ADMINISTRATIVE, GOVERNMENT AND PUBLIC ENTITY LAW
Description:
OHM represents a significant number of municipalities, hospital districts, independent school districts and other public entities in a broad range of matters, including constitutional and due process issues, contracting and procurement, employment and employee benefits, legislation, taxation, board governance, disciplinary proceedings, election law and real estate matters.
Practice Area Attorneys:
S. Stephen Hilmy
Shirley A. Selz
APPELLATE LAW
Description:
For a firm its size, OHM is fortunate to have experienced appellate advocates who have successfully prosecuted and defended appeals in the United States Supreme Court, the United States Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals, the Supreme Court of Texas and other Texas appellate courts. Several attorneys in the Firm have served as staff or briefing attorneys for federal and state appellate courts.
Practice Area Attorneys:
Shirley A. Selz
COLLECTION LAW
Description:
OHM represents commercial banks, credit unions and other financial providers in complying with federal and state banking laws and regulations, in preparing commercial and consumer loan documents and agreements, in perfecting and enforcing real estate and personal property security interests, and in employment, real estate and litigation matters. Firm lawyers are experienced in negotiating and documenting loans secured by real estate, personal property, maritime vessels and ESOPs, with or for foreign and domestic banks, commercial finance companies, manufacturers and equipment leasing companies. The Firm also engages in commercial and consumer collection and foreclosure activities through the enforcement of security rights and rights in bankruptcy and other creditors’ rights controversies.
Practice Area Attorneys:
Michael G. Morris
COMMERCIAL BUSINESS LITIGATION
Description:
Business clients are represented in a wide range of commercial litigation, in state and federal court, arising from breach of contract, fraud and general business disputes. The Firm is also engaged by insurers to defend cases involving death, personal injury and property damage arising in connection with premises, products, vehicular and professional liability. Firm attorneys have experience in defending manufacturers and distributors of motor vehicles, electrical appliances and equipment, chemical and industrial products, medical devices, drugs and other industrial and consumer products. Firm attorneys also have extensive experience in the defense of toxic tort claims brought against refineries, waste disposal firms and manufacturers of chemical products. The Firm also has attorneys with training and experience in the mediation of such claims.
Practice Area Attorneys:
Fred D. Dreiling
CONDOMINIUMS
Description:
The firm represents multiple condominium regimes and provides counsel and representation to those creating, managing and operating such regimes, including those with hotel type rental programs, and including related litigation.
Practice Area Attorneys:
Michael G. Morris
CONSTRUCTION LAW
Description:
OHM represents landowners, developers, lenders, landlords and tenants, architects, engineers and contractors in all types and all phases of real estate transactions. Firm attorneys are experienced in the negotiation and documentation of residential, commercial and agricultural real estate matters, including owning and operating, buying, selling, leasing, developing/building and financing office buildings, shopping and strip centers, hotels, condominium conversions (residential and office), planned unit developments, residential subdivisions, farm and ranch properties, golf courses and recreational vehicle parks. As part of this representation, the Firm regularly advises clients with respect to environmental law, liability and compliance issues.
Practice Area Attorneys:
Fred D. Dreiling
CORPORATE AND GENERAL BUSINESS LAW
Description:
OHM advises its clients on the business organizational entity – corporation, professional corporation, limited liability company, partnership, limited partnership, limited liability partnership, joint venture or other form of business associations – most suitable to the client’s business, or prospective business, from a tax, liability and administrative perspective. Business clients are also counseled on applicable governance, administration, record maintenance, compliance and fiduciary responsibilities. The Firm’s lawyers have extensive experience in mergers and acquisitions, business and asset sales and purchases, public and private equity financings (including securities law and regulation) and corporate takeovers and shareholder rights. Firm lawyers negotiate and prepare contracts, purchase and sale agreements, financing documents and other instruments arising in the course of business.
Practice Area Attorneys:
Gerald W. Ostarch
S. Stephen Hilmy
Michael A. McCauley
Michael G. Morris
EDUCATION AND PUBLIC SCHOOL LAW
Description:
OHM represents a significant number of municipalities, hospital districts, independent school districts, state educational agencies and other public entities in a broad range of matters, including constitutional and due process issues, contracting and procurement, employment and employee benefits, legislation, taxation, board governance, disciplinary proceedings, election law and real estate matters.
Practice Area Attorneys:
S. Stephen Hilmy
Shirley A. Selz
EMPLOYEE BENEFITS/ERISA
Description:
OHM advises businesses and individuals on federal, state and local tax law, liability, strategy and regulation. Clients of the Firm include C-corporations, S-corporations, professional corporations, limited liability companies, partnerships, limited partnerships, limited liability partnerships, non-profit organizations and foundations, estates and trusts. Firm attorneys have extensive expertise in income, estate, sales and margin tax, exempt organizations, and retirement plan and employee benefits tax matters. The Firm has particular expertise in all facets of ESOP transactions. The Firm also litigates tax matters in the federal and state courts, including the U. S. Tax Court.
Practice Area Attorneys:
Gerald W. Ostarch
FIDUCIARY REPRESENTATION (TRUSTEES, EXECUTORS, ADMINISTRATORS) ADMINISTRATION AND LITIGATION
Description:
OHM advises individuals, families and fiduciaries (individual and corporate) on a wide variety of estate and trust administration issues. Firm attorneys have significant experience in creating basic to complex wills, trusts and other gift, asset transfer and estate planning devices, and in handling probate proceedings. The Firm also counsels representatives of estates, trusts and investment companies in connection with administrative, tax (including Estate, Gift and Generation Skipping Transfer taxes), litigation (including contested wills, trusts and estates) and investment issues.
Practice Area Attorneys:
Gerald W. Ostarch
Fred D. Dreiling
GENERAL LITIGATION
Description:
Business clients are represented in a wide range of commercial litigation, in state and federal court, arising from breach of contract, fraud and general business disputes. The Firm is also engaged by insurers to defend cases involving death, personal injury and property damage arising in connection with premises, products, vehicular and professional liability. Firm attorneys have experience in defending manufacturers and distributors of motor vehicles, electrical appliances and equipment, chemical and industrial products, medical devices, drugs and other industrial and consumer products. Firm attorneys also have extensive experience in the defense of toxic tort claims brought against refineries, waste disposal firms and manufacturers of chemical products. The Firm also has attorneys with training and experience in the mediation of such claims.
Practice Area Attorneys:
Fred D. Dreiling
Michael G. Morris
HEALTH CARE LAW AND REGULATION
Description:
OHM has one of the largest health care practices in South Texas. Clients include physicians, clinics, medical foundations and allied health care professionals. Representation includes regulatory and compliance issues, employment and employee relations and benefits, pension plans, taxation, general business and corporate matters, certifications and reimbursements under Medicare and Medicaid (including fraud and abuse issues), anti-trust issues and mergers and acquisitions.
Practice Area Attorneys:
Gerald W. Ostarch
S. Stephen Hilmy
INSURANCE DEFENSE
Description:
Business clients are represented in a wide range of commercial litigation, in state and federal court, arising from breach of contract, fraud and general business disputes. The Firm is also engaged by insurers to defend cases involving death, personal injury and property damage arising in connection with premises, products, vehicular and professional liability. Firm attorneys have experience in defending manufacturers and distributors of motor vehicles, electrical appliances and equipment, chemical and industrial products, medical devices, drugs and other industrial and consumer products. Firm attorneys also have extensive experience in the defense of toxic tort claims brought against refineries, waste disposal firms and manufacturers of chemical products. The Firm also has attorneys with training and experience in the mediation of such claims.
Practice Area Attorneys:
Fred D. Dreiling
INSURANCE LAW
Description:
The Firm is developing an expertise in insurance and re-insurance matters, including analysis of claims and coverage issues and litigation. The Firm also has experience in re-insurance and treaty arrangements, and represents state insurance regulators in liquidation of insurance companies and collection of insurance company assets.
Practice Area Attorneys:
Fred D. Dreiling
LABOR AND EMPLOYMENT LAW
Description:
OHM provides guidance to companies on employment contracts and terminations, employee benefits, drug and polygraph testing, ERISA, ESOPS and employment tax issues, EEOC, Title VII, Title IX, unfair labor practices, workers’ compensation, employment discrimination, wage and hour issues, FMLA, ADA, ADEA, OSHA and other labor and management related matters. Clients include municipalities, school boards and districts and other public entities, and private sector employers such as retailers, banks, health care providers, manufacturers, insurance companies, plan administrators and service industry companies.
Practice Area Attorneys:
S. Stephen Hilmy
MERGERS AND ACQUISITIONS
Description:
The Firm’s lawyers have extensive experience in mergers and acquisitions, business and asset sales and purchases, public and private equity financings and corporate takeovers and shareholder rights involving small businesses. Firm lawyers negotiate and prepare contracts, purchase and sale agreements, financing documents and other instruments arising in the course of business.
Practice Area Attorneys:
Gerald W. Ostarch
S. Stephen Hilmy
MUNICIPAL GOVERNMENT LAW
Description:
The firm represents several cities as general counsel. Its representation includes all areas of municipal government including: land use and development regulation, zoning, platting and subdivision control, eminent domain, employer – employee relations, taxation and tax incentives, impact fees, exactions, building regulation, annexation, police, fire, utilities and related litigation.
Practice Area Attorneys:
Michael G. Morris
NATURAL RESOURCES LAW
Description:
OHM has a firmly established natural resources law practice. The Firm represents landowners and oil, gas and mineral producers in the exploration and development of oil, gas and mining properties. As part of this representation, the Firm regularly advises clients with respect to environmental law, liability and compliance issues.
Practice Area Attorneys:
PREMISES LIABILITY
Description:
Business clients are represented in a wide range of commercial litigation, in state and federal court, arising from breach of contract, fraud and general business disputes. The Firm is also engaged by insurers to defend cases involving death, personal injury and property damage arising in connection with premises, products, vehicular and professional liability. Firm attorneys have experience in defending manufacturers and distributors of motor vehicles, electrical appliances and equipment, chemical and industrial products, medical devices, drugs and other industrial and consumer products. Firm attorneys also have extensive experience in the defense of toxic tort claims brought against refineries, waste disposal firms and manufacturers of chemical products. The Firm also has attorneys with training and experience in the mediation of such claims.
Practice Area Attorneys:
Fred D. Dreiling
PRODUCTS LIABILITY
Description:
Business clients are represented in a wide range of commercial litigation, in state and federal court, arising from breach of contract, fraud and general business disputes. The Firm is also engaged by insurers to defend cases involving death, personal injury and property damage arising in connection with premises, products, vehicular and professional liability. Firm attorneys have experience in defending manufacturers and distributors of motor vehicles, electrical appliances and equipment, chemical and industrial products, medical devices, drugs and other industrial and consumer products. Firm attorneys also have extensive experience in the defense of toxic tort claims brought against refineries, waste disposal firms and manufacturers of chemical products. The Firm also has attorneys with training and experience in the mediation of such claims.
Practice Area Attorneys:
PROFESSIONAL LIABILITY/DIRECTOR AND OFFICER LIABILITY
Description:
Business clients are represented in a wide range of commercial litigation, in state and federal court, arising from breach of contract, fraud and general business disputes. The Firm is also engaged by insurers to defend cases involving death, personal injury and property damage arising in connection with premises, products, vehicular and professional liability. Firm attorneys have experience in defending manufacturers and distributors of motor vehicles, electrical appliances and equipment, chemical and industrial products, medical devices, drugs and other industrial and consumer products. Firm attorneys also have extensive experience in the defense of toxic tort claims brought against refineries, waste disposal firms and manufacturers of chemical products. The Firm also has attorneys with training and experience in the mediation of such claims.
Practice Area Attorneys:
Fred D. Dreiling
REAL ESTATE (AGRICULTURAL LAW; CONSTRUCTION LAW; NATURAL RESOURCES LAW; ENVIRONMENTAL LAW)
Description:
OHM represents landowners, developers, lenders, landlords and tenants, architects, engineers and contractors in all types and all phases of real estate transactions. Firm attorneys are experienced in the negotiation and documentation of residential, commercial and agricultural real estate matters, including owning and operating, buying, selling, leasing, developing/building and financing office buildings, shopping and strip centers, hotels, condominium conversions (residential and office), planned unit developments, residential subdivisions, farm and ranch properties, golf courses and recreational vehicle parks. Additionally, the Firm frequently provides counsel to family-owned farms, cattle ranchers, producers and processors and farm cooperatives, gins and grain elevators. OHH also has a firmly established natural resources law practice. The Firm represents landowners and oil, gas and mineral producers in the exploration and development of oil, gas and mining properties. As part of this representation, the Firm regularly advises clients with respect to environmental law, liability and compliance issues.
Practice Area Attorneys:
Michael A. McCauley
REAL ESTATE LITIGATION
Description:
The firm represents property owners in litigation involving real estate title issues.
Practice Area Attorneys:
Michael G. Morris
Fred D. Dreiling
TAXATION AND TAX LITIGATION
Description:
OHM advises businesses and individuals on federal, state and local tax law, liability, strategy and regulation. Clients of the Firm include C-corporations, S-corporations, professional corporations, limited liability companies, partnerships, disregarded entities, limited partnerships, limited liability partnerships, non-profit organizations and foundations, estates and trusts. Firm attorneys have extensive expertise in income, estate, sales and margin tax, exempt organizations, retirement plan matters (including ESOPs), and employee benefits tax matters. The Firm also litigates tax matters in the federal and state courts, including the U. S. Tax Court.
Practice Area Attorneys:
Gerald W. Ostarch
TOXIC TORT LITIGATION
Description:
Business clients are represented in a wide range of commercial litigation, in state and federal court, arising from breach of contract, fraud and general business disputes. The Firm is also engaged by insurers to defend cases involving death, personal injury and property damage arising in connection with premises, products, vehicular and professional liability. Firm attorneys have experience in defending manufacturers and distributors of motor vehicles, electrical appliances and equipment, chemical and industrial products, medical devices, drugs and other industrial and consumer products. Firm attorneys also have extensive experience in the defense of toxic tort claims brought against refineries, waste disposal firms and manufacturers of chemical products. The Firm also has attorneys with training and experience in the mediation of such claims.
Practice Area Attorneys:
Fred D. Dreiling
VEHICULAR LIABILITY
Description:
Business clients are represented in a wide range of commercial litigation, in state and federal court, arising from breach of contract, fraud and general business disputes. The Firm is also engaged by insurers to defend cases involving death, personal injury and property damage arising in connection with premises, products, vehicular and professional liability. Firm attorneys have experience in defending manufacturers and distributors of motor vehicles, electrical appliances and equipment, chemical and industrial products, medical devices, drugs and other industrial and consumer products. Firm attorneys also have extensive experience in the defense of toxic tort claims brought against refineries, waste disposal firms and manufacturers of chemical products. The Firm also has attorneys with training and experience in the mediation of such claims.
Practice Area Attorneys:
Fred D. Dreiling
WILLS, TRUSTS, PROBATE AND ESTATES
Description:
OHM advises individuals, families and fiduciaries (individual and corporate) on a wide variety of estate and trust administration issues. Firm attorneys have significant experience in creating basic to complex wills, trusts and other gift, asset transfer and estate planning devices, and in handling probate proceedings. The Firm also counsels representatives of estates, trusts and investment companies in connection with administrative, tax (including Estate, Gift and Generation Skipping Transfer taxes), litigation (including contested wills, trusts and estates) and investment issues.
Practice Area Attorneys:
Gerald W. Ostarch
Michael A. McCauley
Michael G. Morris