Matthew S. Cire

Matthew S. Cire

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Houston Construction and Real Estate Attorney - Matthew S. Cire

Matthew Cire is a commercial litigator whose practice focuses primarily on real estate and construction matters, in addition to various commercial disputes across Texas. Matthew represents a diverse group of clients across several industries, including real estate development, property management, construction, energy and design. He has successfully represented clients in matters related to breach of contract, business-related torts, employment disputes, construction defect claims and enforcement of non-competition agreements. He also has extensive experience representing national multifamily developers and property management companies with operational disputes.

Prior to joining Andrews Myers, Matthew practiced commercial litigation with a boutique business litigation firm in Houston, Texas.  Matthew also served as a judicial intern for the Honorable Lynn N. Hughes in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas.

Areas of Practice

  • Commercial Litigation
  • Construction Litigation
  • Real Estate

Bar and Court Admissions

  • Texas
  • U.S. District Court, Eastern and Southern Districts of Texas

Representative Experience

  • Represented judgement creditor and successfully garnished the main operating account of the judgement debtor in full satisfaction of client’s debt
  • Prosecuted complex mineral and mechanic’s lien claim resulting in client’s recovery of a substantial amount of unpaid invoices
  • Defended business owner in breach of contract claim, negotiated terms for a consignment agreement that allowed client to recoup large majority of its damages
  • Successfully defended real estate management company against residents breach of contract claim resulting in take nothing judgement for residents and full award of client’s attorney’s fees and costs
  • Represented commercial tenant asserting claims against property owner for rent abatement. As part of a favorable settlement, the client received over a year in free rent and CAM charges
  • Successfully defended residential homebuilder against homeowner’s Residential Construction Liability Act (RCLA) claims, resulting in American Arbitration Association awarded partial motion for summary judgement related to homeowner’s fraud claims.
  • Represented real estate Investment Company against competitor’s claim of breach of non-competition agreement. As part of a favorable settlement, client avoided payment of liquidated damages asserted by competitor
  • Successfully defended real estate developer against engineering firm’s constitutional lien claim, resulting in court awarded motion to dismiss, compensation of attorneys’ fees and removal of the lien
  • Represented national multifamily management company in a lawsuit involving various breach of contract violations, which resulted in a unanimous jury verdict
  • Obtained summary judgment on behalf of purchaser of a multifamily apartment complex community in a lawsuit involving seller’s refusal to pay ad valorem taxes
  • Defended national multifamily owners and management companies against a non-profit in several disputes filed before the Texas Workforce Commission, which resulted in dismissal of all complaints after successfully arguing non-profit lacked standing
  • Successfully represented national multifamily management company in an administrative action against a city water utility for reimbursement of improper overcharges for water usage
  • Successfully represented national owners and management companies in bench trials and jury trials across Texas involving residential and commercial disputes
  • Defended national owners and management companies in numerous residential and commercial lawsuits involving breach of contract claims, business related tort claims, DTPA claims and discrimination lawsuits
  • Represented local construction company in Texas state court involving breach of contract claims and construction defect claims
  • Represented utility subcontractor in settlement of claims against homebuilder for unpaid fees in connection with the installation of residential drainage and utility systems

Education

  • South Texas College of Law, Houston, Texas
    • J.D. – 2014
    • Officer, South Texas Board of Advocates
    • Articles Editor, Texas Journal of Business Law
  • The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas
    • B.A. – 2010

Professional Associations and Memberships

  • Institute of Real Estate Management (IREM), Houston Chapter
  • Building Owners and Managers Association (BOMA), Houston Chapter
  • NAIOP Commercial Real Estate Development Association
  • Houston Apartment Association
  • National Apartment Association
  • Houston Business Realty Coalition
  • Urban Land Institute
  • State Bar of Texas
  • Houston Bar Association, Real Estate Section
  • Houston Bar Association, Construction Law Section
  • Houston Bar Association, Litigation Section
  • American Bar Association
  • Houston Young Lawyers Association

Speeches and Publications

  • “Legislative Update – Texas’ Firearm Carry Act of 2021,” Houston Institute of Real Estate Management, August 2021
  • “Texas Lien Law & Collections,” North Texas Roofing Contractors Association, Dallas, Texas, November 2020
  • “Before a Lawsuit Happens,” Webinar with Institute of Real Estate Management, July 2020
  • Industry Experts on the State of CRE,” AM Monthly Law Alert, June 2020
  • The CARES Act and Multifamily,” AM Law Alert, April 2020
  • Don’t Trash Where you Splash” AM Monthly Law Alert, January 2020
  • Understanding Mineral Liens,” AM Monthly Law Alert, October 2019
  • “Texas Lien Law & Collections,” North Texas Roofing Contractors Association, Dallas, Texas, October 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
  • “Leasing 101,” Houston Apartment Association, 2016-2018
  • “Certified Apartment Manager Legal Responsibility,” Houston Apartment Association Seminar, 2017
  • Mock Trial educational seminar, Houston Apartment Association, 2017

Professional Recognition

  • The Best Lawyers in Texas ® by Woodward/White Inc. “Ones to Watch” in Litigation – Construction, 2023
  • “Texas Rising Star,” as presented by Super Lawyers, a Thomson Reuters Business, in Texas Monthly, Since 2020
  • Houston’s Top Lawyers – Real Estate, Houstonia Magazine, Since 2020