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lance cawthon

PHONE:
(512) 322-9396

EMAIL:
LANCE@CAWTHONLAW.COM

 

Lance Cawthon is the principal shareholder of Cawthon Law.  Based in Austin, he has built a winning record spanning 20 years in state and federal courts across Texas, including trials in each corner of the state and substantial appellate experience.  Lance previously practiced law in mid-sized firms after serving five years as an Assistant Attorney General for the State of Texas.  He established Cawthon Law, PLLC to more directly serve the clients affected by his daily work.  

Since beginning his solo practice in 2014, Lance has represented small business owners, professionals, local governmental entities, and individuals in litigation over contract disputes, commercial debt collection and judgment enforcement, employment matters, real estate, construction, consumer protection, and governmental issues.  In the past, Lance frequently represented public hospitals, public schools, law enforcement officers, government officials, and health care professionals.

Lance is a member of the Texas Bar College, an honorary society of lawyers who are among the best trained attorneys in Texas.  Members are qualified attorneys who are interested in both high ethical standards and improved training for all Texas attorneys.  Lawyers must complete double the Continuing Legal Education (CLE) required by the State Bar of Texas to become eligible for membership.  Lance is also a Fellow of the Texas Bar Foundation, another honorary organization whose membership is limited to one-third of one percent of State Bar of Texas members.   

Lance has proudly called himself an Austin resident since 1993 and enjoys the city with his wife, Rachel, and their dog, Mojo.  In particular, he enjoys Austin’s live music scene, natural beauty, and peculiar traditions like the O. Henry Pun-Off and Eeyore’s Birthday Party.  

 
 
 
 

REPRESENTATIVE WORK

 
 
 
 

Summary judgment favoring homeowner client in restrictive covenant dispute with developer over proposed commercial construction on adjacent lakefront property

Obtained full recovery of outstanding debt in collection suit on behalf of nonprofit health care facility

Successful defense of small business owner in defamation suit

First chair trial counsel for home buyer in suit against home builder/seller for failure to disclose construction defects, resulting in award of full economic damages and attorney fees

Summary judgment in defense of school district sued by former employee on allegations of discriminatory and retaliatory termination

Represented employee in retaliatory termination claim against former employer, resulting in sevenfold increase of severance pay

Obtained favorable resolution of lawsuit on behalf of governmental employer against retirement fund financial advisor and affiliated broker-dealer

Secured reversal of trial court ruling and complete dismissal for public hospital district in commercial collection suit brought under Texas Indigent Health Care and Treatment Act

 

Persuaded appellate court to affirm judgment favorable to condominium association client in suit over disputed use of common area

Prevailed in arbitration with award of full damages and attorney fees to nonprofit hospital client in contract dispute with physician

Successful appeal from summary judgment for school district client in federal civil rights lawsuit brought by student’s family relating to alleged injuries sustained during class activity

Won dismissal and subsequent appeal in defense of district judge, public university officials, and Texas Ranger in federal civil rights lawsuit seeking twenty-five million dollars based on alleged malicious prosecution of absconding criminal defendant’s parents

Prevailed on appeal to preserve dismissal of physician clients in health care liability lawsuit arising from amputation of patient limb

Won jury verdict for consumer client in defense against lawsuit over alleged credit card debt

Settled breach of contract lawsuit against public hospital client for less than one-tenth of vendor’s alleged damages

Won dismissal for public hospital client against vendor’s breach of contract lawsuit

 
 
 
 

Professional Licenses

Supreme Court of Texas

United States District Court for the Western District of Texas

United States District Court for the Northern District of Texas

United States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas

United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas

United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit

 

Education

University of Texas School of Law; J.D. 1998

Queen Mary and Westfield College, University of London; Graduate Legal Studies

University of Texas at Arlington; B.A. 1992