Jason W. Snell

Recognition

Texas Lawyer Litigator of the Week - May 7, 2018
Super Lawyers - Rising Star 2012, Thomson Reuters
Super Lawyers – 2014-2015 and 2017-2023, Thomson Reuters

Licensures

Jason Snell is licensed to practice before Texas and New York state courts, the United States District Court - Northern District of Texas, the United States District Court - Western District of Texas, the United States District Court - Southern District of New York, the United States District Court - Eastern District of New York, and the Supreme Court of the United States.

Admissions

Texas and New York State Courts
United States District Courts: Northern District of Texas; Western District of Texas; Southern District of New York and Eastern District of New York.

Memberships

Member, American Board of Trial Advocates
Member, National Board of Trial Advocacy
Member, Jury Service Committee, State Bar of Texas (2018-2021)
Member, Standing Committee on Lawyer and Information Services, American Bar Association (2015-2017)
Board of Trustees, Lawyer Referral Service of Central Texas (2009-present). Chair (2009-2011, 2015 – 2016 and 2016 -2017)
Member, Board of Directors, Austin Bar Association (2011–2013)
Austin Bar Association Leadership Academy (2013)
Fellow, American Bar Foundation
Fellow, Texas Bar Foundation
Building Owners and Managers Association (2012-present)
Capital Area Trial Lawyers Association (2010-present)
New York City Bar Association (2008-present)
State Bar of Texas
New York State Bar

Notable Matters/Representative Experience

• On May 21, 2019, Snell Law secured a jury verdict in favor of its client. The dispute was the result of a poorly drafted 20-year-old billboard lease, which was inherited by the parties. The firm's client filed suit seeking a declaration that the billboard company did not have the right to unilaterally renew the billboard lease for an additional lease term. As a result of the jury's verdict, the billboard must be removed in October 2019.
• On Thursday, May 9, 2019, Snell Law obtained a jury verdict for its clients in a real estate fraud case after an almost week-long jury trial in Travis County District Court.  The real estate dispute involved the sellers' failure to disclose stucco work and defects in a residential sales transaction. The firm's clients were awarded actual damages and additional damages related to knowing and intentional conduct.
• • On Friday, January 18, 2019, Snell Law obtained a $1.55 million jury verdict for its client in a complex business dispute after a week-long jury trial in Travis County District Court. The complicated business dispute was between Austin and North Carolina companies over the licensing of intellectual property and the management of the respective companies. (This verdict ultimately resulted in a judgment notwithstanding the verdict and no monetary award to the client.)
• In September 2018, after a week-long jury trial in Travis County District Court, the firm successfully defended a multi-million dollar lawsuit brought against the firm's real estate investor client.  The lawsuit involved the ownership of a shopping center's pylon sign and the parties' rights concerning a property owner's ability to construct a multi-story building in the front of a shopping center. The firm obtained favorable findings on all factual and legal issues before the court and jury.  The firm's client was awarded reimbursement of its attorney and expert fees in defending the lawsuit.
• After a nearly week-long jury trial in Bastrop County District Court, obtained a more than $850,000 judgment against a sitting judge for real estate fraud.
• After a trial in Travis County Court at Law, obtained a more than $375,000 jury verdict on behalf of homeowners against builders/sellers for violation of the Texas Deceptive Trade Practices Act. The trial included testimony from three fact witnesses and three construction experts. (This lawsuit ultimately settled in favor of Snell Law’s clients for more than $215,000.)
• After a nearly week-long jury trial in district court, won $1.2M judgment on behalf of antiques dealer clients, May 2016.
• After a trial in district court, won defense verdict with an award of attorney fees for clients sued related to a real estate transaction.
• After an almost week-long jury trial in Travis County, Texas, obtained a jury verdict in favor of an environmental testing company. The trial involved testimony from seven witnesses, including two experts.
• After an almost week-long trial in Williamson County, Texas, obtained a verdict in favor of a roofing contractor related to the construction of an HEB. During the trial, successfully defended general contractor's claims, and prevailed on roofing contractor's counterclaims. The verdict included reimbursement of attorney fees. The general contractor unsuccessfully appealed to the Third Court of Appeals.
• Successfully defended a business tort case filed in the United States District Court in the Central District of California. The case involved a Santa Fe, New Mexico arts and antiques dealer involved in the petrified wood trade in Arizona.
• Successfully litigated and recovered substantial assets on behalf of clients defrauded out of almost $1 million as part of a securities fraud case. The case involved multiple lawsuits in the United District Court, Southern District of New York (Manhattan).
• Successfully litigated and resolved a federal lawsuit (including injunctive relief) involving a multi-million dollar claim related to engineering services performed on a privately-owned jet aircraft.
• Prevailed in an American Arbitration Association proceeding in New York City representing a project manager in a claim filed against the Greater New York Automobile Dealers Association. Arbitration award included reimbursement of attorney fees.
• Litigated a more than two week jury trial in federal court resulting in $17 million plaintiffs' verdict.
• Successfully arbitrated and then litigated in state court a real estate dispute involving a well-use agreement. This matter involved a mediation, a breached settlement agreement, injunctive relief hearings, a trial, and an appeal to the Third Court of Appeals. Mr. Snell's clients prevailed at each stage of every proceeding.
• Has successfully sued numerous of the largest apartment management companies in Texas over excessive late fees and other prohibited surcharges to tenants. The class action settlements have resulted in thousands of Texas tenants receiving multi-millions of dollars in settlement funds as reimbursement for the charges. Other similar cases remain pending.
• Settlement of a wrongful death claim as a result of a motorcycle accident.
• Successfully litigated to conclusion dozens of construction project disputes, including trials in Hays, Travis, Williamson, and Bastrop Counties.
• Oral argument before the Third Court of Appeals in Austin, Texas.
• Significant experience in litigating dozens of cases in United States District Courts in New York in the Southern (Manhattan) and Eastern Districts of New York.
• Significant experience in litigating dozens of cases in United States District Courts in Texas in the Western, Northern, and Eastern Districts of Texas.
• Settled a personal injury lawsuit for more than $7 million after jury selection in New York Supreme Court, Kings County (Brooklyn).

Other Activities

Teacher, The People’s Law School in Austin, Texas
Instructor, Pratt Institute, School of Architecture in New York (2006-2007), New York Construction Law
Lecturer, Building Owners’ and Managers’ Institute in New York (2006-2007), Torts and Claims-Management
Lecturer, Polytechnic University, School of Continuing and Professional Studies in New York (2007), Dispute Avoidance and Resolution
President, Class of 1995, Stephen F Austin State University

Education

B.A. Communications, Stephen F. Austin, 1995
Queen’s College, Oxford University, 1996
J.D., cum laude, Texas Tech School of Law, 1999
American Jurisprudence Award for academic excellence
Phi Delta Phi (top 25% of class)

Hobbies

Jason’s hobbies include spending time with his family, running, hiking in the Hill Country, traveling, and visiting his home in Marfa, Texas.