As a member of Haynes and Boone's appellate section, Christina Crozier focuses her practice on her two professional passions: working with trial teams and writing. At the trial level, Ms. Crozier authors dispositive motions and jury charges, presents arguments at hearings, and ensures post-verdict error preservation. Ms. Crozier also practices regularly in appellate courts, drafting briefs that tell her clients' stories clearly and persuasively. Her appellate work has included cases in the Texas courts of appeals, the Texas Supreme Court, and the Fifth Circuit. Recently, Ms. Crozier's work has earned her recognition as a "Rising Star" in appellate law by Texas Monthly.
Ms. Crozier's practice spans a wide range of areas, from business litigation, to constitutional law, to personal injury. Ms. Crozier also writes often about arbitration-related litigation, an area that has evolved rapidly in recent years.
As a part of her practice, Ms. Crozier:
- Authors winning briefs and mandamus petitions in appellate courts;
- Assists trial teams with all aspects of the jury charge, including drafting, preparing objections, and arguing the charge conference;
- Drafts motions in trial courts, such as motions for summary judgment, motions for judgment notwithstanding the verdict, and motions for new trial; and
- Presents arguments before trial courts on key legal issues.
Professional Recognition
- Selected for inclusion in Texas Super Lawyers - Rising Stars Edition (2010)
- Co-Author, "Arbitration-Related Litigation in Texas," 29 CORPORATE COUNSEL REV. 1 (2010)
- Co-Author, "Significant 2009-10 'Arbitrability' Cases in Federal Appellate Courts," American Bar Association Section of Business Law 2010 Annual Meeting (August 2010)
- Author, "Estoppel Doctrine Allows Arbitration Provisions To Be Enforced By and Against Non-Signatories," The Houston Lawyer (July/August 2008)
- Co-Author, "Risky Business: Altering the Scope of Judicial Review of Arbitration Awards by Contract," Texas Bar Journal (October 2006)
- Speaker, "Appellate Case Update," Houston Bar Association Appellate Section Meeting (July 2006)
Professional Leadership
- Young Leader, United Way of Greater Houston (2007-2010)
- Committee Chair, Association of Women Attorneys (2008)
- Firm Liaison, Adopt-an-Angel Committee, Houston Young Lawyers Association (2007-2008)
Selected Representative Experience
Big Dog Logistics, Inc. v. Strategic Impact Corp., No. 14-07-00892-CV (Tex. App.-Houston [14th Dist.] March 30, 2010)
In an appeal following a jury trial, obtained reversal of a $2.2 million judgment for alleged breach of a commissions contract between a marketing consultant and our client, a Houston-based company that provides services and solutions to manufacturers, distributors, and shippers with unique logistics needs. The court held there was no evidence that our client entered into the agreement the jury found had been breached.
Atlas Petroleum Exploration Worldwide, Ltd. v. SeaWolf Oilfield Services, Ltd., No. 2009-04336 (127th Dist. Ct., Harris County, Tex.)
Successfully defended a $27 million default judgment against a Nigerian national and a Nigerian oilfield services company by defeating the defendants' special appearances and motion for new trial.
Union Pacific Railroad Co. v. Legg, No. 03-07-00512-CV, 2009 WL 2476636 (Tex. App. - Austin Aug. 12, 2009, no pet.) (mem. op.)
Prepared pre- and post-trial motions, then successfully defended a judgment on a favorable jury verdict in a railroad crossing collision case, defeating the plaintiffs' challenges to the sufficiency of the evidence and their attack on the trial court's refusal to strike venire members for cause.
Ibarra v. Baker, No. 08-20220, 338 Fed. App'x 457, 2009 WL 2244659 (5th Cir. July 28, 2009)
Persuaded the Fifth Circuit to vacate a district court's findings that two attorneys engaged in misconduct by giving or abiding false testimony.
Kansas City Southern Railway Co. v. Missouri Pacific Railroad, No. 09-06-00255-CV, 2008 WL 2759084 (Tex. App.-Beaumont July 17, 2008, pet. denied) (mem. op.)
Successfully defended on appeal a judgment holding that no indemnity obligation arose from a trackage rights agreement between two railroads.
Shrewsbury v. Union Pacific Railroad Co., No. 2007-4723 (327th Dist. Ct., El Paso County, Tex.)
Obtained summary judgment in a bill of review proceeding, defeating a challenge to a favorable default judgment.
Pintail Production Co. v. Osprey Petroleum Co., Nos. 13-06-069-CV, 13-06-151-CV, 2006 WL 1030150 (Tex. App. - Corpus Christi Apr. 20, 2006, no pet.) (mem. op.)
In an oil and gas dispute, obtained dismissal of an accelerated appeal and a related petition for writs of injunction and mandamus.