Our Results

Joel Shields Secures Favorable Settlement in Disability Discrimination Case

Joel Shields secured a confidential settlement on a client’s behalf against a restaurant chain in a disability discrimination case involving failure-to-accommodate and retaliation claims. In this case, the client had a diabetic condition which can constitute a disability under the law. The client sought reasonable accommodation from the employer to periodically check blood sugar levels in a private area during the client’s shift, which was rejected by the employer. After complaining about the employer’s discriminatory practices, the employer discharged the client.

Six-Figure Settlement in a Sexual Harassment and Retaliation Case 

Joel Shields and Ben Yelverton secured a six-figure settlement in a sexual harassment and retaliation case against a county government. The county was aware of past sexual harassment in the workplace, but the county did nothing to the harasser. Predictably, the harasser struck again, this time sexually harassing our client. After the client reported the sexual harassment, the county retaliated and terminated her employment.

Helped Resolve High-Profile Jury Verdict Case 

In February 2024, Tyler Talbert assisted trial attorneys in resolving a case following a high-stakes jury verdict. The trial produced the 51st largest verdict in Texas that year. Tyler became involved after the verdict but before the appeal, quickly securing a settlement and ensuring our client was paid without the need for further litigation.

Mike Scanes Secures Favorable Settlement in Complex Construction Dispute Involving Architect and Engineer 

Mike Scanes settles challenging construction case against architect and engineer. Both the architect and engineer denied any negligence or flaws in their design of a large facility in the Dallas area and blamed all the construction problems on the contractors. After extensive discovery and litigation, Mike Scanes and the SYT team were able to procure a favorable settlement on behalf of the owner of the facility. 

Scanes Yelverton Talbert Attorneys Settle Workplace Injury 

On January 19, 2024, Ben Yelverton and Joel Shields secured a confidential settlement on behalf of a high-wage worker who was severely injured during her employment and then discharged by her employer. The case involved negligence claims, claims for failure to accommodate a disability, and claims under the Family & Medical Leave Act. The matter was resolved in a satisfactory manner by agreement of the parties. 

Defended Trial Court’s Judgment in Debt Dispute 

In Fall 2023, Tyler Talbert was part of the appellate team that successfully defended a trial court’s decision voiding a $6 million debt that Chase Bank alleged the City of Corsicana owed. After extensive briefing and oral argument, the Waco Court of Appeals affirmed the verdict in our favor.

Scanes Yelverton Talbert Attorneys Resolve a Failure-to-Accommodate Case Against TxDOT   

On August 30, 2023, Ben Yelverton and Joel Shields successfully negotiated a confidential settlement for their client in a case involving TxDOT’s failure to provide medical leave as a reasonable accommodation for his disability. This case involved years of litigation and multiple appeals by TxDOT, including an appeal to, and oral argument in front of, the Texas Supreme Court. The argument was handled by the firm’s partner, Tyler Talbert, who is Board Certified in Appellate Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. Throughout all of these years and appeals, the firm stuck by its client and was able to reach a mutually satisfactory resolution. 

Scanes Yelverton Talbert Attorneys Settle FLSA Collective Action 

On March 10, 2023, the federal government agreed to pay $3 million to end a collective action stating that they underpaid truck drivers employed by Air Force Exchange Services (AAFES). Joel Shields of Scanes Yelverton Talbert, as part of a litigation team that included Lead Counsel John Fabry of The Carlson Law Firm and David Kern of The Kern Law Firm, brought the action on behalf of more than 115 plaintiffs under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). The settlement will compensate plaintiffs for unpaid wages and overtime. This was the second collective action handled by these attorneys against AAFES. The original collective action against AAFES was resolved in 2020 for $7.95 million. 

Ben Yelverton Settles Garbage Truck Crash Case

Ben Yelverton recently settled a case arising from a traffic accident involving a garbage truck and a private vehicle. In the case, the plaintiff alleged that the garbage truck she was following moved into the center turn lane, then swung back into her vehicle while making a wide right-hand turn. While the truck operator denied moving all the way into the center turn lane, he admitted that his back tires were not near the right-hand shoulder, as mandated by the Texas Commercial Motor Vehicle Handbook. Also hotly contested was whether the truck’s rear hazard lights, which were repaired shortly after this incident, were working at the time of the crash. Ultimately, the parties agreed to settle about a month before trial. 

Secured Dismissal in Defamation Cases 

In Spring 2023, Tyler Talbert won two defamation cases where our clients were sued for speaking out on matters of public concern. In both cases—one involving a schoolteacher reporting alleged misconduct and the other a woman posting an online review—Tyler successfully had the claims dismissed using the Texas Citizen’s Participation Act, requiring the opposing parties to pay our client’s attorney’s fees. 

Mike Scanes Achieves Settlement for Homeowners in Lightning Strike and Insurance Dispute 

Mike Scanes settles a loss of home case against a home insurance carrier and the mortgage company in a case where the home was struck by lightning and later demolished. All defendants, including the insurance carrier and mortgage company denied any wrongdoing. After several months of litigation, Mike Scanes and the SYT team were able to procure a favorable settlement on behalf of the homeowners. 

Successfully Defended Appeal in Trust Litigation 

In Spring 2023, Tyler Talbert successfully defended an appeal in trust litigation before the El Paso Court of Appeals. The Court sided with our clients, dismissing the appeal and securing a favorable outcome. 

Scanes Yelverton Talbert Attorneys Prevail in Federal Civil Rights Trial 

On March 2, 2022, Mike Scanes and Joel Shields prevailed in federal trial in Austin, Texas. The jury found that the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission (“TABC”) violated Plaintiff Marlin Shawn Miller’s (“Miller”) civil rights when TABC fired Miller in retaliation for participating as a witness in a Title VII sexual harassment investigation. The jury awarded back pay, past mental anguish, and future mental anguish. On March 31, 2023, the court entered a final judgment against TABC, including an award of attorneys’ fees and costs, of more than $500,000. 

Successfully Defended Judgment in Stock Ownership Dispute 

Tyler Talbert successfully defended a trial court’s judgment in a stock ownership dispute. The Houston Court of Appeals (1st) affirmed all issues in favor of our client, securing a favorable ruling. 

Mike Scanes and Ben Yelverton Obtain Defense Verdict in Healthcare Whistleblower Claim

SYT Firm attorneys Mike Scanes and Ben Yelverton recently obtained a “take-nothing” verdict in Dallas district court on behalf of a well-known hospital. The plaintiff alleged that he had been fired in retaliation for reporting a safety issue and asked the jury for $42,500,000 as compensation. Over the course of the 5-day trial, Mike and Ben systematically dismantled the doctor’s version of events, and presented evidence that, not only was the doctor properly terminated, but furthermore that the safety issue he had reported had been correctly handled, and the patient in question had received a good surgical result. The jury agreed and found for the hospital after less than an hour of deliberation. 

Filed Amicus Brief on Behalf of Texas Employment Lawyers 

Tyler Talbert filed an amicus brief in the Fifth Circuit on behalf of the Texas Employment Lawyer’s Association, advocating for the protections of the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act for Texas employees. 

Ben Yelverton Settles Dallas Construction Dispute

SYT Firm lawyer Ben Yelverton recently settled a dispute between a Dallas commercial developer and a community of townhome owners. The townhome owners alleged that a construction site next door to their homes was not properly secured, and that the construction workers allowed trash and debris to rain down on their properties for months. After 21 months of litigation, the parties agreed to settle about two weeks before trial. 

Mike Scanes Wins Settlement in Breach of Fiduciary Duty Case Against Trustee 

Mike Scanes settles a complicated breach of fiduciary duty case against the trustee of a trust. In this case, the trustee sold trust property, and the proceeds of the sale were wrongfully distributed to the trustee and her family member, to the detriment of the beneficiaries of the trust. After extensive litigation, Mike Scanes and the SYT team were able to procure a favorable settlement on behalf of the beneficiaries of the trust.