The latest of the Big Law Redefined Podcast, Texas Business Court Watch episode is now live.

Host Craig Duewall, co-chair of the GT Texas Litigation Group, sits down with colleagues Roland Garcia and Cara Kelly — the lead attorneys on the trial team that won the first-ever jury trial in the Texas Business Court.

The case, an ownership dispute over a multibillion-dollar crude oil delivery system and marine terminal project in South Texas, was tried before Judge Adrogué in the 11th Division of the Texas Business Court.

Roland and Cara take listeners behind the scenes of this landmark case, covering the background and jurisdiction of the Texas Business Court, the unique logistical challenges of litigating in a court without a dedicated physical courtroom, and what it means to try a complex commercial case in a forum that prioritizes efficiency, judicial sophistication, and rigorous legal analysis.

From arguing motions in the dark after the courthouse lights shut off at 10 p.m., to pivoting trial locations after a pipe break sealed off their planned courtroom, the team shares compelling stories about navigating uncharted territory.

The episode also offers insights for in-house counsel and litigators considering the Texas Business Court as a forum.

Click here to listen to the full episode.

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Photo of Craig Duewall Craig Duewall

Craig Duewall focuses his complex commercial litigation and arbitration practice on cases involving class actions, trade secrets, private equity, environmental, oil and gas, securities fraud, fiduciary duty, construction, real estate, business and partnership disputes, and insurance coverage. He represents plaintiffs and defendants across…

Craig Duewall focuses his complex commercial litigation and arbitration practice on cases involving class actions, trade secrets, private equity, environmental, oil and gas, securities fraud, fiduciary duty, construction, real estate, business and partnership disputes, and insurance coverage. He represents plaintiffs and defendants across the United States in matters before state and federal district courts, state and federal appellate courts, and arbitration tribunals. He also has experience representing clients in matters involving the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality and the Texas Railroad Commission. Craig works with clients across numerous industry platforms, always seeking to understand the client’s business processes, culture, short and long-term goals, and strategic objectives; thereby allowing the development of litigation strategies that are unique to each individual client and dispute.

Photo of Roland Garcia Roland Garcia

Roland Garcia serves as Co-Chair of the Texas Litigation Practice. Roland has tried lawsuits in state and federal trial courts, and has argued appeals in state and federal appellate courts. He has handled many high profile cases and has been quoted regarding these

Roland Garcia serves as Co-Chair of the Texas Litigation Practice. Roland has tried lawsuits in state and federal trial courts, and has argued appeals in state and federal appellate courts. He has handled many high profile cases and has been quoted regarding these cases by The National Law JournalHouston ChronicleDallas Morning NewsAustin-American StatesmanCorpus Christi Caller TimesTexas Lawyer, Law360 and others. Roland is recognized by The Best Lawyers in America and Texas Super Lawyers Magazine. He has also been listed as receiving a Top 20 Verdicts by Texas Lawyer Magazine.

Active in the legal profession, Roland was the first minority to be elected President of the Houston Bar Association, the fifth largest voluntary bar association in the country, with more than 11,000 members. He also served as President of the Texas Young Lawyers Association, an elected position of the 22,000 member state-wide lawyers organization. Roland was President of the Hispanic Bar Association and President of the Dispute Resolution Center. He was an elected Director of the State Bar of Texas, and was a Trustee of the Texas Bar Foundation. President Barack Obama appointed Roland to the Board of Visitors of the United States Naval Academy, the governing body for the prestigious Annapolis, Maryland institution. Roland was appointed by the Mayor and Houston City Council to be a Commissioner of the Port of Houston Authority. He previously served as Vice Chairman of the Board of Pilot Commissioners of Harris County Ports. He serves as Co-Chair of the Mayor’s Hispanic Advisory Board. He also serves on the boards of the Greater Houston Partnership, Hermann Eye Fund, and Harris County Hospital District Foundation. He is a Fellow of the ABA, Texas and Houston Bar Foundations. Roland served on the Texas Supreme Court’s Judicial Selection Task Force which reported on the method for selecting and retaining judicial officers that would best serve the people of Texas, on the Texas Supreme Court’s Gender Fairness Task Force and on the Texas Supreme Court Rules Advisory Committee.

Roland has received numerous honors, is a community leader, and is active in local, state and national politics, serving on numerous finance and steering committees of office holders and candidates.

Photo of Cara Mittleman Kelly Cara Mittleman Kelly

Cara Kelly, Co-Managing Shareholder of the Austin office, focuses her practice on complex commercial litigation, with an emphasis on real estate litigation. Her practice includes the representation of multi-family and mixed-use developers, commercial landlords and tenants, investors, owners, and related stakeholders in disputes…

Cara Kelly, Co-Managing Shareholder of the Austin office, focuses her practice on complex commercial litigation, with an emphasis on real estate litigation. Her practice includes the representation of multi-family and mixed-use developers, commercial landlords and tenants, investors, owners, and related stakeholders in disputes concerning real estate development, construction, investments, commercial lease and commercial contracting matters, breach of contract issues, tenant restructuring, and related litigation. She has wide-ranging experience advising clients on commercial real estate challenges from contract formation to negotiations in any scenario, with a goal to mitigate risk and circumvent litigation. Cara often represents clients in both the federal and state courts throughout Texas and the United States and has developed particular experience in pursuing and defending TRO applications and related applications for injunctive relief.

Cara is a strong advocate for her clients, developing and applying creative strategies and a value-based approach in each specific matter. Her clients appreciate her ability to handle their legal issues efficiently, and in alignment with their overall business goals.