Breach of Contract Lawyer Austin, TX
If someone has failed to uphold their end of a business agreement, you’re probably dealing with lost revenue, disrupted operations, or a situation that’s getting worse by the week. Contract breaches don’t fix themselves. The longer they go unaddressed, the harder recovery becomes.
Our Austin, TX breach of contract lawyer at Gray Becker, P.C. has represented individuals and businesses in contract disputes for over 43 years. We handle these cases from both sides, whether you’re pursuing a claim or defending against one, and we’re committed to protecting what you’ve built.
Contact Gray Becker, P.C. to schedule a consultation about your contract dispute.
Why Choose Gray Becker, P.C. for Contract Disputes in Austin, Texas?
Decades of Commercial Litigation Experience in Austin, TX
John D. Jacks became a partner at Gray Becker, P.C. in 2005 and has over 25 years of experience litigating cases in state and federal courts at both the trial and appellate levels. He represents individuals and businesses in breach of contract matters, commercial disputes, partnership disagreements, trade secret protection, and collections. John served as an Assistant Attorney General for the State of Texas after completing law school at The University of Texas, where he represented the state in complex federal proceedings. His peers recognized that work with the Regional Vice President’s Appellate Advocacy Award in 1997.
Douglas M. Becker is a founding member of the firm. He has briefed, argued, and won three cases he presented before the United States Supreme Court and argued well over a hundred cases before the Texas Supreme Court, the state courts of appeals, and the federal courts of appeals. When your contract dispute has appellate implications or involves sophisticated opposing counsel, that kind of track record matters.
Both attorneys are licensed before the U.S. District Courts and the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals, giving Gray Becker broad capacity to handle disputes at every level, from initial negotiations to full trial and appeal. For any matter involving a business lawyer in Austin, TX, our firm brings the courtroom credentials to back it up.
Proven Results for Austin Businesses and Individuals
Our attorneys have helped clients recover millions of dollars in contract and commercial litigation matters. We approach each dispute with a clear-eyed assessment of your position, a strategy built around your goals, and the preparation to see it through. Whether a case resolves at the negotiation table or goes to a jury, we’ve handled it.
John Jacks has been named a Best Lawyer in Commercial Litigation for 2025 and received a Super Lawyer nomination in 2023 and 2024. Douglas Becker has been recognized as a Super Lawyer and Best Lawyer in Commercial Litigation across multiple years. These Best Lawyers designations reflect sustained peer recognition — not a single good year.
A Focused Approach to Contract Disputes
We don’t treat breach of contract cases like commodity work. Every business relationship has a history, and every dispute has specific facts that determine how much leverage you actually have. Our attorneys review the contract language closely, assess what was actually promised versus what was delivered, and identify the strongest path to resolution, whether that’s resolving through litigation or reaching a negotiated outcome that avoids prolonged court proceedings.
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“We had such a positive experience working with Gray Becker. From start to finish, they were professional, attentive, and truly cared about our issue. John Jacks took the time to explain everything clearly, answered all of our questions, and made the entire process much less stressful. Communication was excellent and so quick—always felt informed and supported. Thanks to their hard work and dedication, everything was handled smoothly and with the best possible outcome. We are so grateful for their help and would highly recommend Gray Becker to anyone in need of legal services.” — Lucia Nerio
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Types of Breach of Contract Cases We Handle in Austin
Our attorneys handle a wide range of contract and commercial disputes for businesses, entrepreneurs, and individuals throughout Austin, Texas. The specific facts of your agreement — what it says, what each party did, and what was lost — drive the strategy in every case.
- Contract disputes. We represent clients on both sides of broken agreements, including disputes over performance, payment, deliverables, and timelines. When negotiations stall, we’re prepared to litigate.
- Partnership and shareholder disputes. Business relationships can fracture over money, decision-making authority, or competing interests. These disputes often involve breach of the underlying business agreement, fiduciary duty claims, or both.
- Trade secrets. When a former employee or business partner takes proprietary information and uses it in violation of a confidentiality or non-disclosure agreement, that’s a breach — and often an urgent one.
- Non-compete agreements. These provisions are heavily litigated in Texas. We handle disputes involving the enforcement and defense of restrictive covenants in employment and business sale contexts.
- Commercial litigation. Broader business disputes — including deceptive trade practices, collections, and construction disagreements — frequently hinge on underlying contractual obligations.
- Appellate matters. When a contract dispute results in a judgment you need to challenge or defend on appeal, our attorneys have argued at every appellate level, including before the United States Supreme Court.
Texas Legal Requirements for Breach of Contract
Texas contract law is grounded in Chapter 16 of the Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code, which governs the statute of limitations for filing a breach of contract claim. In most cases, you have four years from the date of the breach to file suit. That window can move quickly, particularly when you factor in the time needed to gather evidence, evaluate your damages, and complete any required pre-suit notice.
To establish a breach of contract claim under Texas law, four elements must be present: a valid contract existed, you performed your obligations under it, the other party failed to perform theirs, and you suffered damages as a result. Each element requires evidence. The contract language itself matters, but so does the parties’ course of dealing and communications leading up to the dispute.
Texas also recognizes treble damages under the Texas Deceptive Trade Practices Act in certain consumer and business contexts, which can substantially increase potential recovery when deceptive conduct is involved. Additionally, attorney’s fees may be recoverable in contract disputes under Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code § 38.001, which is an important factor in evaluating whether litigation makes sense for your situation.
Understanding these rules before you act can mean the difference between a strong claim and a missed opportunity.
Important Aspects of an Austin Breach of Contract Case
Contract Formation and Enforceability
Before anything else, we examine whether a valid, enforceable contract exists. Oral agreements can be binding in Texas, but they’re harder to prove. Written contracts vary widely in how clearly they define obligations, and ambiguous language is exactly what the other side will use against you. We assess enforceability at the outset.
Materiality of the Breach
Not every failure to perform rises to the level of a material breach. Texas courts distinguish between technical or minor deviations and fundamental failures that go to the heart of the agreement. The materiality question affects what remedies are available and whether you were justified in stopping your own performance.
Damages and Calculation
Recoverable damages in a Texas breach of contract case typically include direct damages, the value of what you lost, and in some circumstances, consequential damages such as lost profits. Calculating lost profits requires documentation and, often, financial records or expert analysis. We work to build the strongest damage case the facts support.
Anticipatory Breach
When a party signals they won’t perform before the deadline arrives, through a clear statement or conduct making performance impossible, Texas law may allow you to treat that as a breach immediately. Acting on anticipatory breach has procedural requirements, and getting it wrong can complicate your position. We’ve handled these situations and know the risks on both sides.
Defenses to Breach Claims
If you’re on the defending side, there are several arguments that may apply: the contract was induced by fraud or misrepresentation, the other party’s own breach excused your performance, the contract lacked consideration, or performance was rendered impossible by circumstances outside your control. The costs and benefits of commercial litigation factor into how we counsel clients on whether to fight or resolve.
Evidence and Documentation
Contract disputes are won and lost on documentation. Emails, text messages, invoices, payment records, and internal communications all become relevant. Our team can discuss with you on how the courts evaluate evidence and testimony. We counsel clients on preservation of evidence from day one and know how to build a record that holds up, whether in mediation, arbitration, or at trial.
Contact Gray Becker, P.C.
If someone hasn’t honored your agreement, or if you’re facing a breach of contract claim, the sooner you get a clear picture of your position, the better. Gray Becker, P.C. represents businesses and individuals in Austin contract disputes at every stage, from initial demand through trial and appeal.
Contact our office to schedule a consultation. We’ll review the facts, explain your options, and give you realistic advice on what steps to take next.