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The term commercial law describes a wide body of laws that govern business transactions. The Uniform Commercial Code (UCC), which has been adopted in part by every state in the United States, is the primary authority that governs commercial transactions. The State of Texas has adopted a modified version of the Uniform Commercial Code. The Texas UCC contains nine chapters that deal with specific areas of contract law:

Houston Commercial Law

However, commercial law includes all aspects of business, including advertising and marketing, collections and bankruptcy, banking, contracts, negotiable instruments, secured transactions, and trade in general. It covers both domestic and foreign trade; it also regulates trade between states.

Houston is arguably one of the largest hotbeds in the country for commercial litigation. As home to so many Fortune 500 companies, serious disputes involving large amounts of money are commonplace. Luckily, Houston is not short on attorneys who specialize in commercial litigation. If you or someone you know is involved in a commercial dispute, contact one of the Houston commercial lawyers on this site.

Houston Real Estate Transactions

Real estate transactions are also governed by commercial law. With the development of private property ownership, real estate has become a major area of business, commonly referred to as commercial real estate. Purchasing real estate requires a significant investment, and each parcel of land has unique characteristics, so the real estate industry has evolved into several distinct fields. Real estate transactions are complicated and problems can arise in a number of different areas, such as:

Commercial and business lawyers help promote fair trade all over the world.

Houston Area Real Estate Issues

Purchase/Sale of Real Estate Appraisals
Brokerages Development
Net leasing Property management
Real estate marketing Real estate investing
Relocation services Corporate Real Estate Transactions


Houston Business Formation

There are many types of business entities that are recognized in Texas. The type of business entity you choose can affect your business' taxation, control, and liability. The following are the main Texas business types:

Texas Business Entities

Sole Proprietorships General Partnerships
Limited Partnerships Limited Liability Partnerships
Limited Liability Limited Partnerships Limited Companies
Limited Liability Companies Corporations
Not-for-Profit Corporations Conglomerate Companies

Different types of businesses suit different needs. Choosing the right type of business entity is crucial for success in the business world. The Houston commercial lawyers listed on this page understand the pros and cons of these different types of business entities and can help you form a business in Houston.

Houston Debt Avoidance Lawyers & Houston Debt Collection Lawyers

Not just in Houston, but nationwide, the economy is changing. In an economic downturn, debt collection may mean the difference between a business in Houston going out of business or getting by until an uptick in the economy. Houston debt collection lawyers know how to utilize all of the legislative tools at their disposal to recover money that is rightfully yours. Sometimes laws are not enough and special "work-outs" are necessary to satisfy debts. It takes a lawyer that knows how to do this. Obviously, at one time, this debtor was not just a debtor, they were your customer and you were happy to have them. An experienced Houston debt collection attorney, in some instances, will be able to collect your money and keep the debtor as a customer if you still want them. Contact a competent Houston collections attorney today and know what legal avenues are available for you and your Houston business.

Sometimes someone, or some company, says you owe them monies that you truthfully either do not owe or have some right of offset to apply. Contacting an experienced Houston debt avoidance attorney is worth it to assess the veracity and validity of your options. Contact a knowledgeable Houston debt payment lawyer today. You will be happy you did.

Houston Employment Lawyers

Employment law is the body of laws, administrative rulings, and precedents which address the legal rights of, and restrictions on, working people and their organizations. Employment law covers many aspects of the relationship between trade unions, employers, and employees.

Employment law is especially important in a city like Houston that has literally thousands of employers. Given how busy a typical day in the life of an employee in Houston can be, this area of the law can be extremely difficult to understand. When you find yourself in the dealing with a confusing employment law issue a qualified Houston employment attorney can prove to be an invaluable asset.

The Fifth and Fourteenth Amendments of the United States Constitution limit the power of the federal and state governments to discriminate. The Fourteenth Amendment prohibits states from violating an individual's rights of due process and equal protection. Equal protection limits the State and Federal governments' power to discriminate in their employment practices by treating employees, former employees, or job applicants unequally because of membership in a group, like a race, religion or sex.

Title VII of the Civil Rights Act is the main federal employment discrimination statute that makes it unlawful for private employers, labor organizations, training programs and employment agencies to discriminate against a person based on race or color, religion, sex, or national origin. Title VII also makes it illegal for an employer to retaliate against an employee who has made a claim of discrimination or is testifying, assisting, or participating in a discrimination case. The Civil Rights Act of 1991 gave persons the right to a jury trial for violations of Title VII and provided more damages. Employment law disputes are complicated and problems can arise in a number of different areas, such as:

Employment Issues

Minimum Wage Working Time Health and Safety
Anti-Discrimination Unfair Dismissal Wrongful Dismissal
At-will Employment Child Labor Collective Bargaining
Individual Employment Rights Contingent Work Industrial Relations
Labor market Flexibility Labor Movement Right-to-Work Law
Unfair Labor Practice Social Security Sweat Shops


Houston Antitrust Lawyers

United States antitrust law prevents companies from becoming monopolies or using unfair business tactics to push their competition out of the market. Antitrust laws are designed to promote healthy business competition by making illegal certain actions that are unethical or hurt businesses and consumers. Government agencies (competition regulators) and individuals use antitrust and consumer protection laws to keep the market open to new and innovative businesses. Antitrust disputes are complicated and can arise in a number of different areas:

Houston Antitrust Matters

Monopolies Collective Refusals to Deal Price Fixing
Restraints of Trade Joint Ventures Group Boycotts
Trademarks Unlawful Market Divisions Trade Secrets
Unlawful Tying Schemes Unlawful Price Discrimination Exclusive Dealings Agreements
Unlawful Relationships Between Businesses and Customers Vertical Arrangements Between Competitors Unlawful Relationships With Competitors

Antitrust laws will not allow agreements in restraint of trade, monopolization and attempted monopolization, anticompetitive mergers and tie-in schemes, and, in some circumstances, price discrimination in the sale of commodities. Anticompetitive agreements among competitors such as price fixing and customer and market allocation agreements are typical types of restraints of trade that are not allowed. Resale price maintenance by manufacturers and unreasonable exclusionary practices are agreements that are not allowed. If you have an antitrust dispute you need a qualified and experienced Houston Commercial lawyer to protect your rights.

Houston Intellectual Property Lawyers

Houston is one of America's great cities for innovation. One need only look at the growth and development of the Johnson Space Center to realize how many great ideas have flowed through Houston over the years. With great ideas come equally great legal disputes. When one of these disputes arises, a competent intellectual property attorney is an absolute necessity.

Under intellectual property law, a person or business gets the exclusive right to own music, art, and written works; discoveries and inventions; and words, phrases, symbols, and designs. People who want to protect their intellectual property so others cannot try to take it for themselves may file for copyright, trademark, patent, industrial design right, or trade secret protection. Intellectual property law is complicated and it covers many areas including:

Intellectual Property Issues

Patent Infringement Trademark Infringement
Copyright Infringement Patent Licensing
Trademark Registration Trademark Licensing
Patent Sales Trademark Dilution

A Houston intellectual property lawyer will help you to protect your intellectual property rights. If you are involved in any dispute about who owns intellectual property, you need an experienced attorney on your side.

Call A Houston Area Business Lawyer Today!

A number of other laws govern banking transactions. For instance, although Chapter 4 of the Texas UCC governs bank deposits, time for dishonor, when a bank can charge their customer's account, and a bank's liability to its customer for wrongful dishonor, the federal statutes and regulations cover requirements for banks and banking in general. Houston is home to many banks including:

Houston Area Banks

1st Choice Bank
2310 Yale
Houston, Texas 77008
Great Western Bank,
10260 Westheimer
Houston, Texas 77242
Queststar Bank,
1900 West Loop South
Houston, Texas 77027
Allegiance Bank Texas
8727 W. Sam Houston Pkw
Houston, Texas 77040
Horizon Capital Bank
1021 Main Street
Houston, Texas 77002
River Oaks Bank
2001 Kirby Drive
Houston, Texas 77019
BancTEXAS Houston
1801 Main Street
Houston, Texas 77001
Industrial Bank
6730 Capitol Avenue
Houston, Texas 77011
Security Bank
4610 South Wayside Drive
Houston, Texas 77233
Central Bank
11201 Clay Road
Houston, Texas 77043
Lone Star Bank
952 Echo Lane, Suite 100
Houston, Texas 77024
Texas American Bank/Galleria
5051 Westheimer Road
Houston, Texas 77027
Fidelity National Bank
9100 Airport Boulevard
Houston, Texas 77061
MBank Greens Parkway,
1200 Greens Parkway
Houston, Texas 77273
The Express Bank
6650 Corporate Drive, Suite E
Houston, Texas 77036
Enterprise Bank
7125 Gulf Freeway
Houston, Texas 77087
North Houston Bank
3945 East Little York Road
Houston, Texas 77093
United National Bank
10101 Harwin Drive
Houston, Texas 77215
Fidelity National Bank
9100 Airport Boulevard
Houston, Texas 77061
Paradigm Bank Texas
2828 F.M. 1960 East
Houston, Texas 77073
Vista Bank Texas
1415 Louisiana, Suite 400
Houston, Texas 77002

Additionally, federal law governs bankruptcy and debt collection. Many of the federal laws related to commercial transactions are codified in Title 15 of the U.S. Code.

Houston commercial lawyers serve Harris County and the surrounding areas.

Serving clients throughout Southeastern Texas, including Aldine, Baytown, Bellaire, Beaumont, Channelview, Cloverleaf, Conroe, Deer Park, Friendswood, Galena Park, Galveston, Hedwig Village, Highlands, Hilshire Village, Humble, Jacinto City, Katy, League City, Magnolia, Mission Bend, Missouri City, Pasadena, Pearland, Porter, Sealy, South Houston, Spring Valley, Stafford, The Meadows, The Woodlands, Waller, West University, and other communities in Fort Bend County, Harris County, and Montgomery County.

The Houston commercial and business attorneys on this page and this site can provide representation for all of your business needs.