Joe Virene represents suppliers, subcontractors, and general contractors in both the construction and oil and gas industries. He has successfully handled various matters, including filing and prosecuting materialmen, mineral, and maritime liens, and litigation arising in connection with the Texas Construction Trust Fund Act, contractual disputes, covenants not to compete, trade secrets, breach of fiduciary duty, and tortious interference with contract. Joe also routinely defends his clients from bankruptcy preference claims. Joe has briefed numerous appeals in various Texas courts of appeal and the Texas Supreme Court for both appellants and appellees.

In addition to litigation, Joe routinely drafts, reviews, and negotiates construction contract documents.

Representative Experience

Representative Trial Experience

• Obtained numerous summary judgments on behalf of construction suppliers against subcontractors who failed to pay for materials purchased on credit.
• Filed and successfully prosecuted numerous mechanic's liens.
• Obtained a dismissal of negligence and breach of contract claims against an electrician and an award of attorney fees against plaintiff in arbitration.
• Obtained order and warrant to seize a vessel owned by a foreign entity on behalf of a local engineering company.
• Obtained dismissals and favorable resulotions for several defendants to bankruptcy preference claims arising out of Lyondell bankruptcy.
• Obtained a temporary injunction against former employees of an oil field services company for violations of covenants not to compete.
• Obtained successful resolution on behalf of oil field services company against competitor who poached several employees.
• Obtained numerous successful resolutions on behalf of oil field services company against former employees for violations of covenants not to compete.

Representative Appellate Experience

• Dealers Elec. Supply Co. v. Scroggins Const. Co., 292 S.W.3d 650 (Tex.2009)
• Scoggins Constr. Co. v. Dealers Elec. Supply Co., No. 13-06-00368-CV, 2009 WL 3390324 (Tex.App.-Corpus Christi 2009, pet. denied)
• Morales v. Cemex Construction Materials South, 14-10-00727-CV; 2011 WL 3628861 (Tex.App.-Houston [14th Dist.] 2011, no pet. h.).

Past Experience

During law school, Joe interned for the Honorable Lynn Hughes, United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas and Justice Terry Jennings, First Court of Appeals of Texas.

Professional Activities, Memberships & Affiliations

• American Bar Association
• Houston Bar Association
• Construction Law Section of the State Bar of Texas and Houston Bar Association
• Appellate Practice Section of the State Bar of Texas and Houston Bar Association
• American Subcontractor's Association