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Kevin Terrazas

Kevin Terrazas has successfully represented clients in a wide range of complex disputes, including jury trials, arbitrations, and appeals from Texas County Courts at Law and Probate Courts to the United States Supreme Court.  Kevin is one of fewer than 50 attorneys in Texas that is Board Certified in both Civil Trial and Civil Appellate Law.  In addition, he is registered to practice before the Patent and Trademark Office.  Kevin focuses his practice on trials and appeals involving contracts, real estate, intellectual property, employment, torts, constitutional law, antitrust, and other commercial matters. 

An honors graduate of both Harvard Law School and West Point, Kevin served in the United States Army during Operation Iraqi Freedom for which he was awarded the Bronze Star Medal.  Kevin also clerked for the Honorable Priscilla R. Owen of the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit and is a graduate of the U.S. Army's Ranger, Airborne, and Air Assault schools.  Prior to founding Terrazas PLLC, Kevin was a co-founding partner of Cleveland Terrazas, PLLC, a partner at Weisbart Springer Hayes LLP, and a partner at Yetter Coleman LLP. 

J.D., Harvard Law School, cum laude

B.S. Chemistry/Life Science, U.S. Military Academy, Distinguished Cadet

Law Clerk, Judge Priscilla Owen, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit

Captain, Field Artillery, United States Army, 1999-2004

Adjunct Professor, Northeastern University, 2013-15

U.S. Army Ranger, Airborne, and Air Assault Schools - Graduate

Registered to practice before the Patent and Trademark Office

​​Representative Cases

  • Successfully tried case to jury verdict, resulting in breach of contract finding from jury in land development case. 

  • Successfully tried arbitration on claims of breach of contract and misappropriation of trade secrets alleging over $5 million for Class II medical device resulting in total defense award.

  • Successfully tried construction defect case resulting in $3.8 million jury verdict, resulting in $2.4 million judgment, recognized as top jury verdict in Texas in 2023 for toxic exposure, contractor negligence.

  • Successfully prosecuted ultra vires claim against Texas Public Utility Commission involving the Texas Universal Service Fund that resulted in highest settlement in Texas (over $9 MM) for type of case (Top Verdict.com 2022).

  • Successfully tried to the bench breach of contract and fraud dispute concerning commercial automotive lease, obtaining approximately $300,000 judgment, including punitive damages.

  • Successfully litigated wrongful termination case resulting in former firefighter being fully reinstated with accrued vacation and sick time.

  • Successfully obtained summary judgment against claim for breach of contract claim involving high-end automotive design contract in California state court.

  • Successfully defended on appeal the setting aside of an over $400,000 judgment in California Court of Appeals.

  • Obtained unanimous jury verdict--a top 50 jury verdict in Texas for 2021--including punitive damages, in tortious interference suit concerning automotive repair and performance company in Williamson County District Court.    

  • Obtained temporary injunction concerning competitive local exchange carrier concerning ultra vires acts of the Public Utility Commission and successfully defended injunction on appeal in Third Court of Appeals.  

  • Successfully tried quantum meruit case to jury verdict involving distribution companies in Bexar County District Court. 

  • Successfully defended on appeal an over $2.5 million judgment concerning negligence by City of Austin in Third Court of Appeals and Texas Supreme Court

  • Successfully obtained order granting nondischargeability of entire bankruptcy case after bench trial.

  • Secured dismissal of patent claims and grant of summary judgment on claims of misappropriation of trade secrets, breach of contract, and tortious interference involving electro-therapeutic treatment technology in Minnesota Federal District Court.    

  • Secured grants of summary judgment on affirmative claim for breach of contract and dismissal of breach of contract and fraud claims concerning real estate development takedown tract contract in Williamson County District Court that resulted in approximately $500,000 judgment in favor of client.  

  • Successfully obtained TRO and temporary injunction for breach of non-competition agreement involving veterinary services. 

  • Successfully obtained favorable judgment after Federal District Court bench trial involving DTPA, fraud, and breach of contract claims for specialized paint boutique. 

  • Successfully reversed final judgment (including award of attorneys fees) in Third Court of Appeals involving a breach of contract over an alleged services agreement.  

  • Successfully obtained Temporary Restraining Order and agreed judgment in suit for breach of non-competition agreement. 

  • Successfully obtained summary judgment for breach of settlement agreement involving partnership dispute in commercial property management business. 

  • Successfully obtained judgment after four-day bench trial involving breach of partnership agreement in automotive industry. 

  • Successfully reversed TCPA ruling that resulted in multiple claims being dismissed by Third Court of Appeals in breach of contract and misappropriation of trade secrets case. 

  • Secured dismissal of multiple defendants in federal court involving trademark and copyright claims. 

  • Successfully obtained Temporary Restraining Order in breach of commercial lease agreement that led to favorable settlement and complete relief for client. 

  • Successfully obtained declaratory judgment and permanent injunction after bench trial against governmental entity based on violations of the Texas Constitution.

  • Secured favorable settlement after 2-day arbitration involving life insurance dispute. 

  • Successfully obtained jury verdict for breach of contract involving development of innovative technologies against engineering firm. 

  • Successfully reversed Anti-SLAPP ruling that resulted in Third Court of Appeals dismissing 7 of 8 claims in tortious interference, conversion, and defamation suit.

  • Successfully tried breach of contract action before Texas State jury related to guaranty agreement that resulted in one of 100 top verdicts in Texas in 2016. 

  • Secured arbitration award in breach of non-compete action on behalf of multi-million dollar flooring company.

  • Successfully defended an Oklahoma utility against patent infringement, resulting in a summary judgment of non-infringement. 

  • Secured reversal of Anti-SLAPP denial involving breach of contract and misappropriation of trade secrets case that resulted in majority of claims being dismissed.

  • Successfully prosecuted a claim under the Texas Securities Act for individual against Austin manufacturer. 

  • Secured order from appellate court that served to moot TRO.

  • Represented international media company in multiple employment related issues including securing Delaware federal injunction related to violations of non-competition agreement.

  • Tried an employer discrimination suit in federal district court, which resulted in significant changes to proposed consent decree.

  • Secured affirmation of denial of TCPA ruling involving defamation claim.

  • Successfully reversed summary judgment in Sixth Court of Appeals involving breach of contract, fraud, and tortious interference claims for automotive dealerships.

  • Secured take nothing judgment on claims of personal injury involving power plant construction company.

  • Successfully represented Texas Attorney General in election dispute, resulting in take-nothing judgment.

  • Successfully defended international corporation in FLSA collective action suit.

  • Defended an international corporation against a non-practicing entity in a patent infringement suit involving smart grid technology, including successfully arguing Markman hearing.

  • Secured dismissal of securities class action concerning merger of technology company.

  • Represented international mining company in Texas Supreme Court concerning evident partiality of arbitrator.

  • Successfully represented association of firefighters in defense of hiring processes against Title VII challenge.

  • Represented a steel service center for pre-trial matters in antitrust dispute that was later tried to a $156 million judgment.

  • Argued contract dispute before the Fifth Circuit that resulted in vacatur and remand of bankruptcy court judgment due to lack of constitutional authority.

  • Successfully represented minority shareholders of Austin-based health foods provider in dispute over ownership.

  • Defended trial court’s order on mandamus before the Federal Circuit in a patent infringement suit over a device installed on an oil and gas rig.

  • Twice successfully argued a voting rights dispute before the Fifth Circuit resulting in vacatur of the district court’s injunctive orders.

  • Successfully represented victim of constitutional rights violations caused by a municipal employee.

  • Represented institutional investors as amicus curiae in United States Supreme Court in support of winning side for securities litigation matter under the PSLRA.

  • Successfully represented executives in Title VII and §1983 discrimination case involving promotion practices of municipal fire department.

  • Successfully represented a large manufacturer of wireless devices in a patent infringement suit concerning Bluetooth technology.

  • Represented individual in wrongful termination suit against non-profit employer that resulted in favorable settlement.

  • Successfully represented medical device patent holders before the Federal Circuit in a dispute over an Inter Partes Reexamination.

  • Represented association of district attorneys as amicus curiae in United States Supreme Court for case involving municipal liability for Brady violations.

Honors

  • Chambers USA 2020 - Band 1;  2021-2024 - Band 2 Litigation: General Commercial - Texas: Austin & Surrounds 

  • Board Certified, Civil Trial Law, Texas Board of Legal Specialization

  • Board Certified, Civil Appellate Law, Texas Board of Legal Specialization

  • Texas Super Lawyer, 2020-2024; Texas Rising Stars, 2013-2017, Thompson Reuters Legal

  • Texas Intellectual Property Attorney of the Year, 2022, International Advisory Experts

  • Leaders in Law 2023, IP Law Expert of the Year in Texas, USA

  • Elizabeth Garcia President's Award, Hispanic Bar Association of Austin

  • Federal & Commercial Litigation Lawyer of the Year (USA) 2022-2024, Acquisition International

  • Austin Under 40, Finalist 2015, 2017 (Legal)

  • Top 40 Under 40 Military Class of 2012, Civilian Job News

  • Fellow, Texas Bar Foundation

  • Member, Texas Bar College

  • Fellow, Austin Bar Foundation

  • Harry S. Truman Scholar

  • Lady Bird Johnson Humanitarian Award, American Red Cross Serving Central and South Texas

Professional Activities & Memberships

  • Past Chair, Board of Directors, American Red Cross Serving Central and South Texas

  • Director, National Philanthropic Board, American Red Cross

  • Past President, Hispanic Bar Association of Austin, 2017; Treasurer, 2013-2016

  • Barrister, Calvert Inn of Court

  • Past Secretary, West Point Society of Central Texas

  • Non-sitting Elder, Southwest Bible Church; Sitting Elder 2018-2023

  • Former Council Member, Austin Bar Appellate Section

Contact

Tel: 512-680-3257

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