Texas Civil Litigation Lawyers

Civil Litigation

770 South Post Oak Lane, 420, Houston, TX 77056

Born and raised in New Orleans, Louisiana, Billy Shepherd is a seasoned and highly-regarded litigator with vast experience trying many different types of cases. He attended the University of Virginia, earning academic honors, and graduated with a B.S. from the University’s McIntire School of Commerce in 1982. He then returned to his native New Orleans and obtained an M.B.A. from Loyola University in 1983, where he also earned academic honors. In 1984, Billy moved to Austin to begin law school at the University of Texas School of Law, where he earned a J.D. with honors in 1987. Billy became licensed to practice law later that year, and moved to Houston to join the trial section of Andrews Kurth LLP. In 1992, Billy and other members of the trial section left Andrews Kurth to form Cruse, Scott, Henderson & Allen, L.L.P., which later became Shepherd, Scott, Clawater & Houston, L.L.P. In 2015, Billy formed Shepherd Prewett PLLC with Matthew Prewett. Throughout his many years of litigation and appellate experience, Billy has cultivated a practice that encompasses a broad range of matters, including representation of attorneys and law firms, large corporations, energy companies, insurance companies, and individuals in various types of disputes. He also often consults on ethical issues facing attorneys and their firms in today’s complicated business climate. In addition to having taught trial advocacy at the University of Houston Law Center, Billy has frequently served as a speaker on legal malpractice and ethics issues. Admitted to practice in various state and federal trial courts, Billy is also admitted to practice before the United States Supreme Court and the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit. He is a member of the American Board of Trial Advocates, the International Association of Defense Counsel, and the Texas Bar Foundation.

Civil Litigation

2323 S Shepherd Dr, Houston, TX 77019, USA

Civil Litigation

77 Sugar Creek Center Blvd, Sugar Land, TX 77478, USA

Civil Litigation

5760 Legacy Drive, Ste. B3448, Haltom City, TX 76137

Mr. Harlan's accomplished career in Legal and Regulatory Affairs started in 1975 and continues to provide the telecommunication industry with articulate and knowledgeable advice and guidance. His accomplishments in providing counsel to Fortune 100 companies, national utilities, and telecommunication companies such as GTE and MCI Worldcom, include the negotiation and drafting of complex interconnection, resale, unbundling, and collocation agreements to implement the Federal Telecommunications Act of 1996, facilitating competitive local exchange carriers' entry into the local market. Mr. Harlan successfully negotiated franchise agreements, right-of-way agreements, dark fiber, swap agreements, leases, licenses, joint construction projects, and other contractual arrangements for the engineering and construction of local and long-distance networks while working for GTE and MCI. During his tenure with MCI, Mr. Harlan served as an Associate Counsel in Law and Public Policy, Litigation/Real Estate and received numerous distinguished awards, including MCI's "MAP Award" for recognition and performance in Law and Public Policy in 1998 and 1999. He helped to develop national and statewide strategies favorable to Franchise and Public Right of Way legislation, including uniform rules and policies regarding franchise issues. He helped to develop and implement statewide rules and regulations for the telecommunications industry in numerous states throughout the U.S. His expertise and recognition in the telecom and real estate law industry provided invitations for him to serve as a panelist and guest speaker on many prominent industry-related committees and associations. Mr. Harlan is also a published author on legal issues regarding his experience with the application and interpretation of the Telecommunication Act of 1996 and various State Telecommunication Acts. His previous State's Legislature employment and his multi-year appointment to the Iowa Department of Agriculture as the Assistant Secretary of Agriculture/Director of Regulatory Division, further speaks to his legal and regulatory experience and accomplishments. After serving full-time active duty in the United States Air Force, Mr. Harlan earned his Bachelor of Arts, Cum Laude degree in 1970, his Master of Arts degree in 1971 and his Doctor of Jurisprudence in 1974.

Civil Litigation

6900 Boulevard 26, Ste B, North Richland Hills, TX 76180

Mr. Harlan's accomplished career in Legal and Regulatory Affairs started in 1975 and continues to provide the telecommunication industry with articulate and knowledgeable advice and guidance. His accomplishments in providing counsel to Fortune 100 companies, national utilities, and telecommunication companies such as GTE and MCI Worldcom, include the negotiation and drafting of complex interconnection, resale, unbundling, and collocation agreements to implement the Federal Telecommunications Act of 1996, facilitating competitive local exchange carriers' entry into the local market. Mr. Harlan successfully negotiated franchise agreements, right-of-way agreements, dark fiber, swap agreements, leases, licenses, joint construction projects, and other contractual arrangements for the engineering and construction of local and long-distance networks while working for GTE and MCI. During his tenure with MCI, Mr. Harlan served as an Associate Counsel in Law and Public Policy, Litigation/Real Estate and received numerous distinguished awards, including MCI's "MAP Award" for recognition and performance in Law and Public Policy in 1998 and 1999. He helped to develop national and statewide strategies favorable to Franchise and Public Right of Way legislation, including uniform rules and policies regarding franchise issues. He helped to develop and implement statewide rules and regulations for the telecommunications industry in numerous states throughout the U.S. His expertise and recognition in the telecom and real estate law industry provided invitations for him to serve as a panelist and guest speaker on many prominent industry-related committees and associations. Mr. Harlan is also a published author on legal issues regarding his experience with the application and interpretation of the Telecommunication Act of 1996 and various State Telecommunication Acts. His previous State's Legislature employment and his multi-year appointment to the Iowa Department of Agriculture as the Assistant Secretary of Agriculture/Director of Regulatory Division, further speaks to his legal and regulatory experience and accomplishments. After serving full-time active duty in the United States Air Force, Mr. Harlan earned his Bachelor of Arts, Cum Laude degree in 1970, his Master of Arts degree in 1971 and his Doctor of Jurisprudence in 1974.