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JEFF HOBBS

Jeff Hobbs practices in the commercial, real estate, and construction litigation areas. He handles disputes involving a wide variety of matters, including contracts, land use and entitlements, professional and fiduciary liability, fraud and misrepresentation, Deceptive Trade Practices Act, construction, mechanic’s liens, commercial leases, community association and condominium governance, and partnership, shareholder, and other entity matters. His clients have included real estate developers and investors, home builders, real estate brokers, property owners and condominium associations, commercial contractors, large publicly-traded companies and small businesses, and cities, counties, utility districts, and other governmental entities.

Jeff has represented clients at the trial and appellate levels in state and federal courts, as well as arbitration. Since joining Armbrust & Brown in 2003, he has handled as first or second chair over thirty trials and arbitrations to final verdict or award, and several appeals as lead or co-counsel in the Texas courts of appeal, the Supreme Court of Texas, and the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals.

Prior to joining the firm, Jeff worked at Vinson & Elkins, where he handled litigation matters in the areas of professional liability, securities and other corporate transactions, and real estate.

Representative Experience

  • Defended military defense contractor against claims brought by subcontractor involving design and installation of microwave communication system for U.S. ally, obtaining arbitration award for client denying all of subcontractor’s claims
  • Defended developer in lawsuit by neighborhood association challenging development agreement between client and city concerning future residential development of large tract of land, obtaining summary judgment for client and award of client’s attorney’s fees
  • Defended title company in lawsuit by real estate broker asserting breach of fiduciary duty and other claims arising out of commissions allegedly owed on real estate sale, obtaining summary judgment for client dismissing all of the broker’s claims
  • Defended developer in lawsuit by neighborhood associations challenging permits for commercial redevelopment of shopping mall, obtaining verdict in favor of client after bench trial
  • Defended highway contractor in lawsuit by telecommunications company alleging damage to underground fiber optic line during tollway construction, obtaining jury verdict for client denying all of plaintiff’s claims
  • Defended title company in lawsuit by property purchasers asserting numerous claims arising out of title company’s closing of purchase and construction loan, obtaining summary judgment for client dismissing all of plaintiffs’ claims and successfully defending judgment on appeal
  • Defended large national law firm in lawsuits asserting legal malpractice and other claims arising from prior litigation over insurance claims for damages to buildings in office park development
  • Defended real estate broker and agent in claims for tortious interference related to dispute over listing agreement and commission, obtaining summary judgment for client dismissing plaintiff’s claims and award of clients’ attorney’s fees
  • Defended oilfield services company in defamation lawsuit brought by competitor, achieving favorable settlement for client after court excluded damage model of plaintiff’s expert
  • Defended title company in lawsuit by seller of property asserting breach of fiduciary duty and civil conspiracy claims arising from company’s closing of sale, obtaining summary judgment for client dismissing all of the seller’s claims
  • Defended developer and other parties in premises liability claims arising out of jet ski accident at Lake Travis marina, obtaining summary judgment for all clients
  • Defended national home building company in numerous lawsuits and arbitration proceedings including construction defect claims, earnest money disputes, contractor payment disputes, mechanic’s lien claims, and breach of contract claims
  • Defended county in federal civil rights lawsuit filed by several former detainees alleging sexual assault, obtaining summary judgment for county and successfully defending judgment on appeal
  • Represented utility district in appeal of adverse jury verdict in resident’s lawsuit for breach of contract and property damage, obtaining reversal of overwhelming majority of trial court award
  • Defended contractor in city’s code enforcement action arising from removal of protected trees during construction of apartment project, obtaining jury verdict for client on all counts

Professional/Community Involvement

Austin Bar Association

Texas Bar Foundation, Life Fellow

Austin Bar Foundation, Fellow

Robert W. Calvert Inn, Robert W. Calvert American Inn of Court, Master of the Bench, Executive Committee (2013–2022; Treasurer 2020-2022)

Named Texas Super Lawyers “Rising Star” by Texas Monthly (2005, 2007, 2008 and 2009)

Member of Supreme Court of Texas Task Force for Rules in Expedited Actions (2011-2012)

Saint Matthew’s Episcopal Church, Vestry Member (2011-2013), Senior Warden (2012-2013)

Generation SERVE (Board of Directors, 2016-2021; President, 2020)