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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

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

7 October

Facing a Criminal Charge in Kaufman County vs. Dallas County

Welcome to Kaufman County, located directly east of Dallas County. Although we share a border with Dallas County, our criminal justice systems could not be more different. Defense lawyers often say that crossing the county line into Kaufman is like stepping back in time 50 years. Any leniency that has developed in Dallas—for instance, regarding…
28 September

Drug Arrests on Highway 80 and I-20: Understanding Possession vs. Intent to Deliver in Kaufman County

I’ve handled drug possession cases in Kaufman County for years—first as a prosecutor, where I learned how regional drug routes work. Contraband moves east out of Dallas toward Atlanta or Shreveport, while cash and weapons flow west back to Mexico. Having handled hundreds of these cases, I can tell you one thing: Kaufman County is…
22 September

How to Properly Fund a Trust in Forney (And Why Unfunded Trusts Fail)

You may create a trust to protect assets and pass them to family members after your death without the time and expense of probate. However, establishing a trust requires you to “fund” it. Failing to fund a trust could cause it to “fail,” potentially upsetting the objectives of an estate plan. As a result, you…

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

Schedule a Consultaiton

Protect Your Business and Your Future

Don’t leave your reputation or your assets to chance. Contact the team that Forney’s business leaders trust to resolve complex disputes.

Schedule My Free Consultation Call (972) 564-4644