Professional in suit writing on a folder with a pen, scales of justice beside.

Home / Practice Areas / Civil Litigation & Business Litigation

Texas Business & Civil Litigation Firm

Results-Driven Litigation: Protecting Your Business, Your Assets, and Your Rights.

Q: What is "Res Judicata" and why does it matter for my case?

Think of Res Judicata as the "One Bite at the Apple" rule. Once a Texas court issues a final judgment on a specific claim, you cannot sue that same person for that same issue again. This is why your initial filing must be perfect. At Guest & Gray, we ensure all possible claims, from breach of contract to equitable reimbursement, are included from the start so you don’t lose your right to full compensation.

Q: What happens if someone files a "frivolous" lawsuit against my business?

Texas has a specific tool called a Rule 91a Motion to Dismiss . If someone files a lawsuit against you that has no basis in law or fact, we can move to have the judge throw it out early. In local courts, being aggressive against "nuisance" suits is the best way to protect your company's reputation and bottom line.

Complex disputes require a local team with a battle-hardened strategy.

Legal disputes can stall your business and threaten your financial security. At Guest & Gray, we provide the aggressive advocacy and sophisticated strategy needed to resolve high-stakes civil matters. Whether you are facing a breach of contract in Forney or a complex partnership dispute in Rockwall, we don’t just “process” your file, we build a roadmap to victory.

Request Case Evaluation Call 972-564-4644

Forney’s #1 Litigation Team

Respected in the Community. Proven in the Courtroom.

We aren’t a “suitcase firm” from Dallas that only visits Kaufman County for a court date; this is our home. We have been voted the Best Law Firm in Forney for three years in a row because we treat our clients like people, not just case numbers. When you hire Guest & Gray, you get the combined brainpower of all of our lawyers, which means that every detail of your case will be looked at from every angle.

AVVO Rating 10.0 – Top Attorney in Personal Injury
AVVO Clients’ Choice – Criminal Defense
AV Preeminent Rating
Super Lawyers Recognition
Super Lawyers

erick ricamore

Great Law Firm! Brandon was Great!

Chasadie Hoffman

I had a 30 minute consultation with a VERY complicated child custody case with Mollie Rush. Unfortunately, I was not able to retain Mrs. Rush due to the jurisdictions of my case. BUT she spent a lot of her own time helping me get recommendations for a lawyer in the county I needed to obtain one in. The way she was with me when I was not even a client made me know that if I ever end up in her area for whatever reason I will ABSOLUTELY call her for any of my legal needs. They just don’t make people like her anymore and I’m so grateful for everything she did for me when she didn’t have to! I wish I could give a million stars for her! Thank you Mollie!

Diego Sierra

Sometimes, life comes at you fast. I had never been in trouble before and felt very scared and lost following my run in with law enforcement. As soon as I got back home, I started looking for lawyers but had no clue what I was doing or who to trust. Upon recommendation from a family friend, I contacted Guest & Gray and within days, we had the process started and had setup a consultation call with Robert. During that call, Robert really showed me how personable, knowledgeable, and experienced he and the rest of his team are. He helped ease my mind over my situation by speaking to me like a normal person and answering any questions I had about the criminal court process and what we could do to ensure the best outcome for the case. We figured out a game plan that same day and I was very convinced that I was in great hands with this law firm. During the 5 months that we had to wait for my court date, both Robert and Elda did an excellent job emailing me back to answer any questions or anxieties I might’ve had regarding my case or how the system in general works. In the weeks leading up to the court date my attorney, Brandon Schwarzentraub, also did a wonderful job helping me feel comfortable, prepared, and confident that everything would turn out well. And it did. Brandon was able to get me a conditional dismissal on my case and half a year of worry and uncertainty is now over. I highly recommend this law firm to anybody that finds themselves in a situation with the law. They will take care of you and guide you through everything. Their payment plan system was also extremely helpful to me, especially in this economy. Thank y’all for doing such a great job and for representing me through this.

Jabri

Brandon was knowledgeable, honest, and worked hard on my case. He was straightforward with me throughout the process, and I’m grateful for his help. I would highly recommend him.

Michael Hutson

The consult was quick, easy and I left very well informed of the options available!

RCT Employee Calendar

Simple, quick and very helpful!!

Jordan Berry

I can not recommend Robert Guest enough! If you are in some kind of pickle Robert Guest is your Attorney, look no further. He is very friendly and will walk with you through whatever it may be you are dealing with. Not to mention, Robert Guest is EXTREMELY good at what he does. Guest and Gray Law Firm is the place you need to be for your legal advice.

Patrick Phillips

Guest and Gray thank u for ur professionalism and time u took out for my case and Elda u do a very awesome job also thanks guys.

Adrian Ferrara

Robert Guest has a remarkable ability to explain complex legal matters in a clear, approachable way. It's obvious that he genuinely cares about helping people and approaches every situation with integrity and a client-first mindset. I highly recommend Robert Guest and Guest and Gray Law Firm to anyone looking for trusted legal representation.

Nichollette Newby

Gail was so amazing and handled the urgency of getting information quickly for me. I am very grateful for her attention to our matter.

A F

Andrew is the best. Highly recommended

Scott Hackler

The criminal attorney in my case was Brandon and I can't pronounce his last name his paralegal is Elda they were the best.They done exactly what I needed them to do.They're very helpful very knowledgeable and they will definitely fight for you. They gave me my life back.

Caleb Venable

Brandon and Elda did an amazing job at helping me stay calm and collected during the process, did very well at explaining the process and reassuring me. They got everything they said they would do done very fast and effectively! Definitely would recommend them to anyone who needs help

Edgar Oliva

Brandon and Elda were of great help. Guided me through a previous case. Would definitely use them again.

Charles Vaughan

The Law Firm has a host of Stellar attorneys and staff, the most outstanding attorney is (Brian), he will do you right and ensure that get the most attention towards your case and hopefully get you the desired results you are looking for. Worth every penny spent.

Max OJeda

Great , honest and fast highly recommend to anyone they help out in everything and the people are really nice

Deidre Johnson

I highly recommend attorney Brandon Schwarzentraub. He's awesome.

Roger Perez

The ladies here answered and cleared up all my questions making my divorce a quick, easy, simple process

James Kadleck

We engaged Guest & Gray for a very complex property rights matter, and the experience was outstanding from start to finish. Our attorney, Brandon, was extremely knowledgeable and always available—no question felt too small or inconvenient. The paralegal and firm administrator, Gail, was exceptional: she made sure every question was answered, handled the intricate scheduling flawlessly, and kept everything moving smoothly. Their billing was very clear and transparent—no surprises. As someone based in California who frequently travels all over the globe, I was especially impressed by how seamlessly they accommodated my needs while I was in Europe for three weeks. Despite the time zone differences and distance, they remained responsive, proactive, and trustworthy. The entire team at Guest & Gray was phenomenal in professionalism, responsiveness, and expertise. We’re already planning to entrust them with our next legal matter and can’t recommend them highly enough.

Eva Erendira Patricia Rodríguez

Muchísimas gracias Abby estoy muy agradecida por tu servicio , sin duda se a quién acudir cuando lo necesito. Muy agradecida

Our Services

Comprehensive Advocacy for Complex Disputes

Emergency Relief & Finality

Tools that help you stop immediate damage to your business or finish a case once and for all.

Temporary Injunctions

Res Judicata

Business & Partnership Disputes

Keeping your money safe when there are disagreements over finances, roles, or professional duties. Includes conflicts between partners, fiduciary litigation, and shareholder conflicts.

Contract & Employment Litigation

Strong representation for breach of contract, wrongful termination, and non-compete agreements.

Real Estate & Construction

Handling important issues like property sales, boundary disputes, and construction problems or delays.

Serious Torts & Wrongful Death

Legal help that is kind when negligence causes death or a serious attack on purpose.

Why Choose Us

The Guest & Gray Advantage: Local Power, Global Standards

Customized Legal Plans

We look at the specific strengths of your case and create a plan that fits your business goals.

Deep Local Roots

We know the judges in Kaufman and Rockwall County and how business works there.

Aggressive Advocacy

We fight for the outcome that protects your future, whether we’re in negotiations or court.

Navigating the Process

What to Expect in a Texas Civil Suit

Case Evaluation: We look at contracts, emails, and other evidence to help you come up with a plan.

Pre-Suit Negotiation: We want to come to a good agreement before the full cost of going to court starts.

Discovery and Filings: We work hard to get the facts we need to win.

Resolution: We fight for what you want in mediation or at trial.

FAQ’s

Frequently Asked Litigation Questions

In Texas, the “Statute of Limitations” is a hard deadline. Under the Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code, you generally have four years for breach of contract and fiduciary duty claims. However, for property damage or fraud, that window can shrink to two years. In Kaufman and Rockwall Counties, judges strictly enforce these timelines. If you wait too long, the court will likely dismiss your case regardless of how much money you’ve lost.

Not necessarily. In fact, most business disputes in the 422nd or 86th District Courts are resolved through Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR). We prioritize strategic mediation, a process where we sit down with a neutral third party to hammer out a settlement. This keeps your business private, avoids the public record, and saves you the massive expense of a multi-day trial.

Think of Res Judicata as the “One Bite at the Apple” rule. Once a Texas court issues a final judgment on a specific claim, you cannot sue that same person for that same issue again. This is why your initial filing must be perfect. At Guest & Gray, we ensure all possible claims, from breach of contract to equitable reimbursement, are included from the start so you don’t lose your right to full compensation.

This is the #1 question we get. In Texas, you generally cannot recover attorney’s fees unless a specific statute (like Chapter 38 for contracts) or the contract itself allows for it. We review your agreements immediately to see if we can “shift the cost” of litigation onto the opposing party, making them pay for your legal team.

Texas has a specific tool called a Rule 91a Motion to Dismiss. If someone files a lawsuit against you that has no basis in law or fact, we can move to have the judge throw it out early. In local courts, being aggressive against “nuisance” suits is the best way to protect your company’s reputation and bottom line.

Resources and Guides

Texas Business & Civil Resources

View All Blog Posts

Protecting Local Business

The Injunction Roadmap

10 November

Texas Homestead Rights: What Happens to the Family Home in Forney When a Spouse Dies?

For many Forney families, the family home is one of their most important assets and sources of wealth. Individuals and couples may wish to pass on their home to children and loved ones after their death. But what will happen to your family’s home after you pass away? In particular, what happens to the home…
10 November

Gun Trusts in Texas: How to Legally Pass Down Firearms and NFA Items

Many Texas residents own firearms and associated equipment worth thousands of dollars. Some people may own firearms or equipment subject to special regulations under state or federal law. As a result, passing on firearms to family members after death can involve significant legal complexity. A Texas gun trust can help you protect your firearms and…
23 October

Does Texas Have an Inheritance Tax? Estate Tax Facts for Forney Families in 2026

During estate planning, families may seek to protect as much of their wealth as possible to pass on to the next generation. However, Forney families planning their estates should understand how estate taxes could affect their loved ones under a proposed plan. Many families may wonder whether Texas has an inheritance or other estate taxes. …

Areas We Serve

Your Local Litigation Team: Communities We Serve

Forney Office

Voted Best Law Firm in Forney—serving local business leaders and families.

Rockwall County

Aggressive litigation near the Rockwall County Courthouse.

White stone soldier statue monument in front of reflective glass building under clear blue sky.

Kaufman County

Helping businesses across the county seat protect their assets.

Surrounding North Texas Communities

Collin County

Forney City

Kaufman City

Dallas County

Mesquite City

Plano City

Hunt County

Rockwall City

Terrell City

Client Stories

Real Results for Texas Businesses