Biography
Tres focuses his practice on providing strategic advice and representation in bankruptcy matters and complex commercial, construction, and real estate litigation. Tres has significant experience representing secured creditors, unsecured creditors, and trustees in bankruptcies and related litigation in bankruptcy courts across Texas and throughout the country. Tres’s clients are commonly members of creditor committees in complex Chapter 11 reorganizations across various industries, including commercial and industrial construction, oil & gas, retail and hospitality, and creditor-debtor litigation resulting from those areas. Tres also assists clients with asset sales and other corporate liquidation-related matters. Tres litigates regularly in bankruptcy court, both in contested matters and as lead counsel for plaintiffs and defendants in adversary proceedings.
Tres also maintains an active litigation practice in state and federal court, in which he represents clients in a wide range of commercial litigation matters in the construction, real estate, energy, and financial service industries. Tres also assists with appeals in both state and federal court, most recently serving as lead counsel for the prevailing appellee before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit.
Education
- Texas Tech School of Law – J.D., cum laude, 2012
- Texas A&M University – B.S., 2006
Recognitions & Distinctions
- Named “Rising Star” by Texas Super Lawyers (2021)
- Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in America (2021 – 2025): Commercial Litigation, Construction Law, and Insurance Law
- Named a “Top Lawyer” by Houstonia Magazine (2018 – 2022)
Representative Experience
- Successfully defended client in adversary proceeding in District of Colorado Bankruptcy Court against Trustee’s claim for turnover of property related to Debtor’s pre-petition fraudulent transfer of vintage 1965 Shelby Cobra; Prevailed on counterclaim for declaration that client’s equitable title defeated trustee’s legal title to Cobra.
- Obtained relief from automatic stay on behalf of bank client in hotly contested single real estate Chapter 11 bankruptcy case against opposition from multiple secured creditors, which allowed client to foreclose on property and recover in full.
- Successfully resolved complex interpleader action involving competing claims to over $3.5 million in disputed funds brought by nearly fifteen parties based in the factoring industry. Case involved claims of UCC priority, tortious interference, and breach of contract.
- Prevailed at bench trial and obtained six figure award for client in dueling breach of contract claims; defeated opposing claims and won nearly six figure judgment.
- Successfully resolved partnership dispute for client/member of spirit branding company and distributor against claims of fraud and misappropriation of trade secrets.
- Obtained take nothing judgment for client following bench trial on behalf of national vehicle service center against claims that client violated the Texas Deceptive Trade Practices Act.
- Obtained summary judgment on behalf of client applying to probate will and be named independent executor in hotly contested will contest.
- Prevailed on Application for Attorneys’ Fees and obtained nearly $100,000 award for client in hotly contested guardianship proceeding.
Memberships & Affiliations
- Houston Bankruptcy Inns of Court, Member, Executive Committee
- Texas Bar Foundation, Fellow
- Houston Bar Association, Member
Admissions
- State Bar of Texas
- United States District Courts and Bankruptcy Courts for the Southern, Eastern, Northern, and Western Districts of Texas
- United States District Court and Bankruptcy Court for the District of Colorado
- United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit