Martyn B. Hill

Partner

Martyn B. Hill

Partner

Martyn B. Hill PDH Law

713-951-0160

mhill@pdhlaw.com

Martyn B. Hill has been a named Partner of PDH since its formation. Marty manages the Litigation Section of PDH. Marty has served, and continues serving, as an advisor to multiple director boards, as well as their reporting officers, often in an outside general counsel role. Marty’s advice is based upon his experience as a trial lawyer and counselor for more than 25 years. Rather than learn from only his experiences and mistakes, he also focuses on absorbing the experiences and thoughts of clients, other successful business people, attorneys, experts, accounting and investment professionals. While he absolutely protects client confidences, a client’s “new” problem is often new only to such client. Marty works hard to resolve problems without litigation.

Much of Marty’s practice focuses on high net-worth individuals and their businesses, people who often started with little and built their business over many years. Marty has partnered with its clients in that long-term growth process. Marty’s intense loyalty to his clients’ goals, within the legal and economic realities presented, separates Marty from many other lawyers.

University of Houston
J.D. – cum laude, with honors, 1991
University of Houston Law Review, Publishing Editor

Washington & Lee University Law School, Lexington

(1979-1980) Began law school, took sabbatical to work full time for the National Republican Congressional Committee under Congressman Guy Vander Jagt, then left active politics when transferred to U of Houston Law School.

Alma College
B.A., cum laude, with honors, 1979

Practice Areas

Representative Matters

  • Successful defense and recovery of Texas furniture dealer against suit filed by a California furniture manufacturer where a five-week trial was held in Los Angeles and appeal pursued with the California Appellate Court.
  • Successfully defended a drug and alcohol testing firm in multiple jury trials from claims asserted that led to employee terminations.
  • Defense in arbitration before the International Chamber of Commerce and litigation of owner of offshore drill ship against claims by an offshore service provider.
  • Successful settlement of claim asserted against a Texas-based general contractor involving litigation with the owner of numerous similarly designed/constructed buildings throughout the southeastern United States.
  • Take nothing jury trial defense of contractor client over storm sewer box culvert project where defective construction claimed and $850,000 damage amount was sought.
  • Reached complex and comprehensive settlement on behalf of national steel processor against designer/fabricator of a bridge crane support structure in Kentucky and a second bridge crane support with the same design in Alabama, both of which were almost three football fields in length.
  • Judgment obtained on behalf of a group of trucking companies holding as unconstitutional Section 4(f) of Senate Bill 1313. Bilbo Freight Lines v. Dan Morales C.A. No. H-93-3808 (U.S. District Court of Texas Houston Division).
  • Judgment obtained on behalf of group of medical professionals holding as unconstitutional Texas House Bill 1327. Bailey v. Morales, 190 F.3d 320 (U.S. Fifth Circuit).
  • Confidential settlement (including permanent injunctions) of claims asserted by a national manufacturing firm against two former employees for breach of a non-compete and non-circumvention agreement, as well as misappropriation of intellectual property.
  • Settlement for nominal amount of sexual harassment claim asserted against national medical laboratory and one of its shareholder/executives.
  • Confidential settlement on behalf of foreign national former division manager against a global oilfield services company, complicated by Foreign Corrupt Practices Act
  • Successful pursuit of claims on behalf of seller of national airport service provider for breach of the earn-out provisions under a stock purchase and related agreements against multi-national purchaser of such company.
  • Successful pursuit of seven figure claim on behalf of multi-national investor group in defending specific performance and damage claims relating to title report on a large apartment complex in Riverside, California.
  • Represented real estate investment entity as a second lien holder of multiple lots and houses in Galveston County, Texas development against first lien holder and set aside foreclosures and sustained ownership through multiple court orders.
  • Representation in arbitration of software company on employee/shareholder claims of wrongful termination, breach of fiduciary duty and shareholder oppression claims where arbitration award was less than dollar amount offered by client prior to assertion of claim.
  • Successful defense of the largest privately held specialty food manufacturer in the United States from claims of ownership and royalty disputes by a former associate and holder of royalty agreement.
  • Successful settlement of trucking accident claim where damages were asserted against manufacturing company exceeded liability and excess insurance in place by millions of dollars.

Real World Experience

While his work background may not be wholly unique, he has consistently and enthusiastically leveraged those experiences into knowledge. He started by admiring and respecting the tradesmen who supported farming and construction activities, as well as the businessmen who hedged against commodity price fluctuations, financed operations, complied (or tried to comply) with inane governmental regulations, and negotiated a wide range of contracts. Many of these people did not have scholarly certificates hanging on their walls, but they earned their knowledge through years of experience; and they were keen to share their expertise with an eager teenager.

Marty’s educational background started by growing up on a working farm near Alma, Michigan. He rode horses and wore boots for work (not play), built farm buildings and fences, rebuilt tractor engines, baled hay, and grew corn — whatever it took to care for the hundreds of thousands of animals that he helped care for during his first career. Animals ranged from horses and cattle to the less glorious turkeys and chickens to disgusting pigs. He learned to weld so that farm equipment could be repaired, and he designed, fabricated and welded farrowing crates out of salvage oilfield pipe that are still in good shape today (nearly 40 years later), contrasted with manufactured crates that lasted 5 years. He helped follow structural drawings to fabricate roof trusses with plywood gussets to support heavy snow loads on large poultry buildings. Marty also helped remodel and build houses for farm workers and houses to sell to third parties. He has laid blocks, framed, insulated, hung sheet-rock, shingled roofs, calculated loads and run electrical and plumbing lines, and just about anything that didn’t require a license, and probably some things that did. He has held a CDL, driven 18 wheelers, pulled two pup trailers with a dolly, and even had some success backing such a big rig out of a blocked street. He only has one scar from baseball; the rest are from work.

While his work background may not be wholly unique, he has consistently and enthusiastically leveraged those experiences into knowledge. He started by admiring and respecting the tradesmen who supported farming and construction activities, as well as the businessmen who hedged against commodity price fluctuations, financed operations, complied (or tried to comply) with inane governmental regulations, and negotiated a wide range of contracts. Many of these people did not have scholarly certificates hanging on their walls, but they earned their knowledge through years of experience; and they were keen to share their expertise with an eager teenager. One of Marty’s most cherished client comments as a lawyer came from Dr. Moore, a very successful retired California veterinarian and businessman with extensive real estate holdings who he continues to represent nationally and internationally. Dr. Moore said, “What makes you different is that you listen because you respect me, rather than assuming that you know my problem from reading a book or from a different case, like most lawyers.” He not only listens, but he shares the client’s angst for making the best strategic decision in light of not only the legal, but also the economic, realities.

Of course, one cannot be a lawyer without learning the law through formal instruction, so he participated in the formal education process with the same enthusiasm as learning from tradesmen and business people. He worked his way through school, and continued both farm/construction work and work for Alma College, because his dad epitomized the “bootstrap” theory of child rearing, though he was not so appreciative at the time.

CONTACT US
Back to Attorneys

713-951-0160

mhill@pdhlaw.com

Martyn B. Hill has been a named Partner of PDH, since its formation in 1992 as a successor to multiple prior law firms. Marty manages the Litigation Section of PDH. Marty has served, and continues serving, as an advisor to multiple director boards, as well as their reporting officers, often in an outside general counsel role. Marty’s advice is based upon his experience as a trial lawyer and counselor for more than 25 years. Rather than learn from only his experiences and mistakes, he also focuses on absorbing the experiences and thoughts of clients, other successful business people, attorneys, experts, accounting and investment professionals. While he absolutely protects client confidences, a client’s “new” problem is often new only to such client. Marty works hard to resolve problems without litigation.

Much of Marty’s practice focuses on high net-worth individuals and their businesses, people who often started with little and built their business over many years. Marty has partnered with its clients in that long-term growth process. Marty’s intense loyalty to his clients’ goals, within the legal and economic realities presented, separates Marty from many other lawyers.

University of Houston
J.D. – cum laude, with honors, 1991
University of Houston Law Review, Publishing Editor

Washington & Lee University Law School, Lexington

(1979-1980) Began law school, took sabbatical to work full time for the National Republican Congressional Committee under Congressman Guy Vander Jagt, then left active politics when transferred to U of Houston Law School.

Alma College
B.A., cum laude, with honors, 1979

Practice Areas

Representative Matters

  • Successful defense and recovery of Texas furniture dealer against suit filed by a California furniture manufacturer where a five-week trial was held in Los Angeles and appeal pursued with the California Appellate Court.
  • Successfully defended a drug and alcohol testing firm in multiple jury trials from claims asserted that led to employee terminations.
  • Defense in arbitration before the International Chamber of Commerce and litigation of owner of offshore drill ship against claims by an offshore service provider.
  • Successful settlement of claim asserted against a Texas-based general contractor involving litigation with the owner of numerous similarly designed/constructed buildings throughout the southeastern United States.
  • Take nothing jury trial defense of contractor client over storm sewer box culvert project where defective construction claimed and $850,000 damage amount was sought.
  • Reached complex and comprehensive settlement on behalf of national steel processor against designer/fabricator of a bridge crane support structure in Kentucky and a second bridge crane support with the same design in Alabama, both of which were almost three football fields in length.
  • Judgment obtained on behalf of a group of trucking companies holding as unconstitutional Section 4(f) of Senate Bill 1313. Bilbo Freight Lines v. Dan Morales C.A. No. H-93-3808 (U.S. District Court of Texas Houston Division).
  • Judgment obtained on behalf of group of medical professionals holding as unconstitutional Texas House Bill 1327. Bailey v. Morales, 190 F.3d 320 (U.S. Fifth Circuit).
  • Confidential settlement (including permanent injunctions) of claims asserted by a national manufacturing firm against two former employees for breach of a non-compete and non-circumvention agreement, as well as misappropriation of intellectual property.
  • Settlement for nominal amount of sexual harassment claim asserted against national medical laboratory and one of its shareholder/executives.
  • Confidential settlement on behalf of foreign national former division manager against a global oilfield services company, complicated by Foreign Corrupt Practices Act
  • Successful pursuit of claims on behalf of seller of national airport service provider for breach of the earn-out provisions under a stock purchase and related agreements against multi-national purchaser of such company.
  • Successful pursuit of seven figure claim on behalf of multi-national investor group in defending specific performance and damage claims relating to title report on a large apartment complex in Riverside, California.
  • Represented real estate investment entity as a second lien holder of multiple lots and houses in Galveston County, Texas development against first lien holder and set aside foreclosures and sustained ownership through multiple court orders.
  • Representation in arbitration of software company on employee/shareholder claims of wrongful termination, breach of fiduciary duty and shareholder oppression claims where arbitration award was less than dollar amount offered by client prior to assertion of claim.
  • Successful defense of the largest privately held specialty food manufacturer in the United States from claims of ownership and royalty disputes by a former associate and holder of royalty agreement.
  • Successful settlement of trucking accident claim where damages were asserted against manufacturing company exceeded liability and excess insurance in place by millions of dollars.

Real World Experience

While his work background may not be wholly unique, he has consistently and enthusiastically leveraged those experiences into knowledge. He started by admiring and respecting the tradesmen who supported farming and construction activities, as well as the businessmen who hedged against commodity price fluctuations, financed operations, complied (or tried to comply) with inane governmental regulations, and negotiated a wide range of contracts. Many of these people did not have scholarly certificates hanging on their walls, but they earned their knowledge through years of experience; and they were keen to share their expertise with an eager teenager.

Marty’s educational background started by growing up on a working farm near Alma, Michigan. He rode horses and wore boots for work (not play), built farm buildings and fences, rebuilt tractor engines, baled hay, and grew corn — whatever it took to care for the hundreds of thousands of animals that he helped care for during his first career. Animals ranged from horses and cattle to the less glorious turkeys and chickens to disgusting pigs. He learned to weld so that farm equipment could be repaired, and he designed, fabricated and welded farrowing crates out of salvage oilfield pipe that are still in good shape today (nearly 40 years later), contrasted with manufactured crates that lasted 5 years. He helped follow structural drawings to fabricate roof trusses with plywood gussets to support heavy snow loads on large poultry buildings. Marty also helped remodel and build houses for farm workers and houses to sell to third parties. He has laid blocks, framed, insulated, hung sheet-rock, shingled roofs, calculated loads and run electrical and plumbing lines, and just about anything that didn’t require a license, and probably some things that did. He has held a CDL, driven 18 wheelers, pulled two pup trailers with a dolly, and even had some success backing such a big rig out of a blocked street. He only has one scar from baseball; the rest are from work.

While his work background may not be wholly unique, he has consistently and enthusiastically leveraged those experiences into knowledge. He started by admiring and respecting the tradesmen who supported farming and construction activities, as well as the businessmen who hedged against commodity price fluctuations, financed operations, complied (or tried to comply) with inane governmental regulations, and negotiated a wide range of contracts. Many of these people did not have scholarly certificates hanging on their walls, but they earned their knowledge through years of experience; and they were keen to share their expertise with an eager teenager. One of Marty’s most cherished client comments as a lawyer came from Dr. Moore, a very successful retired California veterinarian and businessman with extensive real estate holdings who he continues to represent nationally and internationally. Dr. Moore said, “What makes you different is that you listen because you respect me, rather than assuming that you know my problem from reading a book or from a different case, like most lawyers.” He not only listens, but he shares the client’s angst for making the best strategic decision in light of not only the legal, but also the economic, realities.

Of course, one cannot be a lawyer without learning the law through formal instruction, so he participated in the formal education process with the same enthusiasm as learning from tradesmen and business people. He worked his way through school, and continued both farm/construction work and work for Alma College, because his dad epitomized the “bootstrap” theory of child rearing, though he was not so appreciative at the time.

CONTACT USBack to Attorneys

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