Civil & Commercial Litigation
High-stakes trial advocacy in Texas state courts, federal district courts, and complex appellate proceedings.
Elite Representation in Civil & Commercial Litigation
When negotiations collapse and trial becomes inevitable, you need seasoned litigators who command the courtroom. Sterling & Associates represents plaintiffs and defendants in commercial breach of contract, fiduciary fraud, intellectual property disputes, and real estate litigation. We pair aggressive discovery strategies with persuasive courtroom storytelling to obtain favorable verdicts or advantageous pre-trial settlements.
$14,200,000 Jury Verdict
Commercial Partnership Betrayal & Breach
Secured a unanimous federal jury verdict including punitive damages for a real estate syndicator after co-general partners embezzled funds.
Group Benchmark
94.2%
Trial Win Rate through our Austin legal team.
Sub-Disciplines & Areas of Focus
Explore the specialized services provided by our civil & commercial litigation trial and advisory group.
Breach of Contract & Commercial Disputes
Enforcing complex transactional agreements, vendor defaults, and partnership dissolution covenants.
Fiduciary Duty & Shareholder Derivative Claims
Holding corporate officers, trustees, and business partners accountable for fraud and self-dealing.
Trade Secret Theft & Restrictive Covenants
Securing immediate temporary restraining orders (TROs) and permanent injunctions against unlawful IP misappropriation.
Appellate Practice & Supreme Court Appeals
Preserving trial court victories and overturning adverse rulings before the Texas Courts of Appeals and Texas Supreme Court.
Attorneys Leading Our Civil & Commercial Litigation Group
Meet the seasoned partners who personally handle initial evaluations, strategy sessions, and courtroom advocacy for this group.
Managing Partner
James Sterling, Esq.
Nationally acclaimed corporate strategist and trial counsel with over three decades of high-stakes transactional and boardroom advisory experience.
Senior Partner
Victoria Chen
Formidable trial litigator renowned for securing landmark jury verdicts in high-exposure commercial disputes, trade secret theft, and fiduciary litigation.
Trial Partner
Marcus Thompson
Relentless trial champion for injured Texans and surviving families, with over $85 million recovered in trucking, oilfield, and catastrophic casualty trials.
Senior Associate
David Park
Dynamic trial defense counsel specializing in federal white-collar investigations, regulatory enforcement actions, and felony criminal defense.
Frequently Asked Questions: Civil & Commercial Litigation
Objective guidance on key statutes, realistic timelines, and fee considerations.
Can we resolve commercial disputes through mediation or arbitration instead of trial?
Yes. Many commercial contracts mandate binding ADR. Our litigators are certified mediators who frequently achieve multi-million dollar resolutions through private arbitration, preserving public confidentiality.
What should I do immediately upon receiving a civil lawsuit summons?
Contact experienced trial counsel immediately. Texas state rules typically give you until 10:00 AM on the Monday after 20 days to file an answer. Default judgments can be devastating if ignored.
Discuss Your Civil & Commercial Litigation Matter Confidentially
Schedule a free initial case review with our lead practice partner today.