Business & Commercial Law

Most business disputes are not really about the law. They are about money that stopped moving, a partner who changed the terms, or a contract that meant one thing when it was signed and something else now. The Boudreaux Law Firm litigates commercial disputes in Houston for the companies and individuals on either side of them.

We Try Business Cases. We Do Not Paper Them.

There is a real difference between a lawyer who drafts your agreements and a lawyer who fights over them. Transactional firms are built to close deals. This firm is built to try cases, and that shapes everything about how we handle a commercial matter, starting with the first phone call. We evaluate a dispute the way a jury will eventually see it, because that is where it ends up if the other side will not move.

Olan Boudreaux is Board-Certified by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization in Civil Trial Law, one of two certifications he holds and one that fewer than one percent of Texas attorneys hold in combination. He has spent more than forty years in Texas courtrooms representing both plaintiffs and defendants across the full range of civil litigation. He also served six years on the Board of Legal Specialization itself, including two terms as its chair.

That experience cuts both ways in a business case, and deliberately so. Having defended companies against claims, he knows what a defendant’s counsel is calculating when a demand letter lands. Having brought those claims, he knows how a defense gets built and where it tends to give. Most commercial disputes settle. They settle on better terms when the other side understands that trial is a real option rather than a threat.

Business & Commercial Matters We Handle

Breach of contract claims and defense
Partnership, shareholder, and LLC member disputes
Business divorce and forced buyouts
Breach of fiduciary duty
Fraud, fraudulent inducement, and misrepresentation
Non-compete, non-solicitation, and trade secret litigation
Tortious interference with contract or business relationships
Deceptive Trade Practices Act claims
Construction and contractor disputes
Commercial real estate and lease litigation
Energy and oilfield services contract disputes
Commercial collections and suits on sworn account
Business insurance coverage disputes
Mediation and arbitration of commercial matters

Frequently Asked Questions

Business disputes tend to raise the same questions early on, usually about cost, timing, and whether a case is worth bringing at all. Here is how we generally answer them.

Do you draft contracts and handle business formation, or only lawsuits?

We are a litigation firm. If you need entity formation, operating agreements, or deal work, you want a transactional attorney and we are glad to point you toward one. Where we come in is when an agreement is breached, a partner walks, or someone is threatening to sue you. We are also happy to look at a contract you are already in dispute over and tell you honestly what it does and does not give you.

How long do I have to sue for breach of contract in Texas?

Generally four years from the date of the breach. Other claims that often travel alongside a contract case run on shorter clocks. Some business torts carry a two year limitations period, and certain statutory claims have their own deadlines and notice requirements that have to be met before suit is filed. The date the clock started running is not always obvious, which is a good reason to have someone look at it early rather than assume you have time.

Our contract has an arbitration clause. Does that mean I cannot go to court?

Usually it means the dispute gets decided by an arbitrator rather than a judge and jury, but the clause has to be valid and it has to actually cover the claim you are bringing. Those are both things worth examining rather than accepting. Arbitration is not automatically worse for you. It is often faster and it is private, which matters when the dispute involves information you would rather not have in a public court file. We handle commercial matters in arbitration as well as in court.

The amount in dispute is not huge. Is a lawsuit even worth it?

Sometimes yes and sometimes no, and we will tell you which. Texas law allows a prevailing party to recover reasonable attorney’s fees on many breach of contract claims, which changes the math considerably on a mid-sized case. Where it does not make sense, there are usually other paths worth trying first, including a demand letter that carries actual weight because it comes from a firm that tries cases. We would rather give you a straight answer at the outset than run up fees on a matter that was never going to pay for itself.

Should we try to settle before filing suit?

Almost always worth exploring. Litigation is expensive, slow, and public, and a negotiated resolution keeps all three of those problems smaller. Olan has spent decades on both sides of the table and serves as a mediator himself, so he tends to see the settlement posture of a case clearly and early. What he will not do is negotiate from weakness. The willingness to try the case is what makes the settlement conversation productive.

The Cheapest Point in a Business Dispute Is the Beginning

Companies tend to call a litigator after the relationship has fully broken down, when the emails have gotten ugly and someone has already threatened to sue. By then the record is set. Things were said in writing that will be read back later, deadlines may have passed, and positions have hardened on both sides.

The better time to call is when you can still see the dispute coming. A short conversation before you send the next email is worth more than a long one after the lawsuit is filed. It costs very little, it sometimes ends the problem outright, and when it does not, it means the case starts on ground you chose rather than ground the other side picked for you.

Award-Winning Representation

Olan’s integrity and achievements have been consistently recognized by his peers and the legal community at large. His professional accolades include:

American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA): Elected member of this exclusive organization of distinguished U.S. trial lawyers.
Super Lawyers®: Consistently recognized as a top-rated attorney in Texas.
The Best Lawyers in America©: Multi-year honoree.
“H” Magazine: Named a “Houston Top Lawyer” and a “Lawyer for the People.”
Bar Foundations: Sustaining Life Fellow of both the Texas Bar Foundation and the Houston Bar Foundation.

Dedicated Legal Educator and Author

A highly sought-after expert in his field, Olan frequently lectures at seminars and programs across the state. He is a staple on the Texas Trial Lawyers Association’s lecture roster and regularly speaks at law schools, professional groups, and the State Bar of Texas, often authoring the accompanying educational materials.

Outside the Courtroom

Olan’s greatest pride is his family. He and his wife, Mary Anne, have a wonderfully blended family with four daughters—Lisa, Katie, Melanie, and Denise—and are the proud grandparents of Morgan, Nate, Gillian, Madilynn, Meghan, Aubrey, Charles, Isaac, and Reagan.

Talk to Us Before the Deadline Runs

If you have a judgment you want to challenge, or you are defending one on appeal, the first conversation should happen quickly. Call (713) 400-4030 or use the form below and we will look at where your case stands.

Phone Number

(713) 400-4030

Address

1111 North Loop West, Suite 940 Houston, Texas 77008

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What Our Clients Say About Us

At Boudreaux Law Firm:, we are dedicated to providing reliable legal representation that prioritizes your needs. Our team of experienced attorneys works tirelessly to safeguard your rights.

I had an excellent experience working with Olan. They were highly professional, communicated clearly throughout the entire process, and ultimately secured a fantastic outcome for my case. I always felt like a priority and truly appreciated their dedication. I highly recommend their services!

Edlin