Charles Getman has nearly 30 years of litigation practice representing Fortune 500 companies. His particular expertise focuses on handling sophisticated commercial litigation and arbitration, with emphasis in major construction failures/disputes, professional liability and intellectual property. Charles has worked with national, regional and local property developers, contractors and vendors, amateur and professional sports leagues, teams and players, and businesses in commercial disputes such as multi-party construction design/defect, federal and state securities claims, trade secrets and other intellectual property and professional liability.
Mr. Getman is "AV" rated by Martindale-Hubbell peer review ratings, the highest rating possible.
REPRESENTATIVE EXPERIENCE
- Represented a developer in $20 million-plus construction of dormitory buildings for a state university. Settled claims with government owner, defended claims and prosecuted counter claim for construction defect and delay with client's general contractor. Also prosecuted malpractice claims against the client's architect.
- Represented a technology purchaser/manufacturer in a case against the original developer of a purchased technology. The developer was threatening to re-sell the technology to the manufacturer's competitor. Obtained a preliminary injunction prohibiting the sale and thereafter settled the claims.
- Defended a general contractor against claim of alleged defective construction in the breach of an underground high-pressure pipeline. Prosecuted crossclaim against second tier subcontractor.
- Defended South African, British and American corporations from plaintiff's product liability claims regarding refractory material in industrial applications.
- Represented a large institutional client's multi-party prosecution of defective construction and design of a 34-story tower following Hurricane Ike and a later rain event.
- Represented an inventor and his company in an attorney malpractice suit for failure to file a timely patent application. The consumer electronic technology, which was patented by another company, later became an industry standard.
- Defended a prime subcontractor against the general contractor's claim for allegedly defective work on a NASA construction project. Prosecuted counterclaims for delay and other damages.
EDUCATION
BAR ADMISSIONS
- State Bar of Texas (1982)
- State Bar of New York (1988)
- All Federal District Courts in Texas, three of four Federal District Courts in New York
- United States Courts of Appeal, 2nd and 5th Circuits
- United States Supreme Court
MEMBERSHIPS & AFFILIATIONS
- State Bar of Texas: Construction Law Section
- Houston Bar Association: Construction Law Section
- State Bar of New York: Commercial Litigation (former member)
