James H. Bilton

James Bilton has substantial and broad experience representing financial institutions, insurers, manufacturers, contractors and other domestic and international clients, before both federal and state courts as well as in arbitral forums, in complex commercial disputes, class actions, securities-related matters and construction-related disputes. James also has extensive experience representing insurers and annuity issuers in proceedings relating to structured settlement protection laws.

James is a determined and practical advocate and counselor, who works closely with his clients to find the most efficient resolution of their disputes without losing sight of his clients' business objectives.

James' representative experience includes:

Financial Institutions

• Participated in securing writ of certiorari from U.S. Supreme Court regarding question of exclusivity of federal jurisdiction on behalf of financial services client
• Participated in obtaining dismissal on jurisdictional grounds in numerous matters pending in multiple state and federal courts for international financial institution facing wrongful death and other related tort claims based on alleged successor liability
• Obtained summary judgment and dismissal of claims brought in federal court against clearing bank and card transaction processing client
• Secured resolution and settlement of multiple commercial disputes on behalf of card transaction processing client
• Participated in defending broker-dealer in FINRA arbitration proceedings against suitability, churning, failure to supervise and related allegations

Insurance

• Handled hundreds of appearances as counsel for national insurance company and annuity issuer with respect to proceedings filed pursuant to the Texas Structured Settlement Protection Act
• Provided counsel and representation to national insurance company and annuity issuer regarding various and numerous disputes with settlement payment purchasers
• Participated in obtaining settlement for insurer and financial services company in significant putative nationwide class action seeking $190 million in damages based on sales practices-related allegations regarding specific life insurance products
• Acted as local counsel for insurer in multimillion-dollar commercial coverage dispute pending in federal court

Manufacturing

• Obtained take-nothing ruling from arbiter in $25 million stock purchase dispute while defending international medical product manufacturer
• Participated in securing settlement for consumer decking product manufacturer in nationwide class action regarding warranty- and marketing-related claims
• Represented and secured early dismissal for paint and coating manufacturer client in litigation regarding breach of contract, warranty- and marketing-related claims
• Represented and secured pre-suit settlement and collection of outstanding debt on behalf of international manufacturer in purchase order dispute

Real Estate & Construction

• Represented international contractor in multiple complex commercial construction disputes touching venues across the country and related to projects of civic significance
• Represented and counseled regional tollway authority regarding multiple construction-related matters
• Represented and secured pre-suit settlement for international real estate investor against Texas developer

Energy & Infrastructure

• Represented and counseled energy sector clients in various matters, including mineral interest chain-of-title disputes, securities-related litigation and other complex commercial disputes
• Obtained verdict at trial for telecommunication client in multiparty vendor dispute brought in state court