Sanford L. Dow

Mr. Dow's practice involves litigating commercial disputes, as well as representing clients in various real estate and business transactions. As a result of his transactional experience, and having tried both jury and non-jury cases, Mr. Dow is uniquely qualified to assist his transactional clients in avoiding common business traps which often result in unwanted litigation. During trial, Mr. Dow's background provides a basis for explaining how deals are developed and how agreements unravel. He has represented clients in both state and federal courts, and has appeared before the Texas Court of Appeals. Mr. Dow's past business and trial experience includes:

• Obtaining a $4,500,000 unanimous jury verdict on behalf of real estate investors who were defrauded in connection with the purchase of a big box retail building from a Dallas-based real estate development and acquisition firm. The jury unanimously awarded punitive damages based on the defendant’s fraud. Read Article.

• Successfully obtaining judgment in federal court trial involving Mexican tax liability wrongfully incurred by client in connection with disposition of Mexican real estate. The finding is a matter of first impression in United States courts.

• Obtaining take nothing judgment on behalf of Arizona Bank which had been sued in connection with allegations relating to lender fraud.

• Obtaining a unanimous jury verdict on behalf of a minor who had been physically assaulted by his educational therapist.

• Representing a member of the royal family of a Middle Eastern country in connection with multi-million dollar disposition of real property located in Houston.

• Representing the seller of a “big-box” building to a national clothing retail chain in a multi-million dollar transaction.

• Representing a buyer in a multi-million dollar asset purchase of a well-known Houston trade show.

• In corporate fiduciary litigation matter involving extended family members, successfully resolved lawsuit regarding well-established Houston family business wherein Mr. Dow’s clients ultimately acquired one hundred percent stock ownership and control.

• Representing an internationally recognized physician in connection with his employment and chairmanship of a department and institute at a major Houston hospital.

• Successfully defeated summary judgment motion in matter involving claim of specific performance of real estate contract (purchase price in excess of $8,500,000.00).

• Representing a client in the potential acquisition of real property for a purchase price in excess of $11,000,000.00.

• Representing a commercial office building in connection with the preparation of a landlord's form commercial lease for general use.

• Representing a film production company in connection with the production and distribution of a first-class feature-length independent, theatrical motion picture, including the drafting and negotiating of a Writer Employment Agreement, Producer Loanout Agreement, Director Agreement (Loanout), Actor Agreement, various licenses, confidentiality and non-disclosure agreements, issues relating to copyright and trademark, and the formation of a limited liability corporation.

• Successfully obtaining a favorable settlement for a minority shareholder of a closely held corporation who had been sued as a defendant by the majority shareholders seeking a judicial dissolution of the company. The majority shareholders, the plaintiffs, took nothing.

• Successfully representing a resort hotel in a business fraud case arising from the breach of a loan commitment (resulting in a judgment in excess of $1,300,000).

• Obtaining a summary judgment dismissing fraud and deceptive trade practices claims against a nationally recognized religious leader.

• Representing national and local real estate developers in all aspects of real estate litigation, including disputes over title, mechanic's lien issues, complex office lease disputes, construction defects, land use matters, construction contract disputes, and issues relating to possession.

• Defending a television cable company in a class action.

• Obtaining injunctive relief on behalf of a home security company whose employees were breaching a covenant not to compete contained in their employment contracts.

• Defending directors and officers of a nonprofit corporation who had been sued for allegedly breaching their fiduciary duties.

• Obtaining a dismissal of a civil rights claim against a major national healthcare corporation.

• Successfully obtaining a jury verdict in a breach of contract dispute against a national fast food franchisor.

• Resolving a partnership dispute in connection with the disintegration of a Houston law firm.

Prior to joining Dow Golub Berg & Beverly, Mr. Dow was affiliated with Dow, Cogburn & Friedman, P.C., a forty lawyer Houston firm founded by his grandfather, Harry Dow, and which traced its roots to 1924.