Courtney Palm is a Partner in the Litigation section at Hoover Slovacek. Mrs. Palm focuses her practice in business disputes, deceptive trade practices, fraud, real estate, deed restrictions, employment, civil service termination rights, premises liability, and personal injury defense. Mrs. Palm has first chaired and second chaired numerous trials. She has successfully prosecuted cases and defended her clients in courtrooms and arbitrations throughout Texas. Her litigation practice includes matters in real estate, investments, landlord tenant, business, civil service, restaurant, construction, corporate, insurance, and restoration.
Mrs. Palm has represented international clients, REIT, banks, national companies, local businesses, and individuals as both plaintiffs and defendants. She offers her clients a dedication to their cases and a work ethic that leads to success. Mrs. Palm’s experience in all aspects of the litigation process allow her to position the case for the best possible outcome for the clients.
Mrs. Palm was selected by her peers for the Texas Super Lawyers list of Rising Stars five different times, a designation given to lawyers under 40 who are viewed by their colleagues as preeminent in their respective practice areas. She was also named as a Super Lawyer in Texas Monthly magazine, eight years in a row. Mrs. Palm was also selected as one of Houston’s Top Lawyers, from 2008 -2015, published by H Texas magazine.
REPRESENTATIVE EXPERIENCE
- First chair in a complex breach of fiduciary duty seven-day jury trial obtaining a unanimous verdict awarding $265,000 in actual damages, $536,000 in exemplary damages, $796,000 in attorney fees and a final judgment against four Defendants, awarding our client the above damages plus rights, title and interest to a $1.2M property, as well as, appellate fees, court costs, and interest.
- First chair in a seven-day jury trial defending a multi-million-dollar shareholder and breach of fiduciary duty business dispute obtaining a successful result for the client.
- Second chair in a four-day jury trial on a restrictive covenant dispute resulting in a favorable jury verdict for the client.
- Obtained a substantial six figure settlement for a real estate developer related to a purchase of a multi-million-dollar property.
- Obtained a successful settlement in a fraud and deceptive trade practices claim against the sellers and seller’s agent for misrepresenting flooding on the property.
- Successfully prosecuted and overturned an improper indefinite suspension of a 15-year firefighter against the City of Houston and Fire Fighters Civil Service Commission, obtaining a Final Judgment for full reinstatement to former position, all benefits and back pay lost, interest, court costs, and attorney’s fees.
- Successfully defended and settled numerous claims under the FLSA, discrimination, wage disputes, NLRB, unemployment, and administrative proceedings.
- Provide counseling to businesses and employers on firing, policies, leave, EEOC /TWC investigations, I-9 requirements, and investigations, non-competes and non-disclosure agreements, drug screening, handbooks, and a variety of other employment issues.
- Successfully argued and defeated a summary judgment on indemnity claims on behalf of numerous defense counsel in large construction arbitration case that would have added hundreds of thousands of dollars in indemnity costs to the defendants.
- Obtained a summary judgment for national retail client on claims of false imprisonment and assault.
- Obtained a directed verdict at trial on a $5M breach of guarantee.
- Obtained a permanent injunction for a well-known local restaurant regarding a non-compete and trademark infringement case.
- Obtained a dismissal for a general contractor on an electrocution case.
- Successfully prosecuted a fraud and breach of contract claim for a global disaster resolution company.
- Successfully defended contractors and subcontractors in multi-party cases.
- Obtained a permanent injunction for a local-area restoration company in an antitrust and noncompete case.
- Obtained summary judgment on premises liability claim for national retail store.
- Obtained several summary judgments on DTPA, breach of contract, and breach of warranty cases for national restoration company.
HONORS
- President of Houston Young Lawyers Association (2010-2011)
- Outstanding Committee Chair for HYLA (2006)
- South Texas Law Review, Note and Comment Editor (2002-2003)
- Recipient of Clair E. Getty, Jr. Distinguished Service Award (2002)
- Recipient of Dean Kimberly Cauthorn Writing Award (2002)
PROFESSIONAL/CIVIC AFFILIATIONS
- Member, Houston Bar Association
- Fellow, Houston Young Lawyers Foundation
- Fellow, Texas Bar Foundation
- Pilgrim Lutheran Church, Board of Directors (2008-2012; 2023-2024); School Board Director (2013-2015).
- Phi Delta Phi
