Business Details
7 Years
experience
Legal Malpractice & Business Litigation Experts
Zavislak James R CPA has dedicated over 35 years to representing clients in legal malpractice and business litigation matters. Recognized as one of Dallas' Best Lawyers by peers during 2015-2020 and 2022, he combines extensive trial experience with an AV Preeminent rating from Martindale-Hubbell, reflecting the highest professional standards. Our practice focuses on holding negligent attorneys accountable and resolving complex business disputes, including breach of contract, fiduciary duty violations, and shareholder conflicts. With a career spanning both plaintiff and defense litigation, including three legal malpractice trials to verdict, we develop innovative strategies tailored to each client's unique circumstances. Our clients benefit from direct, personalized representation handled entirely by experienced counsel rather than junior associates.We offer flexible fee arrangements including contingency, hourly, and mixed models to accommodate diverse client needs. Our track record includes multimillion-dollar recoveries in business disputes and legal malpractice cases against national law firms. Located in Dallas, Texas, we serve clients across state and federal courts with the same tenacity and integrity that opposing counsel describe as 'exceptional preparation' and 'unwavering professionalism.' We maintain active licenses in Texas, Colorado, and multiple federal jurisdictions, including the Tenth and Eleventh Circuit Courts of Appeals. Our commitment to excellence extends beyond litigation, informed by corporate counsel experience with publicly traded energy companies, providing unique perspective in business dispute resolution.
Services
Legal Malpractice
Business Litigation
Breach of Contract
Fiduciary Duty Claims
Commercial Disputes
Details
- Year established: 2019
Highlights and features
- 35+ years of specialized experience in legal malpractice litigation
- AV Preeminent rated by Martindale-Hubbell for professional excellence
- Cases handled directly by experienced trial attorney, not junior associates
- Proven track record in multimillion-dollar business litigation cases
- Recognized by peers as one of Dallas' top legal professionals
Associations and certifications
- Martindale-Hubbell
- D Magazine Best Lawyers
What people say
Tenacious litigator
Excellent preparation
Successful outcomes
Personalized representation
Professional integrity
Services
Legal Malpractice
We represent clients harmed by attorney negligence or ethical violations. Our practice handles cases involving missed deadlines, faulty legal advice, conflict of interest, and overcharging claims. With over 35 years of experience, we've successfully resolved numerous cases against both local and national law firms through settlements and trial verdicts.
Business Litigation
Our firm handles complex business disputes including breach of contract, shareholder conflicts, and fiduciary duty violations. We've secured multimillion-dollar recoveries in cases involving commercial leases, loan agreements, and corporate governance disputes. Our experience includes both plaintiff and defense representation in state and federal courts.
Fiduciary Duty Claims
We specialize in cases involving breach of fiduciary duty by attorneys and business professionals. Our representation includes recovering damages for clients harmed by conflicts of interest, self-dealing, and failure to disclose material information. We've successfully pursued claims resulting in both monetary compensation and policy changes.
Appeals Representation
Our services extend to appellate courts including the Tenth and Eleventh Circuit Courts of Appeals. We've successfully handled appeals in legal malpractice cases and business disputes, maintaining our track record of excellence beyond initial trial proceedings.
Corporate Counsel Experience
Beyond litigation, we offer business advisory services informed by our experience as former general counsel to a publicly traded energy company. This includes corporate governance, SEC compliance, and Sarbanes Oxley implementation, providing unique perspective in business dispute prevention.
People
Zavislak James R CPA
Attorney at Law
With over 35 years of litigation experience, Mr. Pennington specializes in legal malpractice and business litigation. He holds an AV Preeminent rating from Martindale-Hubbell and has been named a Best Lawyer in Dallas multiple times. His career includes both plaintiff and defense representation in complex cases across multiple jurisdictions.
Questions
What types of legal malpractice cases do you handle?
We handle all types of legal malpractice including attorney negligence, breach of fiduciary duty, conflict of interest cases, and overcharging claims.
Do you handle business litigation outside Dallas?
Yes, we represent clients in Texas state courts, multiple federal jurisdictions, and Colorado courts.
What fee arrangements are available?
We offer contingency fees, hourly billing, and mixed arrangements tailored to each case's specific circumstances.
How experienced is your firm in trial litigation?
Our attorney has tried numerous cases to verdict, including three legal malpractice trials and complex business disputes exceeding $1 million.
Can you handle appeals in legal malpractice cases?
Yes, we have experience handling appeals in both state and federal appellate courts across multiple jurisdictions.
