C. Elaine Howard

Houston Litigation Lawyer, Commercial, Real Estate and Employment , C. Elaine Howard

Board Certified in Labor and Employment Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization, C. Elaine Howard is a trial attorney focusing on commercial litigation, real estate and construction disputes, and employment law. Ms. Howard distinguishes herself by partnering with clients to determine litigation goals up front, to re-evaluate those goals as the litigation progresses, and to advise, inform, and counsel clients to obtain those goals.  Ms. Howard frequently becomes involved in disputes at the pre-litigation stage, advising clients on economical workout strategies to resolve the issue, as well as to reduce time and expense.  Ms. Howard has significant first chair trial, as well as appellate, expertise.

Her broad based litigation practice allows her to understand the client’s business and practices in a wide range of industries.  In the real estate and construction context, she has handled construction litigation (including delay, defect, design, lien and collection matters), title claims, landlord/tenant disputes, adverse possession, Fair Housing Act violations, easements, foreclosure on real and personal property, and disputes arising out of the acquisition of real property.  With this background, she has a unique insight into liabilities for owners and developers of properties. In commercial litigation, she has handled numerous cases involving lending practices, disputes over multi-million dollar notes, contract disputes, securities fraud, and insurance regulation including the representation of credit unions and commercial banks in a wide variety of matters. In the employment context, she has handled claims involving race, gender, religion, national origin, ethnicity, age, and disability discrimination and harassment.  She has handled matters involving the FLSA, advising clients on its application, representing them in suits over wages, and in retaliation claims.  She has been involved in numerous cases involving workers’ compensation retaliation, covenants not to compete, defamation, and breach of employment agreements.  Ms. Howard advises her clients in risk avoidance, by reviewing and preparing employment policies, and advising on personnel decisions, such as employee leave, discipline, wages, and termination.  She conducts work place investigations and conducts employee training in anti-discrimination, sensitivity and diversity.