Joe Virene

• Obtained an arbitration award on behalf of an electrical subcontractor for loss of productivity against general contractor.
• Defense of large, international manufacturer of valves against alleged misappropriation of trade secrets.
• Defense of an exploration and production company sued for allegedly overcharging for indirect operating expenses under an operating agreement.
• Defense of electrical distributorship and its CEO against alleged violations of restrictive covenants and alleged misappropriation of trade secrets.
• Represented a large high-rise condominium association in a construction defect case against the general contractor and its subcontractors and obtained favorable resolution.
• Represented world’s leading waste and environmental service provider in connection with construction of a Mixed Materials MRF Project.
• Won a bench trial on behalf of Schlumberger Technology Corp. in a suit against a former drilling fluids specialist for breach of the non-competition and training reimbursement provisions of his employment agreement. The court issued a permanent injunction enforcing the restrictive covenant and awarded Schlumberger damages and attorneys’ fees for the employee’s breach of his training reimbursement obligation.
• Obtained a temporary injunction against former employees of an oil field services company for violations of covenants not to compete.
• Obtained numerous successful resolutions on behalf of parties prosecuting and defending against covenants not to compete.
• 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.

Gray Reed’s Construction practice combines legal experience with a deep understanding of the construction industry and the way projects operate from development through completion. The team advises construction businesses on contract negotiation and review, project management, real-time project issues, claims preparation and resolution, mechanic’s liens, payment bonds, collections, surety matters, regulatory and licensing issues, OSHA compliance, environmental matters, and MBE/WBE/DBE requirements.

When disputes arise, Gray Reed represents clients in mediation, arbitration, alternative dispute resolution proceedings, and litigation. The practice also draws on the firm’s broader capabilities to advise construction clients on project development and finance, labor and employment, insurance, acquisitions, business sales, and succession planning.

Gray Reed’s construction lawyers include a Texas Board Certified construction law specialist and an attorney who serves on the American Arbitration Association’s national roster of construction neutrals. The practice has also received national and metropolitan recognition from Best Lawyers’ “Best Law Firms,” while individual team members are regularly recognized for their work in construction law and construction litigation.

Gray Reed is a full-service Texas law firm with more than 160 attorneys across offices in Dallas, Houston, and Waco. The firm represents businesses, entrepreneurs, and high-net-worth individuals with sophisticated legal needs, combining broad transactional and litigation capabilities with a strong emphasis on understanding each client’s business, industry, and long-term objectives.

The firm operates across 15 organized practice groups, providing counsel in areas including commercial litigation, corporate and transactional matters, tax, trusts and estates, labor and employment, family law, intellectual property, and bankruptcy. Gray Reed has particular industry depth in construction, energy, real estate, healthcare, and agriculture, with attorneys who combine legal knowledge with an understanding of the commercial and regulatory issues affecting clients in these sectors.

Gray Reed emphasizes long-term client relationships, practical business judgment, and highly personalized service. Twenty-seven of its attorneys are Board Certified by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization, while the firm’s lawyers collectively hold licenses in 17 states. Through its membership in Lexwork International and Lawyers Associated Worldwide, Gray Reed can also connect clients with legal resources in more than 75 countries, extending its capabilities beyond Texas for national and international matters.