Practice Areas

Probate Disputes

Business Litigation

Employment Law
Business & Commercial Litigation
Ramey & Flock’s business and commercial litigation practice is a fundamental area of the firm’s trial practice. Our attorneys serve individuals and groups looking to start, buy or sell a business, and also handle a diverse range of business and commercial disputes, including oil and gas, real estate and contract litigation.
Representation in these areas brings challenges of all kinds. That’s why a proven record of success, one like Ramey & Flock’s, has such a high value. Our attorneys possess a broad base of experience, which enables them to handle the business interests of our clients, many of them Fortune 500 companies, with acute ability. Ramey & Flock has an extensive background in the following areas:
- Business Transactions
- Business Torts
- Construction Litigation
- Consumer Litigation
- Contract Disputes
- Professional Liability/Malpractice
For more information, contact Andrew Stinson, Steve Spitzer, or Eric Kolder, business commercial litigation attorneys in Tyler and throughout East Texas including: Longview, Marshall, Texarkana, Nacogdoches, Lufkin, Palestine, and Henderson.
REPRESENTED BY
Andrew Stinson | Steve Spitzer | Eric Kolder
Banking
Ramey & Flock’s attorneys offer a diverse and broad base of experience in representing banks of all sizes in numerous transactional, employment, and litigation areas of the law, including:
- Commercial lending transactions
- Labor & employment matters
- Collection activities
- Bankruptcy/creditors’ rights matters
- Lender due diligence
Whether it is negotiating and documenting lending transactions, providing advice on the employer-employee relationship, or enforcing the bank’s rights against debtors through collection activities or in bankruptcy court, the attorneys at Ramey & Flock understand the need for quick, decisive, and appropriate legal advice for those in the banking industry. Contact Andrew Stinson for additonal information.
For more information, contact Andrew Stinson, banking attorney in Tyler and throughout East Texas including: Longview, Marshall, Texarkana, Nacogdoches, Lufkin, Palestine, and Henderson.
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Bankruptcy
Filing for bankruptcy can be a way to free yourself from the weight of overwhelming debt and start again. Bankruptcy provides a clean slate for individuals and businesses by discharging most types of debt.
Ramey & Flock represents individuals in the bankruptcy process with an emphasis on Chapter 7 bankruptcy. In Chapter 7, also referred to as liquidation bankruptcy or a complete bankruptcy, debtors can discharge many of their debts and must liquidate their nonexempt assets to pay their creditors. Chapter 7 is one of the most common types of bankruptcy that individuals file for when they feel their debts have grown too out of control.
For more information, contact Eric Kolder or Archer Ramey, bankruptcy attorneys in Tyler and throughout East Texas including: Longview, Marshall, Texarkana, Nacogdoches, Lufkin, Palestine, and Henderson.
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Class Collective Action
Ramey & Flock has a class action and collective action practice spanning the state and federal court systems. The firm’s representations have primarily included the defense of corporations in areas such as wage and hour issues, discrimination, consumer fraud, products liability, professional negligence, and oil and gas disputes, some of which have defined the scope of class action and collective action law.
For more information, contact Andrew Stinson, class/collective actions attorney in Tyler and throughout East Texas including: Longview, Marshall, Texarkana, Nacogdoches, Lufkin, Palestine, and Henderson.
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Business Formation
Entrepreneurship is one of the foundational characteristics that make this nation great. Ramey & Flock understands that when an idea is hatched, there is a quick need for quality legal advice to determine what business entity should be formed and how it should be structured. So, Ramey & Flock steps in the gap to bridge the gulf between an idea and the legal reality of forming a business, to give protection and guidance to entrepreneurs, and to form a business entity not just the immediate needs of today, but looking ahead toward the growth and successes tomorrow.
We work closely with individuals to understand the nature of their business, to grasp the vision for that business, and to anticipate any potential risks or issues that can be effectively dealt with on the front-end during the formation process. The attorneys here seek to build a relationship that can develop and grow over time and its client’s businesses grow. And, Ramey & Flock is uniquely situated to be able to provide other support services in the area of Labor & Employment and business litigation if the need arises in the future.
Whether it is just a few questions about a simply business formation matter, or a complex matter involving an existing business, Ramey & Flock can handle the task with professionalism and personal service.
For more information, contact Andrew Stinson or Archer Ramey, business formation attorney in Tyler and throughout East Texas including: Longview, Marshall, Texarkana, Nacogdoches, Lufkin, Palestine, and Henderson.
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Commercial Transactions
The commercial transactions group of Ramey & Flock provides legal services in transactional law including corporate and partnership agreements, business transfers and buyouts, entity formation, all manner of banking law, and complex incorporation matters with specific expertise in the health care and oil and gas industries.
For more information, contact Archer Ramey, commercial transactions attorney in Tyler and throughout East Texas including: Longview, Marshall, Texarkana, Nacogdoches, Lufkin, Palestine, and Henderson.
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Collections
As a complement to the bankruptcy/creditors’ rights practice of Ramey & Flock, it also offers clients substantial experience in collecting debts-from large to small. The firm has experience representing business owners and individuals, whether secured or unsecured creditors, in the collection of unpaid debts throughout all stages of the debt collection process including court litigation and up through bankruptcy proceedings. Collection services include:
- State court collection litigation
- Obtaining writs of attachment
- Obtaining turnover orders
- Receivership actions
- Post-Judgment collection actions
- Creditor representation in bankruptcy proceedings
- Mineral & Materialmen’s lien enforcement and foreclosure
- Trade debt and accounts receivable collection
- Real estate foreclosure
Ramey & Flock understands the importance of keeping their word. And, when others don’t by refusing to pay valid debts, Ramey & Flock is there to enforce the rights of creditors and ensure that appropriate collection activities occur. Whether the debt is large or small, Ramey & Flock stands ready to help their clients justly and appropriately collect those debts as efficiently and quickly as possible.
For more information, contact Andrew Stinson, collections attorney in Tyler and throughout East Texas including: Longview, Marshall, Texarkana, Nacogdoches, Lufkin, Palestine, and Henderson.
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Construction
Ramey & Flock’s attorneys have represented parties to facilitate solutions to problems encountered in the development and construction of commercial and private properties in both the transactional and litigation phases of issues, including:
- Contractor/subcontractor disputes
- Owner/contractor disputes
- Filing or removal of mechanic’s liens
- Construction defect claims
- Construction insurance claims
- Personal injury claims
Ramey & Flock’s skilled litigation and transactional attorneys ensure that its clients are covered throughout the process of development and construction or commercial and private properties. The attention to detail given to documents, professionalism and practicality in approaching problems, and willingness to litigate when necessary are attributes of Ramey & Flock’s attorneys that lead to efficient and positive results for its clients in the area of construction law.
For more information, contact Andrew Stinson, construction attorney in Tyler and throughout East Texas including: Longview, Marshall, Texarkana, Nacogdoches, Lufkin, Palestine, and Henderson.
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Government - Municipal Liability
Government entities face a two-fold challenge in the legal world. They are subject to private laws, as well as government-specific regulations. With experience defending numerous cities and counties, as well as other municipal factions, Ramey & Flock understands and is prepared to assist their governmental and municipal clients in all forms of liability litigation, from breach of contract to civil rights issues, and inclusive of all constitutional law.
For more information, contact Andrew Stinson, governmental/municipal liability attorney in Tyler and throughout East Texas including: Longview, Marshall, Texarkana, Nacogdoches, Lufkin, Palestine, and Henderson.
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Health Care
Ramey & Flock defends healthcare employers against civil claims. In addition, Ramey & Flock works with the healthcare entities in developing prevention programs to aggressively deter liability. Ramey & Flock has the experience to help healthcare providers and entities work to minimize potential liabilities and to defend against claims asserted against those entities or individuals.
For more information, contact Steve Spitzer, health care attorney in Tyler and throughout East Texas including: Longview, Marshall, Texarkana, Nacogdoches, Lufkin, Palestine, and Henderson.
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Intellectual Property
Intellectual property cases are always highly complex and no two are ever the same. Ramey & Flock’s intellectual property team truly offers the full range of skills and experience for all local and co-counsel needs.
Ramey & Flock’s intellectual property attorneys understand the law and the complexities of this type of litigation. They have co-counseled on some of the most high-stakes intellectual property cases ever litigated.
For more information, contact Andrew Stinson, intellectual property local counsel attorney in Tyler and throughout East Texas including: Longview, Marshall, Texarkana, Nacogdoches, Lufkin, Palestine, and Henderson.
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Labor - Employment
Ramey & Flock’s labor and employment law department includes Eric Kolder & Andrew Stinson who have experience with traditional and non-traditional labor and employment issues. Ramey & Flock has extensive experience before the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the Department of Labor, the Texas Workforce Commission, National Labor Relations Board and in state and federal courts in the following areas:
- Discrimination
- Harassment (hostile work environment)
- Retaliation
- Wrongful termination
- Defamation
- Invasion of privacy
- Non-competition agreements
- Trade secret theft
- Wage and hour issues
- Misappropriation of confidential or proprietary business information
The concerns that employers face are detailed, and must be navigated with knowledge. Our employer clients trust us to guide them, whether we represent them in an administrative proceeding or lawsuit, or provide counsel regarding policy.
Ramey & Flock counsels clients in the following areas:
- Executive compensation and agreements
- Compliance with local, state and federal regulations and laws
- Policy and procedure drafting and implementation
- Contract and other written agreement preparation
- Hiring processes
- Employee training and counseling
- Wage and Hour Issues
For more information, contact Eric Kolder or Andrew Stinson, labor/employment attorneys in Tyler and throughout East Texas including: Longview, Marshall, Texarkana, Nacogdoches, Lufkin, Palestine, and Henderson.
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Local Counsel
Ramey & Flock regularly appears in courts in Tyler and the surrounding Northeast Texas area, and is often called on to serve as local counsel for law firms and clients outside of the area on a wide variety of civil litigation matters. Please contact us for any local counsel needs that you have and we will be glad to evaluate ways that we can help.
For more information, contact Andrew Stinson, Steve Spitzer, or Paul Gilliam business formation attorneys in Tyler and throughout East Texas including: Longview, Marshall, Texarkana, Nacogdoches, Lufkin, Palestine, and Henderson.
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Oil & Gas
Living and working in East Texas give the attorneys of Ramey & Flock first-hand knowledge of the Oil & Gas industry. Ramey & Flock’s Oil & Gas section represents working interest owners, royalty owners, service companies, landowners and operators, both large and small.
For more information, contact Andrew Stinson, oil & gas attorney in Tyler and throughout East Texas including: Longview, Marshall, Texarkana, Nacogdoches, Lufkin, Palestine, and Henderson.
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Personal Injury
Ramey & Flock handles a wide area of personal injury matters, including local employers, business owners and individuals who have been sued with claims involving personal injury and wrongful death arising from products liability, general negligence, and other actions.
This section includes Paul Gilliam and Alan Brown, all of whom are attorneys Board Certified in Personal Injury Trial Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization.
For more information, contact Paul Gilliam, personal injury attorney in Tyler and throughout East Texas including: Longview, Marshall, Texarkana, Nacogdoches, Lufkin, Palestine, and Henderson.
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Premises Liability
Ramey & Flock has a widespread background representing property owners, management companies, landlords, tenants and commercial chains, in lawsuits where compensation is sought for alleged Americans with Disabilities Act violations, slip and fall, assault, wrongful detention, and illegal arrests. The trial experience of our attorneys has prepared them to handle the following types of cases:
- Falling merchandise
- Negligent maintenance
- Dram shop and liquor liability claims
- False imprisonment claims
- Criminal acts stemming from premises security
- Slip and fall
- Premise defects
For more information, contact Paul Gilliam or Steve Spitzer, premises liability attorneys in Tyler and throughout East Texas including: Longview, Marshall, Texarkana, Nacogdoches, Lufkin, Palestine, and Henderson.
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Probate Litigation - Estate Disputes
Ramey & Flock’s probate litigation and estate dispute practice involves contested wills, trusts, guardianships and heirships.
On will contest cases, Ramey & Flock’s attorneys litigate whether a will should be set aside due to undue influence or lack of testamentary capacity. Other frequent probate issues are determining who the correct heirs of the estate are, deciding what property should be included in the estate, assessing what share of the estate each heir should receive, and analyzing whether the real estate inherited by the heirs needs to be partitioned between them.
Ramey & Flock represents clients in fiduciary litigation involving whether an executor, administrator, trustee or guardian has discharged his or her duties properly. If improper actions are present, the question then becomes whether that person should be removed from office and be found liable for damages.
On contested trust matters, Ramey & Flock works on litigation to modify the terms of the trust, and determines whether the trustee is administering the trust properly and making proper distributions from the trust.
In guardianships, the issues are often whether the person in question is truly incapacitated and, if so, who should be appointed as the guardian.
Regardless of the nature of the disputed estate, trust or guardianship matter, Ramey & Flock’s attorneys stand ready to vigorously represent the interests of their clients.
Learn more about what’s going on in probate law, including major cases, decisions and legislative updates by reading the following articles, which are edited by Ramey & Flock attorney, Steve M. Spitzer.
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Real Estate
Real estate law is very detailed with an independent set of procedures and protocol. Ramey & Flock’s real estate practice, lead by Andrew Stinson, understands these intricacies and the weight real estate matters have on a business or individual’s reputation and finances. Our attorneys represent clients in all types of real estate and financial transactions stemming from joint ventures, acquisitions, development, disposition of real estate projects, sales and leasing.
For more information, contact Andrew Stinson, real estate attorney in Tyler and throughout East Texas including: Longview, Marshall, Texarkana, Nacogdoches, Lufkin, Palestine, and Henderson.
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Transportation - Trucking
Ramey & Flock has long served the operators and insurers of 18-wheelers and other commercial vehicles. We have represented clients facing the legal issues that come along with shipping processes and interstate commerce, as well as the following:
- Truck accidents
- Tort liability defense
- Weight violations
- Insurance coverage issues
- Personal injury suits
- Wrongful death claims
For more information, contact Paul Gilliam, transportation/trucking attorney in Tyler and throughout East Texas including: Longview, Marshall, Texarkana, Nacogdoches, Lufkin, Palestine, and Henderson.
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Trial Support - Consultation
Our trial support and consultation services are solidified with experience. Whether in trial court, appellate court or in the state and federal courts, we offer a range of services pre-trial, during trial, and post-verdict, including:
- Pre-suit litigation analysis – Development of strategies for claims, defenses, parties, forum selections, and settlement.
- Law-based motions – Handling of law-intensive motions and motions for summary judgment.
- Discovery and evidentiary issues – Handling hearings and mandamus proceedings over discovery disputes, expert issues and evidentiary matters.
- Preservation of error – Assisting trial counsel during jury selection, evidentiary presentation, closing arguments and receipt of verdict.
- Trial court briefing – Drafting trial briefs that address legal issues arising during trial.
- Jury charge matters – Preparing and arguing the jury charge.
- Post-verdict motions – Development of potential appellate arguments.
- Record preservation – Working with trial counsel to ensure the appellate record is comprehensive.
- Supersedeas and stays – Supporting trial counsel in superseding judgment and staying execution during appeal.
Wills - Probate - Estate Planning
Preparation for the protection and distribution of your assets is often difficult, but is a very important task to complete. Probate litigation was one of Ramey & Flock’s first practice areas, originally handled by Jack W. Flock, firm founder. Attorneys Steve Spitzer, Andrew Stinson, Eric Kolder and Archer Ramey now make up a team prepared to handle and assist at every step, from a will’s creation to probate litigation. These litigators understand the challenges that arise during disputes over an estate. They handle these matters in a business-like fashion, but are consistently aware of the delicate relationships that may be involved.
Our wills and estate planning services include preparing for the distribution of assets and the perpetuation of family businesses. We draw on our knowledge of the law in the areas of wills, trusts, probate, marriage and property. We also advise clients in the following:
- Joint ownership of property
- Family limited partnerships
- Limited liability companies for the management of property and lifetime transfers to family members
- Living wills
- Advance health care directives
- Powers of attorney
- Revocable living trusts
- The effect of income tax on their assets
The Ramey & Flock team also settles estates by means of preparing and filing pleadings and other documents in the appropriate probate court, organizing estate assets, compiling an inventory of assets, settling claims, reviewing accountings, and interpretation and allocation of assets according to written wills.
For more information, contact Steve Spitzer, Andrew Stinson, Eric Kolder, or Archer Ramey, wills/probate/estate planning attorneys in Tyler and throughout East Texas including: Longview, Marshall, Texarkana, Nacogdoches, Lufkin, Palestine, and Henderson.
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