SIDEBAR at 20 (Summer 2011) (Co-Author)
- The Battle of Enforceability: Class Action Waivers in Mandatory Arbitration Clauses, 27 BANKING & FIN. SERVS. POL’Y REP. 1 (April 2008).
- Enforceable or Not?: Class Action Waivers in Mandatory Arbitration Clauses and the Need for A Judicial Standard, 45 HOUS. L. REV. 215 (2008). Quoted by: In re American Express Merchants Litigation, 554 F.3d 300, 303 (2nd Cir. 2009).
- Presentation, Business Law Update, Texas Association of Defense Counsel, Houston Chapter, October 1, 2015 Presentation, Responsible Third Parties, Advanced Evidence and Discovery CLE Seminar, May 2011