Houston Commercial & Business Resources | Houston Commercial Lawyers

National Commercial & Business Resources

The Securities Exchange Commission

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is a federal agency which enforces the federal securities laws and regulates the securities industry, the nation's stock and options exchanges, and other electronic securities markets in the United States. The SEC may bring civil enforcement actions against individuals or companies alleged to have committed accounting fraud, provided false information, or engaged in insider trading or other violations of the securities law. The SEC also works with criminal law enforcement agencies to prosecute individuals and companies alike for offenses which include a criminal violation. If you feel like you know of any SEC violations you should contact the SEC at:

Securities and Exchange Commission
100 F Street, NE, Washington, DC 20549
202-942-8088
www.sec.gov

The Small Business Administration

The Small Business Administration (SBA) is a United States government agency that provides support to small businesses. The mission of the Small Business Administration is "to maintain and strengthen the nation's economy by enabling the establishment and viability of small businesses and by assisting in the economic recovery of communities after disasters." If you are a small business person the SBA could help your business. Feel free to contact the SBA at:

The Small Business Administration
409 3rd St SW, Washington DC 20416
800-827-5722
www.sba.gov

The Federal Trade Commission

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is an independent agency of the United States government. Its principal mission is the promotion of consumer protection and the elimination and prevention of harmfully anti-competitive business practices, such as a coercive monopoly. The FTC enforces provisions of the Clayton Act, a key antitrust statute, as well as the FTC Act. If you feel like you need to report a FTC violation, you may contact the FTC at:

Federal Trade Commission
600 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20580
(202) 326-2222
www.ftc.gov

The United States Department of Commerce

The United States Department of Commerce is the cabinet department of the United States government concerned with promoting economic growth. The mission of the department is to "promote job creation and improved living standards for all Americans by creating an infrastructure that promotes economic growth, technological competitiveness, and sustainable development." If you would like to contact the United States Department of Commerce, you may do so at:

The United States Department of Commerce
1401 Constitution Ave, Washington, DC 20230
202-482-2000
www.commerce.gov

The New York Stock Exchange

The New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) is the world's largest stock exchange by market capitalization of its listed companies at $13.39 trillion as of Dec 2010. Average daily trading value was approximately $153 billion in 2008. The NYSE provides a means for buyers and sellers to trade shares of stock in companies registered for public trading. You may contact the NYSE at:

The New York Stock Exchange
NYSE Euronext, 11 Wall Street, New York, NY 10005
212-656-3000
www.nyse.com

State of Texas Commercial & Business Resources

The Texas Attorney General:

The Texas Attorney General is the chief legal officer of the State of Texas. The attorney general is charged by the state constitution to defend the laws and constitution of Texas, represent the state in litigation. The Attorney General for the state of Texas protects consumers and the legitimate business community by filing civil lawsuits under the Deceptive Trade Practices Act and other consumer protection statutes.

The following is a list of local Houston area consumer protection agencies. If you have been the victim of an unfair or illegal commercial practice, one of the listed agencies may be able to help you.

Texas Office of the Attorney General- State Office:

Consumer Protection Department
PO Box 12548, Austin, TX 78711-2548
512-463-2100 - Toll free: 1-800-621-0508
www.oag.state.tx.us

Office of the Attorney General- Houston Regional Office:

Consumer Protection Division
808 Travis St., Suite 1520, Houston, TX 77002-1702
713-223-5886
Toll free: 1-800-252-8011 (TX)
Toll free: 1-800-621-0508
www.oag.state.tx.us

Harris County Consumer Fraud Division:

District Attorney's Office
1201 Franklin St., Suite 600,  Houston, TX 77002-1923
713-755-5836
app.dao.hctx.net

State Banking Authorities:

Department of Banking
2601 North Lamar Blvd., Suite 201, Austin,TX 78705
512-475-1300 - Toll free: 1-877-276-5554 (Consumer Hotline)
E-mail: consumer.complaints@banking.state.tx.us
State Insurance Regulators
www.banking.state.tx.us

State Insurance Authorities:

Department of Insurance
Consumer Protection (111-1A), PO Box 149091, Austin,TX 78714-9091
512-463-6515 - Toll free: 1-800-252-3439
E-mail: consumerprotection@tdi.state.tx.us
State Securities Administrators
www.tdi.state.tx.us

State Securities Authorities:

State Securities Board
PO Box 13167, Austin,TX 78711-3167
512-305-8300
State Utility Commissions
www.ssb.state.tx.us

Public Utility Authorities:

Public Utility Commission
1701 N. Congress Ave., PO Box 13326, Austin,TX 78711-3326
512-936-7000
512-936-7120
Toll free: 1-888-782-8477
TTY: 512-936-7136
E-mail: customer@puc.state.tx.us
www.puc.state.tx.us

Houston, Texas Commercial & Business Resources

Houston Area Better Business Bureau Offices:

The Better Business Bureau gathers and reports information on business reliability, alerts the public to frauds against consumers and businesses, provides information on ethical business practices, and acts as mutually trusted intermediary between consumers and businesses to resolve disputes. The goal is to foster a fair and effective marketplace, so that buyers and sellers can trust each other. If you have a commercial dispute, one of the listed Houston Area Better business Bureau offices may be able to help you.

Local Houston Area Better Business Locations
The Better Business Bureau
1333 West Loop South, Suite 1200
Houston, Texas 77027
24-Hour Information: 713-868-9500
Fax: 713-867-4947
general e-mail: bbbinfo@bbbhou.org
houston.bbb.org
The Better Business Bureau of Fort Bend County
Linda Harris, District Service Manager
713-341-6166
lharris@bbbhou.org,
South Texas Regional Office
502 East Expressway 83 Suite C
Weslaco, TX 78596
(956) 968-3678
Fax: 956-968-7638
www.bbb.org/houston/directory/south-texas-accredited-business-directory/3/
The Better Business Bureau of Brazoria County
500 N. Chenango Street, Suite 310
Angleton, TX 77515
www.bbbbrazoria.org

 

Additional Helpful Resources for Houston business and commerce:

 

Listings of Houston Business and Commerce
Houston Area Chambers of Commerce
Greater Houston Partnership
1200 Smith Street
Houston, Texas 77002
(713) 844-3600
www.houston-texas-online.com/htochambers.html
University of Houston
Small Business Development Center
2302 Fannin, Suite 200
Houston, TX 77002
(713) 752-8444
www.sbdc.uh.edu/sbdc/Default.asp
City of Houston
One Stop Business Center
City Hall Annex, 900 Bagby Street,
Houston, Texas 77251
(832) 393-0954
www.houstontx.gov/onestop
Houston Business Journal
1233 West Loop South,
Suite 1300
Houston, TX 77027
(713) 688-8811
www.bizjournals.com/houston/

 

Other Legal Resources

If for some reason the attorneys on this site are unable to meet your particular legal need, please refer to the Houston, TX Commercial Lawyers at HG.org, Houston, TX Commercial Attorneys at Getlegal.com and Harris County Business Lawyers at Justia.com online legal directories.