Practice Areas

Commercial Litigation

Practice Emphasis

Mr. Little counsels individuals and business organizations from across the United States and foreign states in state and federal courts in Texas, with an emphasis on cases involving securities fraud in the oil and gas industry, representing individual investors against over 35 oil and gas promoters in 6 different Texas jurisdictions.

Mr. Little has represented clients in disputes across a wide array of other industries, including real estate, construction, retail, manufacturing, and technology.

Representative Matters

Obtained recovery through settlement, trial, or arbitration of millions of investment dollars on behalf of individuals defrauded in sales of unregistered oil and gas working interests.

First-chair jury trial victory on behalf of retired teacher defrauded in time-share investment.

First-chair jury trial victory on behalf of retired pilot defrauded in oil and gas Ponzi scheme, obtaining exemplary damages.

First-chair bench trial victory on behalf of church against financial manager who embezzled over $2,000,000, obtaining exemplary damages.

Numerous first-chair bench trials in ad valorem property tax cases.

Successfully defended $12MM claim for breach of oil and gas farmout agreement, resulting in agreed dismissal and settlement for $0.

Successfully vacated temporary injunction against employee for violation of non-competition agreement. McDonnell v. A-1 Ornamental, Inc., 2008 WL 3906410
(Tex.App.-Dallas, 2008).

Acquired temporary restraining orders and temporary injunctions on behalf of companies against former employees in theft of proprietary data and trade secrets.

Obtained reinstatement of partnership interests for partners oppressed in corporate freeze-out.

Collected debts for unpaid construction subcontractors and manufacturers.

Briefed Courts of Appeals and Texas Supreme Court on issues involving taxation of real property, governmental immunity, and teacher protections.

Successful representation of oil and gas companies sued for securities fraud and breaches of fiduciary duty and provided counsel with respect to SEC and state-level enforcement inquiries.

Affiliations

• The Harvard Club of Dallas

Professional Involvement

• Member, State Bar of Texas

• Member, Dallas Bar Association

• Member, Dallas Association of Young Lawyers

• Fellow, Texas Bar Foundation

• Member, Collin County Bench/Bar Foundation

Honors and Awards

• While at Harvard University, he received the 2000 William Paine LaCroix Trophy given for loyalty and team spirit.

Speeches

"Locking the Door on Mortgage Fraud" -- 2007 Mortgage Lending Institute

Education and Professional Background

• Admitted in Texas

• United States District Court for the Northern District of Texas

• J.D., University of Texas School of Law, 2003

• B.A., (cum laude) in Government, Harvard University, 2001

• Citation for Proficiency in Spanish

• Admitted to practice before the United States District Courts for the Northern, Eastern, and Southern Districts of Texas.