Dallas County Names Andrews Kurth for Stadium Negotiations With Cowboys

DALLAS -- Today the Dallas County Commissioners Court approved a legal services contract with Andrews Kurth to represent Dallas County in connection with a potential new stadium for the Dallas Cowboys. The local firm of White & Wiggins will serve as co-counsel with Andrews Kurth. The new contract requires that the Cowboys agree to be responsible for all the county’s legal, financial and consulting costs and expenses relating to developing the new venue.

“We are extremely pleased to be representing Dallas County in this matter and appreciate the confidence that the Court has shown in us,” said Gene Locke, an Andrews Kurth partner who also serves as general counsel to the Harris County-Houston Sports Authority. Together with attorneys from its Dallas office, the team of Andrews Kurth attorneys that worked on the development of Reliant Stadium, Minute Maid Park and Toyota Center in Houston will undertake the new assignment for Dallas County. In addition to Locke, those attorneys include Bob Collie, Mark Arnold, James Hernandez, Bob Griffo and Monica Coffey.

Andrews Kurth, along with White & Wiggins, will assist Dallas County in negotiations with the Cowboys for the design, construction, financing and operation of a new stadium. While the site for the new stadium has yet to be determined, the venue may one day host not only the Dallas Cowboys but a multitude of entertainment opportunities.

Before a new stadium may be built, Dallas County and the Dallas Cowboys must reach agreement for the new venue. Then, the voters of Dallas County must also approve the venue and the use of hotel occupancy taxes, car rental taxes and other sources to fund any public contribution.

Andrews Kurth previously negotiated the major construction and lease agreements for the new sports venues in Houston. The firm also acted as special counsel to the City of San Antonio in negotiations with the San Antonio Spurs and in matters related to the Alamodome.

Andrews Kurth LLP, founded in 1902, has more than 400 lawyers with offices in Austin, Dallas, Houston, London, Los Angeles, New York, The Woodlands and Washington, DC. The firm has an international client base and has experience in all major industries and areas of business law.