TOXIC TORT
Wells Peyton continues to successfully represent major national corporations in products liability and premises liability suits brought by plaintiffs alleging personal injury damage from environmental and occupational exposure to a variety of products. The firm has been involved in toxic tort litigation since Clarence Borel v. Fiberboard, the case that defined the parameters of recovery for occupational diseases. Wells Peyton has been involved in silicosis litigation since that litigation began in the early 1980s.
In occupational disease cases, the firm has developed a team approach to litigation and can call upon several partners, as well as associates, to see a matter to conclusion.
REPESENTATION OF GOVERNMENTAL ENTITIES
Wells Peyton has a long history of representing governmental entities. Since the 1960's the firm has represented numerous school districts in every type of civil litigation and consulative work. Presently, the firm represents most of the public school districts in Southeast Texas including Beaumont Independent School District. Additionally, Wells Peyton has successfully represented numerous municipalities and other governmental entities in litigation matters.
MARITIME LAW
Wells Peyton over the years has represented shipyards, longshore employers and carriers in maritime cases in federal and state courts in Texas and Louisiana. The firm has represented vessel owners as well as product manufacturers and has extensive expertise in the defense of maritime tort cases.
LABOR AND EMPLOYMENT LAW
Our labor and employment attorneys practice all types of labor and employment law on the management side. Our practice includes successful representation of employers before the Equal Employment Opportunity Comminssion, the Texas Human Rights Commission, the Texas Workforce Commission, the Texas Education Agency, and the state and federal courts of Texas.
REAL ESTATE
Well Peyton's expertise in real estate includes preparation of the documents required for the sale of real property, mortgage loans, and all other types of real estate transactions. Clients include financial institutions, developers of real estate projects, commercial landlords and tenants, and sellers and purchasers of commercial, industrial and residential real estate. Wells Peyton attorneys advise clients on the planning aspects of real estate aquisitions and sales, and financing issues, and we assist clients in the processing of approvals and permits required by governmental agencies. Wells Peyton also has extensive expertise in representing clients before the courts in condemnation actions, and actions relating to real property foreclosure, bankruptcy, evictions, and title adjudication.
TAX
The attorneys at Well Peyton have experience in all areas of taxation, with a special emphasis placed on federal income, estate, gift, and general-skipping taxes. We provide expert and practical advice, including tax planning, audits, and litigation. In the tax planning area, our attorneys assist clients in determining the appropriate structure for a particular business to achieve the lowest overall tax cost, and we will continue to review that structure for statutory and regulatory changes. The tax attorneys at Wells Peyton regularly represent the firm's clients before the Internal Revenue Service by obtaining rulings, negotiating closing agreements, and assisting at all stages of a tax audit. We also represent clients in federal tax cases before the United States Tax Court, the Court of Claims, and other federal courts.
Wells Peyton attorneys have experience dealing with Texas state taxes, such as property, sales, and franchise taxes. Our attorneys counsel both business and governmental entities regarding the assessment and collection of taxes and have appeared before local appraisal review boards and in courts on property tax-related matters.
