Walker S. Young

At Henry Hill, our team takes pride in protecting clients against unfair trial outcomes—and our recent win in MCO Management, LLC v. Fortress Iron, LP is a prime example.

The Case at a Glance

Attorneys Byron K. Henry and Walker Steven Young successfully obtained a reversal in the Fifth District Court of Appeals in a long-running commercial lease dispute out of Dallas County. The trial court had previously awarded Fortress Iron over $190,000 in alleged damages and nearly $180,000 in attorney’s fees after a bench trial—a combined judgment of more than $370,000 against our client.

The Appeal

On appeal, Byron and Walker demonstrated that the tenant’s damages evidence was legally insufficient, relying only on conclusory testimony and unsupported estimates. The Dallas Court of Appeals agreed, ruling that there was no competent evidence to support Fortress Iron’s damages or attorney’s fees. The Court reversed the trial court’s decision in its entirety, rendering judgment that Fortress Iron take nothing.

Why This Matters

This victory highlights Henry Hill’s strength in complex commercial litigation. By carefully dissecting the evidentiary record and applying controlling precedent from both the Texas Supreme Court and Dallas Court of Appeals, our team eliminated a substantial financial burden for our client.

The decision also reinforces a critical principle for Texas businesses and property owners: damages must be proven with reasonable certainty. The ruling provides clear guidance for both landlords and tenants on evidentiary burdens in lease disputes—clarifying that estimates and assumptions aren’t enough.

Our Commitment

At Henry Hill, we are committed to delivering decisive results for our clients, no matter how complex the case. This appellate victory underscores our ability to protect businesses from significant financial exposure while advancing important principles in Texas law.