J.D. Pauerstein, Partner
Mr. Pauerstein has prosecuted and defended a variety of cases on behalf of businesses and individuals over more than three decades. His experience encompasses business and commercial disputes, including disputes between partners, shareholders, and other business and professional practice owners; disputes between family members over family businesses and real estate holdings; claims arising from non-competition and employment agreements; breach of contract, fraud, unfair competition, antitrust, and deceptive trade practices matters; intellectual property matters, including rights in trademarks, trade secrets, and patents; and errors and omissions claims involving design professionals, lawyers, insurance agents, and financial consultants. He also has represented parties in probate and estate matters, such as disputes over estate administration and the validity of wills.
Mr. Pauerstein frequently represents elected officials and others involved in politics and government. He’s advised regarding campaign finance and related issues; represented before the Texas Ethics Commission; defended criminal and civil matters arising out of political activities; and ballot litigation, election contests, and recounts.
Mr. Pauerstein often works with clients to manage and resolve controversies before formal proceedings are initiated. In this context, he seeks to help clients evaluate disputes realistically at an early stage and attempt to resolve them without litigation.
Selected significant matters include:
- Successfully defended San Antonio technology company in patent infringement litigation brought by subsidiary of Fortune 10 company
- With partner Ralph Lopez, represented owner of closely held business in securing defense verdict in jury trial of a multi-million dollar dispute with former employees
- Retained by a defendant four weeks before trial, after an adverse partial summary judgement had been entered, Mr. Pauerstein led a team of lawyers and obtained a jury verdict exonerating the defendant in an antitrust case involving the junior fashion apparel market
- Obtained a jury verdict in favor of cellular telephone service provider in federal court suit brought by former executive vice president
- Secured summary judgement completely exonerating nationwide engineering firm in multimillion-dollar suit alleging errors in design of complex water treatment plant
- Obtained a jury verdict in favor of environment testing products company in suit for theft of its trade secrets, resulting in judgement for actual and punitive damages
- Successfully represented a family limited partnership in arbitration and litigation arising out of a venture to create an “e-commerce” company
- Successfully represented a major Texas political party and congressional delegation in state and federal redistricting suits, including approximately six weeks in trial
EDUCATION & BAR ASSOCIATIONS
J.D., Baylor University School of Law (cum laude)
Editor-in-Chief, Baylor Law Review, 1983
B.A., with honors, University of Texas at Austin
Admitted to practice: Texas; United States Supreme Court; United States Courts of Appeals for the Fifth, Ninth, and Federal Circuits; United States District Courts for the Western and Southern Districts of Texas
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
Trustee, Texas 4H Youth Development Foundation
Life Member, San Antonio Livestock Exposition, Inc.
Life Fellow, Texas Bar Foundation
Advisory Director, Crosspoint, Inc.
ACCOLADES
Martindale-Hubbell Preeminent A/V Peer Rated for Highest Level of Professional Excellence
“Texas Super Lawyers” Thomson Reuters (2004 to 2022)
“Best Lawyer” Business Litigations, S.A. Scene Magazine (2005-2023)
