Jeff Janota devotes his practice to the defense of clients and insurers in civil litigation matters involving catastrophic injury, wrongful death, products liability, construction defect, professional liability, UM/UIM and bad faith.
Jeff routinely represents developers, property owners and management companies, general contractors, subcontractors, design professionals, hotels, insurance companies, agents, transportation companies and drivers.
Jeff’s approach to litigation focuses on early case evaluation and cost-effective resolution through settlement or dispositive motion. When early resolution is not possible, Jeff will not hesitate to take a case to trial or arbitration. Jeff has resolved hundreds of cases outside of trial and has successfully tried more than twenty cases to jury verdict.
Representative Experience
Obtained summary judgment on behalf of a homeowner’s association involving claims brought by a homeowner.
Negotiated a favorable settlement against a media production company in a traumatic brain injury case.
Obtained summary judgment for a major insurance carrier involving claims of breach of contract, bad faith, insurance code violations and deceptive trade practices related to damage claims arising from the Bastrop Wildfires.
Negotiated favorable settlement for a national automotive parts distributor involving wrongful death resulting from an automobile collision.
Obtained summary judgment for a motorcycle safety training company by enforcing a pre-injury release of liability.
Handled defense of a property management company for severe spinal injuries resulting in quadriplegia arising from a diving incident.
Successfully defended lawsuits through jury trial involving personal injuries arising out of motor vehicle collisions.
Represented a national foundation repair company in litigation and arbitration of numerous disputes involving claims of breach of contract, breach of warranties, deceptive trade practices and negligence.
Representation of numerous contractors and trades in a multitude of construction defect lawsuits involving residential, commercial and multifamily projects.
Obtained a defense verdict on behalf of a major insurer involving allegations of breach of contract, insurance code violations and bad faith.
Related Services
Publications & Speaking Engagements
Education, Admissions & Activities
Education
South Texas College of Law
J.D., 1995
Southwest Texas State University
B.S., summa cum laude, 1992
Bar Admissions
Texas
1996
Court Admissions
United States District Court of Texas
Southern and Western
Professional and Community Activities
State Bar of Texas
Construction, Litigation and Insurance Sections
Austin Bar Association
Litigation and Construction Sections
Texas Association of Defense Counsel
DRI (Defense Research Institute)
Green Building Certification Institute
LEED Green Associate
Austin Bar Association
Board of Directors, 2008-2009
Texas Bar Foundation
Life Fellow
Travis County Construction Law Section
Elected Chair, 2021