Kevin Terrazas
kterrazas@clevelandterrazas.com
512-680-3257

Kevin Terrazas has successfully represented clients in a wide range of complex disputes, including jury trials, arbitrations, and appeals from Texas County Courts at Law and Probate Courts to the United States Supreme Court.  Both Board Certified in Civil Appellate Law and registered to practice before the Patent and Trademark Office, Kevin focuses his practice on trials and appeals involving intellectual property, contracts, employment, torts, constitutional law, antitrust, and other commercial matters. 

An honors graduate of both Harvard Law School and West Point, Kevin served in the United States Army during Operation Iraqi Freedom for which he was awarded the Bronze Star Medal.  Kevin also clerked for the Honorable Priscilla R. Owen of the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit and is a graduate of the U.S. Army's Ranger, Airborne, and Air Assault schools.  Prior to co-founding Cleveland | Terrazas, Kevin was a partner at Weisbart Springer Hayes LLP and Yetter Coleman LLP. 

Representative Cases
  • Successfully obtained summary judgment for breach of settlement agreement involving partnership dispute in commercial property management business.
  • Successfully obtained favorable judgment after four-day bench trial involving breach of partnership agreement in automotive industry.
  • Successfully reversed TCPA ruling that resulted in multiple claims being dismissed by Third Court of Appeals in breach of contract and misappropriation of trade secrets case.
  • Secured dismissal of multiple defendants in federal court involving trademark and copyright claims.
  • Successfully obtained Temporary Restraining Order in breach of commercial lease agreement that led to favorable settlement and complete relief for client.
  • Successfully obtained declaratory judgment and permanent injunction after bench trial against governmental entity based on violations of the Texas Constitution.
  • Secured favorable settlement after 2-day arbitration involving life insurance dispute.
  • Successfully obtained jury verdict in breach of contract action involving development of innovative technologies against engineering firm. 
  • Successfully reversed Anti-SLAPP ruling that resulted in Third Court of Appeals dismissing 7 of 8 claims in tortious interference, conversion, and defamation suit.
  • Successfully tried breach of contract action before Texas State jury related to guaranty agreement that resulted in one of 100 top verdicts in Texas in 2016. 
  • Secured arbitration award in breach of non-compete action on behalf of multi-million dollar flooring company.
  • Successfully defended an Oklahoma utility against patent infringement, resulting in a summary judgment of non-infringement. 
  • Secured reversal of Anti-SLAPP denial involving breach of contract and misappropriation of trade secrets case that resulted in majority of claims being dismissed.
  • Successfully prosecuted a claim under the Texas Securities Act for individual against Austin manufacturer. 
  • Secured order from appellate court that served to moot TRO.
  • Represented international media company in multiple employment related issues including securing Delaware federal injunction related to violations of non-competition agreement.
  • Tried an employer discrimination suit in federal district court, which resulted in significant changes to proposed consent decree.
  • Secured affirmation of denial of TCPA ruling involving defamation claim.
  • Successfully reversed summary judgment in Sixth Court of Appeals involving breach of contract, fraud, and tortious interference claims for automotive dealerships.
  • Secured take nothing judgment on claims of personal injury involving power plant construction company.
  • Successfully represented Texas Attorney General in election dispute, resulting in take-nothing judgment.
  • Successfully defended international corporation in FLSA collective action suit.
  • Defended an international corporation against a non-practicing entity in a patent infringement suit involving smart grid technology, including successfully arguing Markman hearing.
  • Secured dismissal of securities class action concerning merger of technology company. Represented international mining company in Texas Supreme Court concerning evident partiality of arbitrator.
  • Successfully represented association of firefighters in defense of hiring processes against Title VII challenge.
  • Represented a steel service center for pre-trial matters in antitrust dispute that was later tried to a $156 million judgment.
  • Argued contract dispute before the Fifth Circuit that resulted in vacatur and remand of bankruptcy court judgment due to lack of constitutional authority.
  • Successfully represented minority shareholders of Austin-based health foods provider in dispute over ownership.
  • Defended trial court’s order on mandamus before the Federal Circuit in a patent infringement suit over a device installed on an oil and gas rig.
  • Twice successfully argued a voting rights dispute before the Fifth Circuit resulting in vacatur of the district court’s injunctive orders.
  • Successfully represented victim of constitutional rights violations caused by a municipal employee.
  • Represented institutional investors as amicus curiae in United States Supreme Court in support of winning side for securities litigation matter under the PSLRA.
  • Successfully represented executives in Title VII and §1983 discrimination case involving promotion practices of municipal fire department.
  • Successfully represented a large manufacturer of wireless devices in a patent infringement suit concerning Bluetooth technology.
  • Represented individual in wrongful termination suit against non-profit employer that resulted in favorable settlement.
  • Successfully represented medical device patent holders before the Federal Circuit in a dispute over an Inter Partes Reexamination.
  • Represented association of district attorneys as amicus curiae in United States Supreme Court for case involving municipal liability for Brady violations

Education & Professional Background
  J.D., Harvard Law School, cum laude
  B.S. Chemistry/Life Science, United States Military Academy, Distinguished Cadet
  Law Clerk, Judge Priscilla R. Owen, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit
  Captain, Field Artillery, United States Army, 1999-2004
  Adjunct Professor, Northeastern University, 2013-15
  U.S. Army Ranger, Airborne, and Air Assault Schools - Graduate
  Registered to practice before the Patent and Trademark Office

Honors






Professional Activities
& Memberships
Austin Under 40, Finalist 2015, 2017 (Legal)
Board Certified, Civil Appellate Law, Texas Board of Legal Specialization
Texas Rising Stars, 2013-2017, Thompson Reuters Legal
Top 40 Under 40 Military Class of 2012, Civilian Job News
Fellow, Texas Bar Foundation
Fellow, Austin Bar Foundation
Harry S. Truman Scholar
Immediate Past Chair, Board of Directors, American Red Cross of Central and South Texas
Immediate Past President, Hispanic Bar Association of Austin; Treasurer, 2013-2016
Barrister, Calvert Inn of Court
Secretary, West Point Society of Central Texas
Elder, Southwest Bible Church
Former Council Member, Austin Bar Association Appellate Section