West Mermis and its general contractor client recently prevailed in a week-long virtual arbitration. In the end, the arbitrator awarded the general contractor, who happened to be the defendant, a monetary award after the arbitrator applied the prevailing party attorneys’ fee provision. It was a resounding victory for the general contractor and a testament to the West Mermis trial team.
The general contractor builds luxury mid-rise apartments in Texas. Years following the completion of a Houston project, a subcontractor alleged the general contractor had failed to pay outstanding invoices. The general contractor hired Larry West and Francis McWilliams of West Mermis to defend it against those claims. The subcontractor sought a half-million dollars from the general contractor and vigorously prosecuted its claims.
It is not every day a defendant walks away with money in its pocket.
Despite the long odds West Mermis tailored its defense to the subcontract’s strength. First, West Mermis proved the subcontractor materially breached the contract through substantial delays in violation of the contractual “time is of the essence” clause and by hiring an unapproved sub-subcontractor. West Mermis then proved the general contractor incurred significant damages because of the subcontractor’s delays. Finally, West Mermis successfully triggered the contractual attorney fees provision to enable the arbitrator to award the general contractor a net monetary recovery. It is not every day a defendant walks away with money in its pocket.
West Mermis wants to thank its client for having confidence in its legal skills and trial strategy. Had the client not had the guts to follow West Mermis’s pre-arbitration recommendations, victory would not have been possible.
Larry is a founding partner of West Mermis PLLC who is known for his proven courtroom experience in construction and commercial litigation. He has tried cases throughout the State of Texas. For more than thirty years, Larry has successfully represented general contractors, subcontractors, manufacturers, developers, insurance companies, owners and individuals in complex commercial litigation, construction defect litigation, business litigation, insurance defense and worksite accidents.
Francis is a native Houstonian with proven courtroom experience in both civil and criminal courts. Francis routinely represents general contractors, subcontractors, manufacturers, developers, insurance companies, owners and individuals in complex litigation, insurance defense, and worksite accidents. Known for his “straight talk” communication style, Francis is a strategic legal advisor to his clients that prioritizes their business objectives.
