Construction Defects and Commercial General liability
Insurance

Owners Liability in Construction Contracts

Duty to Defend Construction Defects

SHAREHOLDER

Mr. Smelley concentrates his practice in commercial litigation with an emphasis on construction law, real estate litigation and oil and gas law. He has tried cases in state and federal courts and before arbitration tribunals, and has also done appellate work in state and federal courts. Hutson holds a masters degree in mathematics from Texas A&M University and graduated from the University of Houston Law Center in 1999. He is admitted to practice law in Texas.

AREAS OF PRACTICE: 
Bankruptcy & Creditors' Rights
Oil and Gas Litigation
Commercial litigation
Construction Litigation
Real Estate Litigation

Phone: 713-650-9700
Fax: 713-650-9701
hsmelley@spain-law.com

EDUCATION: 
University of Houston, J.D., 1999
Texas A&M University, M.S., 1994
University of Houston, B.S., 1993

ADMITTED TO PRACTICE  
State Bar of Texas, 1999 

PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS: 
State Bar of Texas

HONORS AND ACTIVITIES: 
Texas Lawyer "Rising Star" (2005, 2006, 2007)

Representative Trial ExperiencE

• Represented the lessee in dispute related to a leased defective natural gas compressor

• Represented a law firm in a fee dispute that arose with its client over the enforceability of a contingency fee agreement

• Represented the respondent in an ICDR arbitration concerning the interpretation of an international telecommunications agreement

• Represented Canadian owner of a major fertilizer plant in Alaska in ICDR arbitration and litigation in California state court against its supplier of natural gas feedstock

• Represented Egyptian man seeking asylum in the United States on the basis of religious persecution

Representative Litigation Experience

• Represented large retailer in multiple wage and hour class action disputes throughout the country

• Represented various oil and gas companies in disputes related to joint operating agreements

• Represented various insured's in coverage disputes

• Represented numerous clients in litigation concerning defective construction of buildings and public improvements

• Defended numerous clients in bankruptcy preference litigation

• Defended various clients in toxic tort matters

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