Texas Trial Attorney - Bret Rycroft
Bret Rycroft is a distinguished litigator specializing in complex real estate, business, and construction disputes. Board Certified in both Commercial and Residential Real Estate Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization, Bret brings unparalleled expertise to complex disputes across Texas state and federal courts.
Bret adeptly navigates real estate litigation matters including property disputes, lease conflicts, and contract violations. His comprehensive understanding of Texas real estate law enables him to provide strategic counsel to a diverse clientele, from national multifamily developers to property management firms and individual property owners alike.
Bret has a proven track record of successfully resolving high-stakes business litigation disputes. He skillfully represents clients in cases involving breach of contract, business torts, and the enforcement of non-competition agreements. His representation spans multiple industries, including various Texas-based enterprises, energy, oil and gas, and general commerce.
His construction litigation practice encompasses a broad spectrum of issues, from defect claims to contract disputes. Representing contractors, subcontractors, and project owners, Bret leverages his technical understanding of the construction industry to achieve favorable outcomes.
Bret honed his litigation skills in both commercial litigation and criminal defense cases at prominent Houston law firms before joining Andrews Myers. His diverse background, which includes serving on the trial team for Roger Clemens in Washington, D.C., has equipped him with a unique perspective and adaptable litigation strategies.
Committed to professional excellence, Bret Rycroft consistently delivers results that safeguard his clients’ interests and advance their strategic goals in the complex landscapes of real estate, business, and construction law.
Areas of Practice
- Real Estate Litigation
- Business Litigation
- Construction Litigation
- Real Estate
- Shareholder Disputes
Bar and Court Admissions
- Texas
- U.S. District Court, Southern District of Texas
Representative Experience
Real Estate Litigation:
- Successfully represented national owners and property management companies in hundreds of bench trials and numerous jury trials across Texas involving residential and commercial real estate disputes
- Secured a jury trial victory against a contractor who misappropriated funds from a national developer
- Negotiated a favorable settlement in a condemnation matter against a national pipeline company, securing increased compensation for the landowner
- Resolved complex property right issues in easement disputes
- Represented clients in partition disputes, effectively dividing jointly owned properties
- Successfully defended a developer against adverse possession claims, preserving rightful ownership
- Defended national owners and property management companies against breach of contract allegations, business-related tort claims, DTPA claims, and discrimination claims
- Represented owners and national property management companies in multiple complaints before the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, Texas Workforce Commission, and City of Austin Fair Housing Department
- Defended national management company in discrimination and fair housing lawsuit in U.S. District Court, Southern District of Texas
Business Litigation:
- Successfully prosecuted breach of contract claim for Fortune 500 material supply company
- Defended Fortune 500 property management company in personal injury claims
- Successfully resolved shareholder disputes, preserving business continuity and stakeholder interests
- Represented numerous oil and gas companies in disputes with service companies
- Successfully defended national management company against claims of Fair Debt Collection Practices Act violations in U.S. District Court, Southern District of Texas
Construction Litigation:
- Successfully handled numerous AAA arbitration disputes for contractors and national companies
- Represented numerous general contractors, subcontractors, and suppliers in collection claims with foreclosure of mechanic’s and materialman’s liens and mineral property liens
- Defended subcontractor in U.S. District Court, Southern District of Texas against claims involving CERCLA, RCRA, RICO, nuisance, and trespassing
- Successfully prosecuted claims for subcontractors and suppliers against general contractors and individual owners for violating the Texas Construction Trust Fund Statute
- Defended Texas custom home builders in RCLA claims for construction defects
Alternative Dispute Resolution:
- Defended general contractor in AAA arbitration for termination claims
- Successfully prosecuted subcontractors’ breach of contract claims against general contractors and owners in AAA arbitration
- Successfully assisted individuals in RCLA cases against home builders
Additional Experience:
- Defended real estate developer in Texas state court for felony water pollution charges
Education
- South Texas College of Law, Houston, Texas
- J.D. – 2011
- The University of Texas, Austin, Texas
- B.A. – 2008
- Texas Crew Rowing Team
Certified Legal Specialties
Board Certified in Commercial Real Estate Law, Texas Board of Legal Specialization
Board Certified in Residential Real Estate Law, Texas Board of Legal Specialization
Professional Recognition
- Benchmark Litigation, 40 & Under List, 2024
- “Texas Rising Star,” as presented by Super Lawyers, a Thomson Reuters Business, in Texas Monthly, Since 2017
- Recognized as a “Top Lawyer,” Houstonia magazine, January 2020
- Listed in The Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® in America for Commercial Litigation, Construction Law and Litigation – Construction, 2021 Edition
- Listed in The Best Lawyers in America® for Litigation – Real Estate, Since 2024
Professional Associations and Memberships
- State Bar of Texas
- Litigation Section
- Construction Law Section
- Houston Bar Association
- Litigation Section
- Real Estate Section
- Construction Law Section
- Houston Young Lawyers Association
- Habitat for Humanity Committee
- Garland Walker Inns of Court
- Texas Trial Lawyers Association
- Houston Apartment Association
- Texas Apartment Association
- National Apartment Association
- Associated Builders and Contractors, Greater Houston Chapter
Speeches and Publications
- “Easement Disputes,” Advanced Real Estate Conference by Texas State Bar, July 2023
- “Artificial Intelligence Application in Legal Industry,” Institute of Real Estate Management
- “Eviction Moratorium Extension,” AM Monthly Law Alert, December 2020
- “Top Things Property Managers Can do to Protect Themselves against COVID-19 Lawsuits,” AM Monthly Law Alert, August 2020
- “Before a Lawsuit Happens,” Institute of Real Estate Management, July 2020
- “Chaos and Opportunity,” U.S. Department of Commerce, Minority Business Development, June 2020
- “Texas Lien Law & Collections,” North Texas Roofing Contractors Association, Dallas, Texas, October 2019
- “New Firearm Legislation”, AM Monthly Law Alert, June 2019
- Mock Trial educational seminar, Associated Builders and Contractors Leadership Forum, April 2019
- (Contributing Author) Recent Court Opinions Concerning Construction Law, The Change Order, State Bar of Texas Construction Law Section, March 2019
- “Is Fido Allowed? And Should Fido be Allowed?”, AM Monthly Law Alert, October 2018
- “Fair Housing,” AM Monthly Law Alert, 2018
- “Generational Age Gap,” Houston Bar Association Continuing Legal Education, April 2018
- Blue Star Program, Houston Apartment Association, 2017
- Mock Trial, Houston Apartment Association, 2017
- “Certified Apartment Manager,” Houston Apartment Association, 2016 & 2017
- “Leasing 101,” Houston Apartment Association, Annual Presentation, 2015 – Present
