Shelton J. McDonald

Associate
smcdonald@ds-lawyers.com
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Direct: 713.580.8903
 Facsimile: 713.580.8910

1010 Lamar St, Suite 950
Houston, Texas 77002

Through his practice concentrating on transactional business services, Mr. McDonald serves a wide range of clients including modest start-up enterprises, multi-generational family business, closely held domestic conglomerates, publicly traded domestic corporations, and international companies conducting business throughout the world.  As an extension of his transactional practice, Shelton frequently participates as an active member of litigation teams representing clients involved in business disputes in both Texas state and federal court.  With his Baylor education in finance and real estate and a concentration in corporate communications, Mr. McDonald frequently draws on his business training when advising his clients. 
 
TRANSACTIONAL EXPERIENCE:

Outside Corporate Counsel: Served as outside counsel to a domestic group of production and distribution companies; Worked with officers, directors and shareholders of companies to address all aspects of corporate governance and corporate compliance matters, and oversee all ongoing legal matters associated with company operations.
Non-Profit Counsel:  Served as counsel to a developing charitable institution by advising the directors and officers on all aspects of non-profit corporate formation and governance. 
Associate Counsel: Served as counsel and advised officers and directors on specific issues of strategic acquisitions and investments.   
Corporate Formations and Structures: Advised clients as to choice of entity and corporate structures, taking into account state and federal tax considerations; Formed corporations, limited liability companies, joint ventures and limited partnerships, and prepared constituent documents of the entities.
Mergers and Acquisitions: Negotiated and drafted purchase and sale agreements.
Business Transactions: Negotiated and drafted sales and licensing agreement, distribution agreements, joint venture agreements and other business transactions.
Intellectual Property Agreements: Negotiated and drafted confidentiality agreements, intellectual property transfers and licenses.
Domestic and International Business Operations: Drafted international service agreements, domestic joint venture agreements, and various other business transactions dealing with issues concerning products, employees, real estate, and services.
Contract Review and Analysis: Reviewed and analyzed existing complex corporate agreements and advised clients concerning potential impacts and liability exposure as a basis for accurate and viable business decision making and renegotiation.

LITIGATION EXPERIENCE:

Engineering: Defended engineering firms in multi-million dollar complex contract actions stemming from private, municipal, and federal contracts in both state and federal court. 
Chemical Processing and Brokering: Prosecuted actions involving theft of trade secrets, fraud, and breach of contract.
Construction: Defended both residential and commercial developers in a multitude of contract matters, including property description disputes, breach of contract, DTPA violations, fraud, and negligence.
Administrative Law: Managed an extensive docket of administrative litigation matters from inception through resolution.

Education

JD, South Texas College of Law, 2005
Dean's Merit Scholarship

BA, Baylor University, 2002

Jurisdictions Admitted to Practice

Texas, 2005

Professional & Bar Association Memberships

Houston Young Lawyers Association

American Bar Association

Houston Downtown Alliance, Emerging Leaders