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Ryan Cantrell maintains a general litigation practice with an emphasis on construction litigation and arbitration, governmental defense, complex commercial litigation, and labor and employment litigation. In his commercial litigation practice, Mr. Cantrell has participated in a wide variety of cases including trademark infringement, civil fraud, contract, and construction litigation. He has participated in several multimillion dollar construction arbitrations which have resulted in substantial, multimillion dollar victories for his clients. In his governmental defense practice, Mr. Cantrell represents state and local governmental entities, such as municipalities, counties, school districts, and police and fire departments in lawsuits ranging from employment discrimination to constitutional claims.   

Significant Cases

• Second-chaired a 35-day construction industry arbitration under the International Center for Dispute Resolution in which the arbitrator awarded over 3.2M to our client out of 3.5M sought, denied an 11M counterclaim, and awarded attorneys’ fees. Cross-examined expert witnesses, project managers, corporate representatives, and third-party witnesses. Presented expert witnesses, corporate representatives, and third-party witnesses. Drafted every dispositive and non-dispositive motion, pleading, brief, and responsive document. Argued numerous dispositive and non-dispositive motions and evidentiary issues.
• Participated in a successful commercial pipeline arbitration under the American Arbitration Association in which the arbitrator awarded virtually 100% recovery to our client (awarding approx. 3.2M out of 3.3M sought) and denied respondent’s counterclaims.
• Prevailed on numerous dispositive motions in state and federal court in Texas, California, Missouri, and Pennsylvania.
• Argued numerous dispositive and non-dispositive motions in state and federal court.
• Drafted multiple petitions, motions, and responsive pleadings to Texas appellate courts, the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals, and the United States Supreme Court.
 

News & Publications

• Individual Governmental Immunities in Federal Court: The Supreme Court Strengthens an Already Potent Defense, The Advocate, vol. 47 (Summer 2009) (co-author with William S. Helfand)

• Finding Nemo . . . and Eating Him: The Failure of the United Nations to Force Internalization of Negative Social Costs Resulting from Over-fishing, 5 Wash. U. Global Stud. L. Rev. 381 (2006)
• Individual Immunity Claims in Federal and State Court, in State Bar of Texas, Suing and Defending Governmental Entities, ch. 3 (2005) (co-author with William S. Helfand) 

Seminars & Presentations

• Recent Cases: Texas Tort Claims Act, Houston Bar Association, Labor and Employment Law Section Luncheon (May 2007)

Professional Affiliations

• Texas State Bar Association