Jake McClellan
Associate
,
Direct: 713.951.6230
Fax: 713.951.3720
Direct: 713.951.6230
Fax: 713.951.3720
As the son of an east Texas small business owner, Jake McClellan learned from an early age the importance of hard work, perseverance and—perhaps most importantly—the value that credibility brings to a person and their business.
Jake applies those same values to his practice, representing a diverse group of businesses and individuals, plaintiffs and defendants, often in complex disputes. Jake has participated in multiple jury trials and arbitrations, with notable experience in commercial, intellectual property, and oil and gas litigation, while also maintaining a well-rounded and generalized trial practice. The intentionally varied nature of Jake’s practice allows him to provide a specialized courtroom viewpoint. From the outset of every matter, Jake is focused on constructing a thoughtful and engaging case story meant to withstand the scrutiny of judges and build credibility in front of a jury.
While Jake looks at every case like it will one day be in front of the jury, he also knows that some cases require a delicate and real-world resolution outside the courtroom. In every engagement, Jake strives to balance practical guidance and tailored solutions with thorough case preparation to advance his clients’ interests.
In addition to his local and state bar membership, Jake is a member of the Steering Committee of the Young Lawyers division of the Defense Research Institute (DRI). He is also an active member at St. John the Divine Episcopal Church, where he serves on the Associate Vestry.
-
Representative experience
- As first chair trial lawyer, obtained a unanimous jury verdict in a property dispute over encroachments to an easement. Jake obtained summary judgment on his clients’ affirmative claims prior to trial, gave the opening statement and performed witness examinations at trial. The final judgment included a permanent injunction based on the jury’s verdict.
- Obtained no liability final Award and an award on attorneys’ fees for a large lubricant manufacturer in an arbitration alleging patent infringement and breach of a licensing agreement involving use of a handled mold. Jake managed pre-trial matters, including developing pre-hearing witness statements for use at Final Hearing. He second-chaired the Final Hearing and cross-examined a witness. A Florida state court entered Final Judgment on the Award for attorneys’ fees, and Jake coordinated the successful collection of the Award by the client.
- Second-chaired a jury trial with David J. Beck on behalf of a law firm against a former attorney for breach of employment agreement and mishandling of confidential information. Jake managed pre-trial matters and presented two witnesses for direct examination.
- Part of trial team along with Richard Mithoff that obtained an approximate $12 million verdict in Harris County Probate Court on behalf of plane crash victim families. Jake prepared pretrial dispositive motion briefing, assisted with admission of exhibits, and advised at counsel table during trial.
- Obtained summary judgments on behalf of individual lawyers and an international law firm in two separate contract and tortious interference disputes brought by a headhunter in Harris County state court. Jake managed discovery and drafted both summary judgment motions, arguing a portion of one motion and the entirety of the other. The summary judgment against the individual lawyers was affirmed on appeal (with review denied by the Texas Supreme Court), while the summary judgment against the law firm was not challenged and is final.
- Obtained dismissal with prejudice after moving for summary judgment on behalf of large beverage company facing negligence and gross negligence claims over an alleged railway obstruction on their yard. Jake managed all aspects of the case, took all of the depositions, and drafted a summary judgment motion. After the filing of that motion, the plaintiffs voluntarily dismissed their claims against Jake’s client.
- Obtained Award on breach of contract claims and attorneys’ fees to obtain indemnity on behalf of large ATV/UTV manufacturer during a separate pending dispute. Jake prepared the Arbitration Demand and drafted dispositive briefing to obtain the Award, which was not challenged.
- Obtained dismissal with prejudice after executing “snap removal” of products liability claims against large ATV/UTV manufacturer. Jake developed the removal strategy and successfully argued to keep the case in federal court, resulting in a voluntary dismissal of the Firm’s client.
- Obtained favorable resolution of high stakes multi-venue dispute for a popular travel media outlet with intellectual property claims brought by a major airline. Jake and the Beck Redden team drafted several early dispositive motions, including obtaining a successful partial dismissal ruling on some of the asserted claims. This ruling eventually played a role in a favorable settlement of the matter.
-
Honors & Awards
- Named in The Best Lawyers in America: Ones to Watch in Product Liability Litigation – Defendants, 2024
-
Professional Activities & Memberships
- Houston Bar Association
- American Bar Association
- Texas Association of Defense Counsel (TADC)
- Defense Research Institute (DRI)
September 5, 2022
August 8, 2023
Jake McClellan
Associate,
Houston
Direct: 713.951.6230
Fax: 713.951.3720
Direct: 713.951.6230
Fax: 713.951.3720
While Jake looks at every case like it will one day be in front of the jury, he also knows that some cases require a delicate and real-world resolution outside the courtroom. In every engagement, Jake strives to balance practical guidance and tailored solutions with thorough case preparation to advance his clients’ interests.
In addition to his local and state bar membership, Jake is a member of the Steering Committee of the Young Lawyers division of the Defense Research Institute (DRI). He is also an active member at St. John the Divine Episcopal Church, where he serves on the Associate Vestry.
-
Representative experience
- As first chair trial lawyer, obtained a unanimous jury verdict in a property dispute over encroachments to an easement. Jake obtained summary judgment on his clients’ affirmative claims prior to trial, gave the opening statement and performed witness examinations at trial. The final judgment included a permanent injunction based on the jury’s verdict.
- Obtained no liability final Award and an award on attorneys’ fees for a large lubricant manufacturer in an arbitration alleging patent infringement and breach of a licensing agreement involving use of a handled mold. Jake managed pre-trial matters, including developing pre-hearing witness statements for use at Final Hearing. He second-chaired the Final Hearing and cross-examined a witness. A Florida state court entered Final Judgment on the Award for attorneys’ fees, and Jake coordinated the successful collection of the Award by the client.
- Second-chaired a jury trial with David J. Beck on behalf of a law firm against a former attorney for breach of employment agreement and mishandling of confidential information. Jake managed pre-trial matters and presented two witnesses for direct examination.
- Part of trial team along with Richard Mithoff that obtained an approximate $12 million verdict in Harris County Probate Court on behalf of plane crash victim families. Jake prepared pretrial dispositive motion briefing, assisted with admission of exhibits, and advised at counsel table during trial.
- Obtained summary judgments on behalf of individual lawyers and an international law firm in two separate contract and tortious interference disputes brought by a headhunter in Harris County state court. Jake managed discovery and drafted both summary judgment motions, arguing a portion of one motion and the entirety of the other. The summary judgment against the individual lawyers was affirmed on appeal (with review denied by the Texas Supreme Court), while the summary judgment against the law firm was not challenged and is final.
- Obtained dismissal with prejudice after moving for summary judgment on behalf of large beverage company facing negligence and gross negligence claims over an alleged railway obstruction on their yard. Jake managed all aspects of the case, took all of the depositions, and drafted a summary judgment motion. After the filing of that motion, the plaintiffs voluntarily dismissed their claims against Jake’s client.
- Obtained Award on breach of contract claims and attorneys’ fees to obtain indemnity on behalf of large ATV/UTV manufacturer during a separate pending dispute. Jake prepared the Arbitration Demand and drafted dispositive briefing to obtain the Award, which was not challenged.
- Obtained dismissal with prejudice after executing “snap removal” of products liability claims against large ATV/UTV manufacturer. Jake developed the removal strategy and successfully argued to keep the case in federal court, resulting in a voluntary dismissal of the Firm’s client.
- Obtained favorable resolution of high stakes multi-venue dispute for a popular travel media outlet with intellectual property claims brought by a major airline. Jake and the Beck Redden team drafted several early dispositive motions, including obtaining a successful partial dismissal ruling on some of the asserted claims. This ruling eventually played a role in a favorable settlement of the matter.
-
Honors & Awards
- Named in The Best Lawyers in America: Ones to Watch in Product Liability Litigation – Defendants, 2024
-
Professional Activities & Memberships
- Houston Bar Association
- American Bar Association
- Texas Association of Defense Counsel (TADC)
- Defense Research Institute (DRI)
September 5, 2022
August 8, 2023