William G. Hagans
Associate
Deborah Prettyman
713.223.2300 x2532
William G. Hagans maintains a general civil litigation practice. He advises and assists business clients in commercial litigation, including financial services litigation, business torts, and contract litigation. His practice focuses on commercial and consumer litigation, which involves representing both plaintiffs and defendants in breach of contract claims, lender liability claims, tortuous interference with business relations, and insurance coverage disputes.
As his practice has developed, he has represented insurers in coverage disputes, bad faith litigation, and claims under the Texas Insurance Code and Texas Deceptive Trade Practices Consumer Protection Act (DTPA). He has represented banks in lender and contract disputes. He has also represented both individuals and estates in probate disputes. He has experience in state and federal courts, as well as probate and bankruptcy courts.
Representative Matters
State Court
Represented defendant, Farmers New World Life Insurance Co., in a suit where plaintiff was seeking benefits—as well as extra-contractual damages, in total over $1.5 million—from a policy that our client maintained was never issued. After a full trial on the merits, the jury returned with a total defense verdict for the client, answering that no contract ever existed.
Represented plaintiff, CoWorx Staffing Services, LLC—a New Jersey temporary staffing company—seeking to enforce Confidentiality and Non-Competition Agreements against two former employees and their new employer. The case ended with a confidential settlement two days before trial.
Represented defendant, Abrahams Oriental Rugs, in a suit seeking damages in excess of $75,000 for advertising allegedly done by Broadway Media. No-evidence summary judgment, dismissing all claims against our client, was entered within three months of the case being filed and was upheld after additional discovery was allowed.
Federal Court
Represented plaintiff, Main Street Bank, seeking damages for breach of contract. Summary judgment was entered in favor of Main Street Bank for all alleged damages. The Court also awarded Main Street Bank all attorneys' fees requested. After briefing was completed in the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals, a confidential settlement was reached.
Probate Court
Represented two estates in Probate Court seeking declaratory judgment, and damages, under two assets owned by the deceased, prior to death. The case ended with a confidential settlement at mediation.
Bankruptcy Court
Represented an individual suing a debtor for, among other things, breach of contract. The case settled the morning of trial for $50,000 to be paid from the bankruptcy estate as well as releases of liens on our client's property and release of more than $20,000 from the registry of another Court to our client.
Publications and Speeches
"Who Does the First Amendment Protect?: Why the Plaintiff Should Bear the Burden of Proof in Any Defamation Action," The Review of Litigation, 26 Rev. Litig. 613, 2007.
"The Review at 25: Looking to a Bright Future," The Review of Litigation, 25 Rev. Litig. vii, 2006.
Education
J.D., The University of Texas School of Law, 2006
B.A., cum laude, University of Northern Iowa, 2002
Bar Admissions
Texas
Court Admissions
U.S. Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit
U.S. District Court for the Northern, Southern, Eastern and Western Districts of Texas
Affiliations
Houston World Affairs Council
Noteworthy
The Review of Litigation, Managing Editor, 2005-2006