Jess W. Mason

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Jess is a nationally recognized trial lawyer with extensive experience in complex commercial, insurance, employment and tort litigation and regularly tries cases as lead counsel. He also provides outside general counsel services to a variety of leading business entities and law firms.

In the courtroom, he has handled some of the highest profile lawsuits in Texas. Mr. Mason has appeared on numerous local and national television and radio broadcasts. His strengths involve civil trial, personal injury, general business law, issues involving insurance law, tort law and, employment law.

Education

Jess received his law degree from the University of Houston College of Law, where he participated in Moot Court, Mock Trial and was elected Law Senator to the University of Houston Student Senate. Prior to law school, Jess received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Marketing from Texas A&M University.

Experience

Since being licensed in 1984, Jess has participated in literally thousands of cases in federal and state courts. He has focused his practice on insurance defense, personal injury and commercial litigation. In the course of his practice, Jess has brought and defended many multiple million dollar lawsuits to a favorable resolution. Jess is AV rated by Martindale-Hubbell.

Work History

Jess began his career as an officer in the U.S. Army. He served as a Legal Assistance Officer to the 4th Infantry (1985-1986) and ended his active duty as a Captain on the Third Brigade Staff (1986-1988) under then Colonel (later General) Westly Clark. After leaving the Army, Mr. Mason was a participating associate at Calvin, Dylewski, Gibbs, Maddox, Russell & Verner, P.C. in Houston (1988-1992), next he served as Senior Trial attorney for State Farm Insurance in Houston (1992-1995). Thereafter he practiced law at Johnson & Dylewski, P.C. in Houston (1995-1996) and just prior to OMB, he founded Mason, Coplen & Banks P.C. in Houston (1996 to 2012).

Military Experience

Jess was commissioned a 2nd Lt. in the United States Army upon graduation from Texas A&M University. He served four years active-duty with the 4th Infantry Division, Fort Carson, Colorado. Therafter, he served six years on reserve-duty. During his service he rose from the rank of Second Lieutenant to that of Captain. Mr. Mason's awards include the Army Comodation Medal, Parachutist Badge, and Air Assault Badge (honor graduate).

Elected

City of Hunters Creek City Council, Position #5, June, 1995; Re-elected May, 1997 and May 1999.

Committees

• South Texas College of Law Continuing Legal Education Department Auto Litigation Seminar Planning Committee, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998 (Committee Chairman)
• South Texas College of Law Continuing Legal Education Department Planning Committee, 1999-2010.

Appointments

• Judge, City of Hedwig Village, Texas - 2010 to 2018
• Houston-Galveston Area Council - Delegate 1996-97; 1997-98; 1998-99: 1999-2000
• Village Fire Department Commission 1997 to 2001
• Appointed as attorney ad litem and guardian ad litem in cases pending in Harris County, Texas

Legal Honors and Awards

• Texas Super Lawyer by Thomson Reuters (2021)
• Nominated by the Honorable Grant Dorfman as a Texas Bar Foundation Fellows
• AV rated by Martindale-Hubbell (lawyers.com). This is the highest rating for legal ability and ethical standards
• Million Dollar Advocates Forum (jury verdicts larger than $1 Million)
• Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum (jury verdicts larger than $2 Million)
• Frequent Speaker & Committee Member / Chair - South Texas College of Law. 1994-2004
• Executive Professor, Texas A&M University (Mays Business School) 2004, 2005

Bar Admissions

• Texas Supreme Court
• All Texas Courts
• United States Supreme Court
• United States Court of Appeals, Fifth Circuit
• United States District Court, Southern, Northern, Eastern, and Western Districts of Texas
• United States District Court of Military Appeals
• United States Army Court of Military Review
• Colorado Bar (Judge Advocate)

Representative Case Sample

Richard Wallrath v. Daniel Wallrath, individually and as Trustee of the Michael R. Wallrath Inter Vivos Trust, Pamela Wallrath Dolenz, individually and as Trustee of the Michael R. Wallrath Inter Vivos Trust, Alexander Robertson, of the Michael R. Wallrath Inter Vivos Trust, and Gary Robertson.

Summary: Represented Plaintiff Richard Wallrath, founder of the extremely successful Champion Window company and owner of the large East Texas ranch, Champion Ranch in litigation arising from dispute with family members who assumed control of plaintiff’s financial empire during serious illness. After recover, various family members claimed ownership of more than $60 million worth of plaintiff’s assets. After 10 days of trial, judgment was entered by the court in which all prior transactions which supposedly transferred plaintiff’s assets were set aside and ownership was returned to plaintiff.

Shannon Duffie v. Dallas Main, LP, Main Center, Inc., Peloton Commercial Real Estate, LP, Peloton Commercial, GP, Universal Protection Service, LP, U

Summary: Represented plaintiff who was seriously injured when a cable on an express elevator broke loose in the Bank of America building (Tallest building in Dallas Texas) and the express elevator car came to an emergency stop. Suit was filed against nine (9) defendants and was ultimately settled prior to trial for a confidential sum.

Crystal Cigala, individually and a/n/f of Melanie Cigala and as representative of the Estate of Ramiro Cigala v. Townhaven Construction, LLC, et al.

Summary: Represented the widow, child and the Estate of Ramiro Cigala, who was killed when the building he was working in collapsed. Prior to trial, the case settled for undisclosed amount.

John Way and Darlene Way v. Emerson Electric Co., Electro-Test, Inc. n/k/a Electrical Reliability Services, Inc. and Garland D. Rivon.

Summary: Represented injured Plaintiffs in litigation arising from a severe Automobile accident in which Baytown Texas Police officer John Way was on a call and had his patrol car hit by a Emerson Electric one-ton van. Officer Way suffered multiple injuries including closed head trauma requiring brain surgery. Case settled prior to trial for a confidential sum.

Emanuel Diaz de Leon, Ignacio Garcia, Julysabel Cerda, Silvia Guzman, Jose Anyaya and Jose Garcia v. Flavor & Fragrance Specialties, Inc., et al.

Summary: Represented premier flavoring company against multiple plaintiffs and multiple cross-defendants in litigation arising from alleged exposure to toxic substances during the manufacturing process of coffee. This large and complicated case was before Federal Judge Leonard Davis in the Tyler Division of the Eastern District of Texas and was settled on the eve of trial for a confidential sum.

Gene Montgomery and Rebecca Montgomery vs. Wild Well Control, Inc., Louisiana Gas Development Corporation, Sprint Pipeline Services GP, LLC, Sprint Pipeline Services, L.P., Spring Management Services, LLP f/n/a Spring Management Services, Inc. a/k/a SMS Management, Inc. and Jeff Vondra.

Summary: Represented injured Plaintiffs in litigation arising from a well blow out. Case settled prior to trial for a confidential sum.

James B. Maddux vs. Trinity Petroleum Consultants, Ltd. and TPC Investments, Inc. vs. GMS Energy Services, L.P. and Star Tax Solutions L.L.C.

Summary: Represented Defendants/Counter-Plaintiffs in litigation arising from employment theft of trade secrets. After a three (3) week trial, Defendants/Counter-Plaintiffs were awarded Defendant and Counter-Claimant a jury verdict of $3,500,000.00.

Terri B. Clynes and Patrick J. Clynes v. Texas-Sterling Construction, Inc., a/k/a and n/k/a Texas-Sterling Construction, L.P., Budget Rent-A-Car Systems, Inc., Budge Group, Inc., Thais Shanell Spears a/k/a Shanell Spears and Beatrice Garcia.

Summary: Represented Plaintiffs in litigation arising from an auto/pedestrian accident caused by Budget Rent-A-Car employees drag racing through a construction zone. Case settled prior to trial for a confidential sum.

George Bridges and Marcia Bridges v. A&A Cable Contractors, Inc.,Cableworks, Inc., Time Warner Cable, Utiliquest L.L.C., Reliant Energy-Entex, Christina H. Schavrda, State Farm Lloyds, a/k/a State Farm Lloyds Insurance Company.

Summary: Represented Plaintiffs in litigation against parties responsible for the total destruction of their home. Case settled prior to trial for $552,000.00.

Margaret Heyse and Rudolf Heyse v. Philip Services Corporation, International Catalyst and Rory Lee Lieb.

Summary: Represented Plaintiffs in litigation arising from an 18-wheel/RV collision. Plaintiffs' medical expenses totaled over $100,000.00. Case settled prior to trial for $850,000.00.

Billy W. Brown v. Prudential Insurance Co. of America.

Summary: Trial and appellate counsel (Plaintiff) in insurance coverage litigation for medical claims for payment of an experimental chemotherapy. Successfully obtained a jury verdict after a five (5) week trial which was successfully upheld on appeal up to the United Sates Supreme Court. Award of $1,184,525.50.

Crovens Rd 88 v. Steubner 88, Ltd.

Summary: Trial and appellate counsel (Defense) in complicated real estate fraud and contractual case involving $2,000,000.00 damages claim arising from land purchase. Successfully obtained a jury verdict after a two week trial which was successfully upheld on appeal to the 14^th District Court of Appeals. Decision Reported at 817 SW2d 160.

Vince Ramos v. Scott McKinney, DPM.

Summary: Trial counsel (Plaintiff) in medical malpractice case involving the misplacement of mytek sutures. Case settled prior to trial for confidential sum.

Kathy Carlton v. Lykes Bros. Steamship Co.

Summary: Trial counsel (Plaintiff) in roll-over accident involving drunken employee of defendant. Case settled during trial for $1,250,000.00.

Virginia Davis v. Rodeway Inn.

Summary: Trial counsel (Plaintiff) in slip and fall case involving broken door threshold causing fall and resulting in broken hip. Settled prior to trial for $217,500.00.

Kitty Pierce, et al v. Robert W. Lee and AM Transport.

Summary: Trial counsel (Plaintiff) in 18-wheeler accident which resulted in soft tissue injury to occupants of suburban. Case settled prior to suit for $103,850.00.

Ash Huq vs. Rose Marie Turford, et al.

Summary: Trial counsel (Plaintiff) in highly publicized "Thelma and Louise" case. Lawsuit against Defendants for damages caused by their criminal activities and injuries to Plaintiff. Suit included seeking and obtaining a Temporary Restraining Order and Temporary Injunction in an effort to attach proceeds from contracts for movie and book rights to Defendants' story. Obtained a Judgment of $2,000,000.00.

Juan Rodriguez, Inc. v. Alberto Molina.

Summary: Trial counsel (Defendant/Counter-Claimant) in suit for non-payment of balance on home remodeling contract and defamation of character due to an on T.V. interview with Channel 48. Counter-claim against Juan Rodriguez, Inc. and a third party action against Mr. Rodriguez, individually, alleging alter ego, DTPA violations, negligent misrepresentation, fraud, frivolous suit, and cloud of title. Judge ruled Plaintiff take nothing and found Plaintiff and Mr. Rodriguez, individually, violated the DTPA knowingly and fraudulently. Defendant/Counter- Claimant awarded $76,594.36 actual damages, $153,188.72 punitive damages or $150,000.00 for fraud, and $9,391.94 for attorney's fees.

Estate of Elsie T. Holland v. Henry R. Brunner and Annie Mae Brunner Living Trusts.

Summary: Counsel for heirs of the estate for their claims against trustee of multiple trusts. Case settled prior to litigation for $400,000.00.

Publications/Appearances

Jess Mason has been a much sought after CLE speaker for over a decade. Mr. Mason has written articles and delivered speeches at seminars across Texas on a variety of legal topics. His articles cover the spectrum of civil litigation issues, including trial and litigation skills and tactics. In 2004, Mr. Mason was invited to be part of the executive faculty for the Mays Business School at Texas A&M University. Mr. Mason also served on CLE planning committees as well as chaired various committees for South Texas College of Law.

Community Involvement

Jess Mason was commissioned as an officer in the United States Army upon graduation from Texas A&M University. He served four years active-duty with the 4th Infantry Division, Fort Carson, Colorado. Thereafter, he served six years reserve-duty. During his service he rose from the rank of Second Lieutenant to that of Captain. Mr. Mason's awards include the Army Commendation Medal, Parachutist Badge, and Air Assault Badge (honor graduate).