Melanie J. Cogburn

Ms. Cogburn has over 20 years’ experience in general business and real estate litigation, including disputes related to real property and real estate transactions, “business divorce,” agent/broker liability, commercial leasing, construction defects, land use, code enforcement, breach of contract, insurance bad faith, DTPA, breach of fiduciary duty, copyright and trademark infringement, theft of trade secrets, and representation of creditors in bankruptcy. She also serves as outside general counsel to clients, negotiating agreements and providing risk management. While a seasoned litigator, Ms. Cogburn strives to guide clients to early dispute resolution whenever possible. Prior to working in private practice, she spent several years as the first staff attorney to the Honorable Judge John Dietz of the 250th District Court of Travis County, gaining invaluable experience in how cases are tried at the state court level before the bench and juries. She then went to work for an Austin litigation boutique, litigating commercial disputes in state and federal court as well as in arbitration, handling all aspects of cases from initial complaint to final appeal. Her recent experience includes a focus on real estate litigation, including commercial lease disputes, water code violations/drainage disputes, disputes over easements and dedications, and construction. Additionally, Ms. Cogburn routinely uses her expertise to assist in closings of complicated real estate transactions where properties have become enmeshed in different types of litigation. Ms. Cogburn practice will focus on real estate litigation, land use and land use litigation, business disputes, and business litigation.

• Of Counsel

• Judge John K. Dietz, 250th District Court, Travis County, Texas, Staff Attorney

• Texas, 1996

• State Bar of Texas (Member)
• Travis County Bar Association, 1998 - 2001 (Member, Bench-Bar Committee)
• Austin Young Lawyers Association (Member)