Insight

Winning for His Clients Amid a Pandemic

Best Lawyers®* Listed Attorney Joseph Brophy on achieving success in 2020.

Winning for His Clients Amid a Pandemic
JF

John Fields

June 17, 2021 06:29 AM

In a year of unprecedented challenges and hardships, Brophy & Devaney (“B&D”) continued to rack up big wins for its clients – in the courtroom, live and virtually, and in the boardroom.

2020 started with a bang! Against substantially better funded adversaries and with the facts and law against them, Joseph F. Brophy (“Brophy”), acting as lead-counsel, successfully represented a local developer against his powerful and wealthy investors. A loss meant near certain bankruptcy for the client. A win, on the other hand, meant a profitable venture. By virtue of talent, hard-work and perseverance, David overcame Goliath and B&D obtained success for its client: bankruptcy was averted, and profits were realized.

That case started a trend of success for B&D’s clients which continued through 2020. B&D, with Brophy as lead trial counsel, won two substantial bench trials in central and south Texas. Brophy won a contractual dispute arising out of a business divorce and obtained a judgment covering nearly all the client’s actual damages, attorney’s fees and interest—virtually a 100 percent total victory of all amounts subject to being awarded.

In a land dispute with the state of Texas, Brophy crushed the state’s paid expert from real estate powerhouse, JLL, on cross examination and obtained an award of nearly 10 times the amount offered by the state – almost an unprecedented exponential award.

Outside the courtroom, Brophy served as shareholders’ lead counsel in connection with one of the larger sales of a private company in Texas in 2020. Brophy worked with one of the nation’s largest law firms and an international investment banking firm to get the company sold in the middle of the pandemic.

“Our work ethic and legal acumen is second to none,” says Brophy of the firm’s success. This results in our clients generally receiving the best possible result in an efficient and cost-effective manner. “We are lucky to work with great clients, who follow our advice and provide us with the cooperation needed to achieve great results—it’s a team effort with the client very much involved. Without the client’s commitment, involvement and cooperation, success at this level is not achievable,” says Brophy. “We are as dedicated to our clients’ success as anyone in the legal industry.”

It is this dedication that has led a wide range of clients—both individuals and businesses, plaintiffs and defendants, companies, partners and shareholders, and employers and employees—to call on Brophy and his firm for assistance in disputes across Texas and throughout the country. Brophy also serves as general counsel for small to midsize businesses, who prefer to outsource their GC needs.

“We look forward to the courthouses fully re-opening and returning to jury trials,” says Brophy. “While trials to the bench and in arbitration are very satisfying, nothing gets the adrenaline pumping quite like jury trials.”

While 2020 was another successful year for B&D, like so many around the world, this past year was not without loss for Brophy, whose father passed due to complications from COVID. “He was a wonderful man. He maintained his family first and his friends and country, second. He was that rare breed that voluntarily joined the US Marine Corps during Vietnam while so many others looked to avoid it, and he would give a friend the shirt off his back. He was loved and is missed.”

*Commercial Litigation, 2013-2021

Related Articles

Catastrophic Personal Injury


by Best Lawyers

Trial legend Frank Branson finds success mixing technology and new skills with vast courtroom experience.

Catastrophic Personal Injury

Fighting for Justice, Fighting for Change


by Best Lawyers

Dallas trial attorneys Michael Lyons and Christopher Simmons find motivation in the pursuit of justice.

Fighting for Justice, Fighting for Change

A Trial Icon Joins a Legal Powerhouse


by John Fields

Dan Cogdell on moving his renowned criminal defense practice to Jones Walker LLP.

A Trial Icon Joins a Legal Powerhouse

Exceptional Advocacy


by Justin Smulison

Two-time Personal Injury “Lawyer of the Year”, Daniel J.T. Sciano, reflects on the uniqueness and successes of his 40th year as one of San Antonio’s top litigators

Exceptional Advocacy

Amy Warr - Austin 2020 Lawyer of the Year


by Best Lawyers

Appellate Practice Austin, TX

Amy Warr

Brophy & Devaney, PLLC


by Best Lawyers

Joseph F. Brophy embraces his reputations for his zealous representation of his clients and is passionate about learning their businesses and problems and ensuring that their rights are protected and their interests are maximized, whether by way of litigation or transaction.

Joseph Brophy Best Lawyers 2020

In the News: Texas 2019


by Best Lawyers

A roundup of relevant news from lawyers listed in Texas.

Legal News Roundup Texas

IN PARTNERSHIP

What Will a Car Accident Lawyer Actually Do for You?


by Joshua Fogelman

Learn what a car accident lawyer can do for you after a Texas car crash, including protecting your right to receive maximum compensation for your injuries and damages.

Hands pointing to a white car that has been damaged

Canadian Women in the Legal Profession: From Non-‘Persons’ to Chief Justices


by Sara Collin

We take an in-depth look at the challenges and optimistic future of women in the Canadian legal sector.

Canadian Women in the Legal Profession

Best Lawyers Through the Ages: Our past. Our today. Our future.


by Rachel Shrewsbury

Best Lawyers is celebrating its 29th edition for 2023 continuing to be the original, trusted source for legal awards.

Skyscrapers against evening sky with water

Trending Top Five: Critical Corporate Components for 2022


by Justin Smulison

It’s no longer “business as usual” for most of Corporate America. With a growing list of challenges facing the legal and financial health of many companies, we talked to several major General Counsel about the biggest areas in which businesses should remain vigilant.

Corporate Advice From General Counsel

Announcing the 2022 Best Lawyers: The Corporate Law and Commercial Litigation Issue


by Best Lawyers

The first edition of Best Lawyers: The Corporate Law and Commercial Litigation Issues features thought leadership articles from attorneys around the nation, as well as listings in more than 70 practice areas.

Corporate and Commercial Issue

Measuring Success by Results


by John Fields

Recognized Best Lawyers®* recipient Joseph F. Brophy on how his Firm determines success.

Measuring Firm Success

Texas' Best Lawyers 2022


by Best Lawyers

Our Texas' Best Lawyers 2022 publication features top-ranked legal talent in Texas.

Texas' Best Lawyers 2022

How Peer Review Powers Industry Referrals


by Best Lawyers

Best Lawyers combines the trust of industry referrals with state-of-the-art technology to help clients find the right lawyer.

Man and woman sitting at desk with laptops

Big Rig, Big Responsibility


by Theodore Babbitt

The nation’s highways are more clogged than ever with 40-ton 18-wheelers that don’t take safety seriously enough. This must change—and it’s up to both state governments and private industry to make it happen.

Trucking Safety in Florida

Trending Articles

The Best Lawyers in South Africa™ 2023


by Best Lawyers

Best Lawyers proudly announces lawyers recognized in South Africa for 2023.

South African flag

Announcing the 2023 The Best Lawyers in America Honorees


by Best Lawyers

Only the top 5.3% of all practicing lawyers in the U.S. were selected by their peers for inclusion in the 29th edition of The Best Lawyers in America®.

Gold strings and dots connecting to form US map

Best Lawyers Voting Is Now Open


by Best Lawyers

Voting has begun in several countries across the globe, including the United States, the United Kingdom and Europe. Below we offer dates, details and answers to voting-related questions to assist with the voting process.

Hands holding smartphone with five stars above phone

Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in America for 2023


by Best Lawyers

The third edition of Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in America™ highlights the legal talent of lawyers who have been in practice less than 10 years.

Three arrows made of lines and dots on blue background

Rising Transfer Taxes


by Angus C. Beverly

Transfer taxes in California are becoming a statewide trend with potentially national implications. Here is a breakdown of the effects in several cities.

State of California in orange with city in backdrop

Announcing The Best Lawyers in Australia™ 2023


by Best Lawyers

The results include an elite field of top lawyers and firms from Australia.

The Best Lawyers in Australia™ 2023

Announcing the 2023 The Best Lawyers in Canada Honorees


by Best Lawyers

The Best Lawyers in Canada™ is entering its 17th edition for 2023. We highlight the elite lawyers awarded this year.

Red map of Canada with white lines and dots

Could Reign Supreme End with the Queen?


by Sara Collin

Canada is revisiting the notion of abolishing the monarchy after Queen Elizabeth II’s passing, but many Canadians and lawmakers are questioning if Canada could, should and would follow through.

Teacup on saucer over image of Queen's eye

Famous Songs Unprotected by Copyright Could Mean Royalties for Some


by Michael B. Fein

A guide to navigating copyright claims on famous songs.

Can I Sing "Happy Birthday" in Public?

What the Courts Say About Recording in the Classroom


by Christina Henagen Peer and Peter Zawadski

Students and parents are increasingly asking to use audio devices to record what's being said in the classroom. But is it legal? A recent ruling offer gives the answer to a question confusing parents and administrators alike.

Is It Legal for Students to Record Teachers?

The Upcycle Conundrum


by Karen Kreider Gaunt

Laudable or litigious? What you need to know about potential copyright and trademark infringement when repurposing products.

Repurposed Products and Copyright Infringemen

Caffeine Overload and DUI Tests


by Daniel Taylor

While it might come as a surprise, the over-consumption of caffeine could trigger a false positive on a breathalyzer test.

Can Caffeine Cause You to Fail DUI Test?

Wage and Overtime Laws for Truck Drivers


by Greg Mansell

For truck drivers nationwide, underpayment and overtime violations are just the beginning of a long list of problems. Below we explore the wages you are entitled to but may not be receiving.

Truck Driver Wage and Overtime Laws in the US

Best Law Firms® Research Has Begun


by Best Lawyers

Best Law Firms® rankings are annually produced awards recognizing the top law firms across the United States. We are here to offer insight into the submission process for all eligible firms.

Black background with colorful squares and faces

Choosing a Title Company: What a Seller Should Expect


by Roy D. Oppenheim

When it comes to choosing a title company, how much power exactly does a seller have?

Choosing the Title Company As Seller

Thirteen Years of Excellence


by Best Lawyers

For the 13th consecutive year, “Best Law Firms” has awarded the most elite and talented law firms across the country through a thorough and trusted data review process.

Red, white and blue pipes and writing on black background