If you ask Attorney Larry Fowler what type of cases he handles, he’ll describe his work representing individuals, businesses, developers, and government entities in a wide variety of land use and commercial real estate issues. He tackles water and land easement disputes, title issues, as well as eminent domain and condemnation, where land valuation issues often arise, in Tarrant County and well beyond.
“With commercial real estate projects, developers often encounter zoning and platting issues, and we’re one of the few area law firms that handle these,” says Larry. With years of experience not only in business litigation, but also as a Planning & Zone Board Commissioner, attending City Council meetings, and Arlington Chamber of Commerce service, he is ready to take on your commercial real estate issues.
Kelly’s presentation, “10 Ways to Avoid a Lawsuit (or Win it Before it Happens) – A Business Trial Lawyer’s Perspective” offers information and insights into preventing legal issues before they can even arise. He draws on his experience in business formation and disputes, oil & gas, serious personal injury, family law, and appeals. These tips can apply not only to individuals, but small and large business owners, and public and private entities.
When it comes to contracts, a handshake is nice, but probably not enough. It’s always a good idea to memorialize the terms of your agreement to writing, whether it’s a formal contract or even a written email. Memories fade, the entities involved may change ownership, and the person you know and trust that you worked with on the deal may retire, move or even pass away. In some cases, such as a real estate transaction, a written contract is required to be enforceable. Although it’s possible to find a form contract online, it may not include all the nuances that you really should cover to protect your interests. Having an attorney review or even draft your agreement could prevent misunderstandings or even a lawsuit.
Collecting fees and invoices for services rendered is not always as simple as we’d like. The more time that passes from the time the service is provided, the harder it can be to collect. To avoid misunderstanding and delay, have a written, clear collections policy in place and follow it consistently to avoid having to hire an attorney to collect a stale debt.
In the area of employment, it’s prudent to determine the nature of the employment right from the start. An independent contractor is not an employee, and more likely is hired for a project with a finite time frame and scope. However, if someone is working part-time, but on a regular schedule and you control the details of how they do their duties, chances are they should be categorized as a part-time employee. This is important for a number of reasons, including whether you should be paying payroll taxes on them, or whether they are handling their own tax filing as an independent contractor.
Although Texas is an “at will” state, meaning an employee can be terminated or resign “at will”, there are still things to consider. You aren’t permitted to fire someone for an illegal reason, such as based on their race, gender, or age, as examples. It’s always wise, if an employee isn’t performing up to expectations, to provide feedback and counseling, and write out a performance improvement place so that everyone is clear on expectations. That way, if you do need to part ways, it doesn’t come as a total surprise. With some issues, if you’d just not sure how to proceed or you have a gut feeling that something isn’t right, it’s never a bad idea to consult with an attorney to make sure you’re on track. One hour of counseling or planning with a lawyer you trust may ultimately help you prevent a long and expensive lawsuit down the road.
For more information feel free to contact Kelly at 817-548-1000.
Art lovers and community members witnessed a blend of creativity and patriotism as U.S. Army veteran and muralist Juan Velazquez added the finishing touches to a brand-new mural dedicated to the National Medal of Honor Museum in downtown Arlington. This live art experience took place on the west side of Curnutt & Hafer LLP’s newest office location at 311 W. Abram Street, adjacent to the firm’s flagship location at 301 W. Abram Street. Attendees watched the mural come to life in real time.
Each element of the mural holds significance. At the heart of the mural appears Minerva, the Roman Goddess of wisdom, arts, and military skill, representing the strength and ideals honored by the medal, and appears on select versions of the medal awarded. The ribbon and stars symbolize the valor of Medal of Honor recipients, whose actions went above and beyond the call of duty. The words across the mural – Integrity, Valor, Honor, Courage — embody the spirit of the Medal’s values, and align with Curnutt & Hafer’s mission and belief system.
The celebration began with brief remarks from firm founders Kelly Curnutt and Doug Hafer, along with special guests National Medal of Honor Museum President and CEO Chris Cassidy, Arlington Mayor Jim Ross, and Greater Arlington Chamber CEO Michael Jacobson. American Idol contestant Odell Bunton, Jr. sang the National Anthem.
The mural is part of the Downtown Arlington public art initiative and was funded by the Arlington Chamber’s Veterans Business Council. Special thanks to grammy-award winning artist Kirk Franklin for facilitating Mr. Bunton’s appearance at this event and to the collaborative efforts of the Arlington Chamber, the Medal of Honor Museum Foundation, the City of Arlington, and the Downtown Arlington Management Corporation.
The mural was completed live during this event, which was the hallmark stop on the Downtown Arlington “First Thursdays” festival, on June 5, 2025.
Photo credits: Greater Arlington Chamber of Commerce, Charity Fitch
