Cook vs. Andrews Kurth Jury rules in favor of Andrews Kurth

HOUSTON - Andrews Kurth is pleased to announce that in the matter of R. Lawrence Cook, as independent administrator of the Estates of Raymond A.Cook and Florence Bryan Cook , in which a jury trial commenced on July 15, the case concluded on Thursday July 24, 2008 with the jury rendering a take-nothing verdict on all counts against the Cook heirs and in favor of Andrews Kurth LLP.

The matter, filed in the 164th Judicial District Court of Harris County, involved the heirs of Raymond Cook, a partner at Andrews Kurth who was killed in an automobile accident in 1975. In 2007, 32 years after Mr. Cook's death, his children sued Andrews Kurth claiming that the firm wrongfully failed to include their father's estate as a participant in the Hughes contingent fee recovery. This claim was made even though their father died the year prior to Mr. Hughes, two years before the Firm entered into its contingent fee representation of Mr. Hughes's maternal heirs, and eight years before the Firm commenced being paid for its successful representation of the maternal heirs. Mr. Cook’s children sought $21 million in damages from Andrews Kurth.

Representing Andrews Kurth was Murray Fogler of Beck, Redden and Secrest. After eight days in trial, the jury ruled in favor of Andrews Kurth.

“Mr. Cook's estate was well represented by the Firm and was fully compensated for his interest in the Firm in compliance with the terms of the Firm's partnership agreement,” says Bob Jewell, Managing Partner. “This was an unfortunate situation. Mr. Cook was a fine man and a very well-regarded partner at the firm. We are glad to have this matter resolved.”

For more than a century, Andrews Kurth has built its practice on the belief that “straight talk is good business.” Real answers, clear vision and mutual respect define the firm’s relationships with clients, colleagues, communities and employees. With more than 400 lawyers and offices in Austin, Beijing, Dallas, Houston, London, Los Angeles, New York, The Woodlands and Washington, DC, Andrews Kurth represents a wide array of clients in all areas of business law. For more information about Andrews Kurth, please visit andrewskurth.com.