Clayton C. Cannon

With 20 years of experience in construction and business litigation, Clayton C. Cannon joined Adams and Reese in 2011 as Special Counsel in the firm's Houston office.

For three consecutive years, Clayton has been honored among Texas Super Lawyers in construction litigation and business litigation.

His practice includes the litigation of commercial and residential construction cases, numerous types of commercial disputes, employment disputes and defense of personal injuries. He also handles issues related to foundations, roofing and roofing materials, windows, brick and siding claims as well as construction payment disputes. In construction law, resolving disputes requires a solid understanding of construction techniques, building design, and the interplay between owners, contractors, subcontractors, and designers. Clayton has experience in all areas of construction claims, which helps clients resolve their legal construction issues.

In addition to construction law, he has experience in complex insurance coverage litigation and international litigation. He has tried numerous jury trials, bench trials and arbitrations. Clayton has handled appellate matters and argued cases before the Texas Courts of Appeals and the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit.

Some of Clayton's representative case experience includes:

• Jury verdict for a business owner against the general contractor who built the owner’s new commercial building where the building’s foundation failed within a few years of construction due to improper site preparations.
• Arbitration award for an apartment real estate developer/owner against its roofing subcontractor who failed to properly install the roofs on over ten apartment buildings in one complex, resulting in leaks and shingles being blown off of the roofs.
• Bench trial victory involving a unilateral mistake defense on behalf of a real estate purchaser sued by a real estate broker who claimed entitlement to a commission following the purchaser’s acquisition of a $2 million home.
• Arbitration award against a real estate developer/builder for failing to properly construct the stucco exterior on town homes.

For the last eight years, he has served as the co-chair and presenter for several construction law conferences for the University of Texas School of Law. Clayton has practiced law in Houston since he graduated from The University of Houston Law Center in 1991. He earned his Bachelor of Business Administration for Texas A&M in 1988.

Among the people Clayton most admires is Nobel Peace Prize winner and theologian Albert Schweitzer. In his spare time, Clayton enjoys cooking, wine collecting, following Texas A&M sports, teaching Sunday School at Chapelwood United Methodist Church and spending time with his wife and two children.

Reported Cases

• Gateway Logistics Group, Inc. v. Dangerous Goods Management Australia Pty, Ltd., H-05-2742, 2006 WL 314441 (S.D. Tex. filed May 31, 2006)
• Wilson v. Barcella, 284 Fed. Appx. 210 (S.D. Tex. July 10, 2008)
• Campus Document Sys. v. Oce Fin. Servs., Civil Action H-08-1462, 2008 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 93511 (S.D. Tex. Nov. 17, 2008)
• In re Enron Corp. Secs, Derivative & ERISA Litig., MDL 1446, (S.D. Tex. filed Dec. 10, 2007)
• Boss Mgmt. Servs. v. Acceptance Ins. Co., 2007 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 69666 (S.D. Tex. Sep. 19, 2007)
• Amerisure Ins. Co. v. C-Cure Corp., 2004 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 30689 (S.D. Tex. filed Aug. 17, 2004)
• Newby v. Enron Corp., 338 F.3d 467 (5th Cir. 2003)
• Olmos v. Pecan Grove Mun. Util. Dist., 857 S.W.2d 734 (Tex. App.--Houston [14th Dist.] 1993)
• St. Paul Mercury Ins. Co. v. Lexington Ins. Co., 78 F.3d 202 (5th Cir. 1996)
• Mustang Tractor & Equip. Co. v. Liberty Mut. Ins. Co., 76 F.3d 89 (5th Cir. 1996)

Presentations & Seminars

• "The Importance of the Tenant Work Letter," State Bar of Texas 22nd Annual Advanced Real Estate Drafting Course (March 2011)
• "Damages in Construction Litigation: Current Issues and Case Law," Construction Law Conference, University of Texas School of Law, Dallas (September 2010)
• Construction Law Conference, University of Texas School of Law, Houston (January 2009), Co-Chair and Presenter
• Construction Law Conference, University of Texas School of Law, Dallas (October 2007), Co-Chair
• "The Texas Residential Construction Commission Act: A Current Perspective," South Texas College of Law Real Estate Law Conference, Houston (June 2007)
• "Construction Law and Litigation: A Guide for Attorneys, Engineers, and Architects," University of Texas School of Law, Houston (September 2006)
• "The Texas Residential Construction Commission Act: What the Homeowner's Attorney Needs to Know," Residential and Construction Law Conference, University of Texas School of Law, Dallas (October 2005)
• "The Texas Residential Construction Commission Act: What the Homeowner's Attorney Needs to Know," Construction Law Conference, University of Texas School of Law, Houston (October 2004)
• "Homeowner's Insurance Coverage for Construction Defect Claims," Construction Defects and Insurance Coverage in Texas Seminar, Lorman Education Services, Houston (May 2004)
• "Liability Insurance Coverage For Construction Defect Claims," Construction Defects and Insurance Coverage in Texas Seminar, Lorman Education Services, Houston (May 2004)
• "Claims Against General Contractors and Subcontractors: The Blame Game Residential Construction Law Seminar," University of Texas School of Law, Dallas September 2003)
• "Tort Reform: Where Are We and How Did We Get Here?," Garland Walker Inn of Court (November 2003)
• "Residential Construction Law Seminar, University of Texas School of Law, Dallas (September 2003)