For the past several years, Leonard's practice has focused on providing legal representation to several municipalities as their City Attorney. In this venue, he provides a vast number of legal services covering all of the concerns a city administration might have, including contract drafting and review, drafting of ordinances, purchase of construction equipment and real estate, ensuring statutory
and regulatory compliance and representation of the city’s interest in civil lawsuits. Leonard also served as the Assistant District Attorney for Galveston County in Texas. In this role, he prosecuted both felony and misdemeanor criminal cases and honed his litigation skills with significant time before a judge and jury. He is also responsible for litigation brought by or against the cities he represents, often managing teams of attorneys brought in specifically for each case. In this way, he keeps his litigation skills fresh. His criminal and civil litigation trial experience allows him to give practical and timely advice to clients in civil matters, including business litigation, contracts, breach of contracts, collections, elections, and economic development. In addition to practicing law, he has intstructed business students on ethics and business law as an adjunct professor at two universities. Recent Matters Handled Include:
■ As City Attorney, obtained jury verdict of $324,000 damages in breach of contract and breach of fiduciary case against Chamber of Commerce regarding management of Hotel Occupancy Tax Funds
■ Successfully defended city in inverse condemnation case brought by private property owner.
■ Negotiated and guided client in sale of natural gas system.
■ Obtained summary judgment against Plaintiff for corporation on breach of contract case regarding letter of intent to purchase real property.
■ Assisted clients in employment matters including managing outside attorneys to defend wrongful termination claims.
■ Assisted corporations in collections of outstanding receivables.
“When you need the law to right a wrong, you need experience in your corner”. His expanded practice includes litigation and health care administrative law.
