Lance C. Arney
Lance Arney has worked more than twenty-five years on a wide range of civil litigation matters in state and federal courts, at the trial and appellate levels, and in arbitration forums.
In his representation of plaintiffs, Lance has successfully obtained several significant judgments, awards, and settlements for investors, underpaid employees, and business owners. Lance also handles complex commercial disputes in litigation and arbitration.
Lance’s attention to detail, grasp of the facts and legal analysis are unparalleled. In securities fraud cases, Lance carefully analyzes the client’s goals and financial circumstances and the appropriateness of the particular investment product or strategy involved. He handles securities cases of all types, including those involving stocks, variable annuities, mutual funds, foreign exchange trading, options, REITs, and oil and gas limited partnerships. Lance is experienced in the FINRA arbitration process and has tried numerous cases to a final award.
Lance frequently represents employees, partners, or shareholders who have been denied compensation or profits or were otherwise treated wrongfully. These cases typically involve extensive contractual and financial analysis and complicated legal issues. He has extensive experience researching, briefing, and arguing difficult legal issues in trial and appellate courts.
Lance also routinely defends commercial litigation and arbitration cases on behalf of businesses and individuals. When defending a case, Lance first takes the time to understand the client’s circumstances and goals. He and the client then agree on a plan that will maximize effectiveness while limiting costs. Lance understands defending litigation can be stressful and expensive for a client. He strives to minimize the client’s burden by achieving a favorable resolution in the most efficient way possible.
Representative Cases and Experience
- Won over $1.375 million from UBS in a FINRA award following a one-week arbitration for a client invested in the Yield Enhancement Strategy options trading program.
- Represented a subcontractor defendant in a month-long AAA construction arbitration, resulting in an award of no damages against the client.
- Obtained summary judgment in Nevada District Court dismissing federal RICO lawsuit claiming $60+ million against Houston-based business client, affirmed on appeal to the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals.
- Successfully defended Austin, Texas financial advisor from claimed $800,000 in damages after 5-day FINRA arbitration, obtaining an award denying claimants’ claims in their entirety.
- In a case of first impression, obtained an opinion from the Fourteenth District Court of Appeals (Houston) interpreting the 5-year statute of limitations for sex abuse victims, reversing summary judgment entered against the plaintiff in the trial court.
- Negotiated and closed Asset Purchase/Sale Agreement and related documents for multimillion dollar sale of Houston area client’s financial services practice.
- Representation of numerous partners in “business divorce” situations, including litigation and the negotiation of buy outs (representing both selling partners and buying partners).
- Representation of investors in claims against brokerage firms for more than 20 years, including several contested arbitration awards and seven-figure settlements.
- Representation of financial advisors in regulatory investigations/proceedings, including numerous cases where investigation closed without action.
- Co-counsel in Fair Labor Standards Act cases in McAllen, Texas, resulting in court-approved settlement over $1 million.
Contact
Admissions
State Bar of Texas
United States District Court for the Southern and Eastern Districts of Texas and the District of New Mexico
United States Courts of Appeal for the Fifth and Ninth Circuits
Education
Princeton University, A.B., cum laude
University of Texas School of Law, J.D., with honors
–Texas Law Review, Associate Editor –Order of the Coif
Affiliations and Honors
Public Investors Arbitration Bar Association
Houston Trial Lawyers Association
Houston Trial Lawyers Foundation, Board Member, Secretary
Houston Bar Association Securities Litigation & Arbitration Section, Chair Elect
Texas Bar Foundation, Life Fellow