Katine & Nechman, L.L.P.

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Updated 8/27/2009

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1111 North Loop West
Suite 180

Houston, TX 77008-1700

Phone: (866) 752-3672 (Toll Free) / (713) 568-3323 (Houston, TX)

Fax: (713) 808-1107

Contact Us / Contact Us

Other websites associated with this firm:http://www.lgbtlawyers.com
http://www.hivlawyers.com

Summary

Languages

  • Spanish
  • English
  • Portuguese
  • Hebrew

Law Firm Overview

Katine & Nechman: Lawyers You Know. A Firm You Can Trust.

In a city known for setting paradigms, Katine & Nechman L.L.P. strives to be a boundary-breaking firm. Katine & Nechman brings together the diverse talents and storied reputations of its founding partners, Mitchell Katine and John Nechman; the skill and dedication of a seasoned staff; an effective, efficient, and fearless approach to accomplishing the needs of its clients; the personal touch of a boutique firm coupled with the array of services and access one would expect of a large firm; and a commitment to and understanding of the vibrant city of Houston and its diverse population.

Katine & Nechman: A Proud Houston Firm

Though Katine & Nechman handles matters throughout the state of Texas and the United States and its clients hail from nearly every part of the globe, the firm's primary focus is on Houston, the nation's fourth largest city and world energy capital. Houston is a microcosm of the world, and Katine & Nechman has found that offering services geared to the needs of this complex city better enables the firm to handle the needs of an increasingly international client base. Understanding our mission calls for an understanding of our remarkable home of Houston.

Katine & Nechman's Real Estate Practice: Bringing Order to Houston's Disorder

A unique characteristic of Houston is that it is the largest and only major city in the United States without zoning laws. Most of its neighborhoods are governed by homeowner associations and often complex deed restrictions. Real estate acquisitions, including major commercial land purchases, call for the expertise of attorneys well-versed in the unique system of rules and regulations that affect Houston and much of the Texas Gulf Coast. Over his career, Mitchell Katine has established a reputation as an exceptional attorney on real estate matters, particularly in homeowner association law. He represents major homeowner associations as well as individuals in disputes with associations. His experience as a former Commissioner with the Texas Real Estate Commission and the invaluable connections he has made over his career position him and Katine & Nechman well in handling the real estate needs of Houston and those looking to establish businesses or homes in the Houston area.

An Immigration Firm for All Houstonians

The population of Houston is one of the most diverse in the world, and the city's reputation as a new international center of commerce grows daily. More than 1 in every 4 Houstonians was born outside of the United States, over 160 languages are spoken in the homes of the children of the Houston Independent School District, and the third largest consular core in America calls the Bayou City home. The Latino population is now the majority in Houston and is itself comprised of sizable communities from all parts of the Latin American world. John Nechman has championed immigrant rights since his first days as an attorney. An immigrant himself (born in Korea), he speaks fluent Spanish, and he often travels internationally on business and to do presentations, discovering opportunities for Americans looking to operate abroad and foreign entities seeking opportunities in the U.S. For example, in China's economic powerhouse metropolis of Shenzhen, Houston's sister city, Katine & Nechman works with one of the most prestigious firms in China to assist the needs of American clients. Sara C. Goldberg, an associate with the firm, also works on all facets of immigration law, including assisting businesses in complying with rapidly-evolving immigration laws in the workplace.  She also is fluent in Hebrew and Spanish.  The firm is proud of its growing role as a leader in the fight to better the lives of the immigrant communities of Houston and all of America and helping Houston and non-Houston businesses navigate the bewildering maze of immigration-related rules and regulations.

A Firm for All Legal Needs

In addition to his work in real estate law, Mitchell Katine also handles employment law matters, second parent adoptions, and estate planning. The firm maintains strong connections with other attorneys capable of providing legal assistance on matters that Katine & Nechman does not handle. The efficient running of the office is due in great part to a team of exceptional legal assistants. Katine & Nechman endeavors to provide its clients with the benefits and human touch that one expects from a boutique firm, together with the power, service, and access to resources and other legal and non-legal professionals that one expects of a much larger firm.

A Firm Committed to Giving Back to the Community

In addition to their work on behalf of property owners and immigrants, Mitchell Katine and John Nechman are well-known for their work on behalf of GLBT and HIV-positive clients. For many years, they have taught courses on HIV/AIDS law and sexual orientation and gender identification law at the University of Houston Law Center and South Texas College of Law. They are also well known speakers locally, nationally, and globally at community events, schools, and Continuing Legal Education seminars as well as on television and radio. Mitchell is perhaps best known for being local counsel to John Lawrence and Tyron Garner, whose landmark U.S. Supreme Court case Lawrence v. Texas overturned sodomy statutes in every state. The firm is particularly proud of its joint partnership with AIDS Foundation Houston, in which Katine & Nechman attorneys provide free consultations to anyone with HIV or AIDS on any legal issue on the second Tuesday of every month.

The Tip of the Pyramid: Houston's Best Office Location

Katine & Nechman L.L.P. occupies a unique first floor space in the Park Central Plaza Building on the North Loop (I-610) between Ella Boulevard and North Shepherd Street. If 5 mile straight lines connected the Katine & Nechman office and the two major centers of commerce in Houston--Downtown and the Galleria area-- Katine & Nechman would be at the top of the pyramid. The focal point of the office is a 4-story slanted pyramid of glass forming a dramatic atrium over the spacious triangular main conference room. Abundant free parking, a convenient and prestigious Inner-Loop location, easy, uncongested highway access, and a 10 minute commute to most key parts of the city make the office's location ideal for clients.

Katine & Nechman L.L.P. looks forward to being your firm. Lawyers you know. A firm you can trust.

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INFORMACION EN ESPANOL

Katine & Nechman: Abogados que Conoce.  Una Firma en la que Puede Confiar.

En una ciudad bien conocida por establecer paradigmas, Katine & Nechman L.L.P. se esfuerza por ser una firma que cruza las barreras de la justicia.  Katine & Nechman reune los diversos talentos y las famosas reputaciones de sus fundadores, Mitchell Katine y John Nechman; la habilidad y el esmero de un personal excepcional; un enfoque eficaz, eficiente, y audaz para satisfacer las necesidades de nuestros clientes; el toque personal de una firma familiar que reune los servicios y recursos que se esperaria de una gran firma; y la obligacion y comprension de la vibrante ciudad de Houston y de su diversa poblacion.  Estamos a su disposicion.

Katine & Nechman: Una Firma Orgullosa de Houston y Nuestra Comunidad Latina.

Aunque la firma de Katine & Nechman representa clientes a traves del estado de Texas, Estados Unidos, y clientes que vienen de diferentes partes del mundo, el foco primario de la firma esta en Houston, la cuarta ciudad mas grande de la nacion y la capital mundial de la energia. Houston es un microcosmos del mundo, y Katine & Nechman ofrece servicios enfocados a las necesidades de esta compleja ciudad permitiendole a la firma cumplir con las necesidades de una base de clientes cada vez mas internacional.  Mas de una tercera parte de los habitantes de Houston son latinos, y nuestra firma esta lista para servirles.  Para entender nuestra mision es importante entender nuestro extraordinaria ciudad de Houston.

Katine & Nechman y Los Derechos de las Propiedades Inmobiliarias: Traer Orden al Desorden de Houston

Una caracteristica unica de Houston es que es la unica ciudad principal de los Estados Unidos sin leyes en la division en zonas.  La mayor parte de sus vecindarios son gobernados por asociaciones de duenos de casa (homeowners' associations) y complejas restricciones de titulo. Las adquisiciones de propiedades inmobiliarias, incluyendo compras comerciales, piden la maestria de abogados con experiencia en el sistema unico de reglas y regulaciones que afectan a Houston y una gran parte de la costa tejana en el Golfo de Mexico.  En el curso de su carrera, Mitchell Katine ha establecido una reputacion como abogado excepcional en materias de asuntos relacionados con bienes raices, particularmente en la ley de las asociaciones de duenos de casa. El representa asociaciones asi como individuos que tienen conflictos con asociaciones. Su experiencia como Delegado de la Comision de Propiedades Inmobiliarias de Texas (Texas Real Estate Commission) asi como importantes conexiones que el ha hecho a lo largo de su carrera le dan a Katine & Nechman la experiencia para cumplir con las necesidades de la gente de Houston en materia de propiedades inmobiliarias y de las personas que piensan establecer negocios o sus hogares en Houston y Texas.

Katine & Nechman:  Una Firma de Inmigracion para Todos en Houston y los Estados Unidos

La poblacion de Houston es una de las mas diversas del mundo, y la reputacion de la ciudad como un nuevo centro internacional del comercio crece a diario.  Mas de 1 en cada 4 habitantes de Houston nacieron fuera de los Estados Unidos, mas de 160 idiomas se hablan en los hogares de los ninos del distrito escolar de Houston, y la ciudad tiene mas consulados que todas las ciudades estadounidenses aparte de Nueva York y Washington, D.C.  La poblacion latina ahora es la mayoria en Houston e incluye comunidades importantes de todas partes del mundo latinoamericano. John Nechman ha defendido los derechos de los inmigrantes desde sus primeros dias como abogado. El Senor Nechman es profesor en dos de las universidades de derecho mas prestigiosas de Houston, y es miembro de la Organizacion Nacional de Hispanos Profesionales (NHPO), la Seccion de Intereses Hispanos del Colegio de Abogados del Estado de Texas, y la junta directiva del Ballet Fiesta Mexicana, y es consejero a la Liga de Ciudadanos Unidos Latinoamericanos (LULAC). Un inmigrante mismo (nacido en Corea), el habla fluentemente el espanol, y viaja con frecuencia internacionalmente por negocios y para hacer presentaciones, descubriendo oportunidades para la gente en los Estados Unidos que piensan en hacer negocios en el exterior y las entidades extranjeras que buscan oportunidades en los Estados Unidos.  Por ejemplo, en la dinamica metropoli economica de China de Shenzhen (la ciudad de hermana de Houston), Katine & Nechman trabaja con una de las firmas mas prestigiosas de China para asistir con las necesidades de sus clientes.  Podemos asistir con peticiones laborales, familiares, inversionista, y visas de turista, estudiante, y del tratado de libre comercio.  Ademas, Senor Nechman es muy conocido por su trabajo en importantes casos de asilo politico, en el cual una persona busca la proteccion de las leyes de los Estados Unidos para no tener que volver a su propio pais.  Sara C. Goldberg, una asociada con la firma, tambien trabaja con casos de inmigracion, incluyendo asistiendo negociantes de entender y cumplir con las leyes de inmigracion que pertenece a los negocios.  Ella tambien habla espanol y es fluente en hebreo.  La firma esta orgullosa en su papel como lider en la lucha para mejorar la vida de las comunidades inmigrantes de Houston y todo el pais y de ayudar a los negocios de Houston y alrededor del pais a navegar el desconcertante laberinto de reglas y regulaciones de inmigracion.

Una Firma para Todas las Necesidades Legales

Ademas de su trabajo con leyes de bienes raices, Mitchell Katine tambien maneja asuntos relacionados con leyes de empleo, las adopciones de segundo padre, y del planeacion para el future, incluyendo testamentos y poderes de abogado.  El funcionamiento eficiente de la oficina se debe en gran parte a un equipo de excepcionales ayudantes legales. Katine & Nechman se esfuerza para proveer a sus clientes las ventajas y el tacto humano que se espera de una firma familiar que reune el poder, servicio, y recursos que caracterizan a las grandes firmas.

Una Firma Dedicada a la Comunidad

Ademas de su trabajo con propietarios, empresarios, e inmigrantes, Mitchell Katine y John Nechman son bien conocidos para su trabajo con la comunidad LGBT (lesbiana, gay, bisexual, y transgenero) y personas seropositivas.  Por muchos anos, ellos han ensenado cursos sobre la ley del VIH/SIDA y la identificacion y orientacion sexual en la Universidad de Houston Centro de Derecho y South Texas College of Law.  Son tambien voceros muy conocidos localmente, nacionalmente, y alrededor del mundo en acontecimientos de la comunidad, escuelas, y seminarios legales, asi como en la television y radio.  Mitchell es quizas mas conocido por haber trabajdo como el abogado local de John Lawrence y Tyron Garner, cuyo caso en el Tribunal Supremo de los Estados Unidos, Lawrence v. Texas, cambio los estatutos de la sodomia en cada estado.  La firma esta particularmente orgullosa de su sociedad comun con la Fundacion Houston del SIDA (AIDS Foundation Houston), en la cual los abogados de Katine & Nechman dan consultas libres a cualquier persona seropositiva en cualquier materia legal el segundo martes de cada mes.

La Punta de la Piramide: La Mejor Localizacion de Houston

Katine & Nechman L.L.P. ocupa un espacio unico en el primer piso del edificio Park Plaza Central en el Periferico 610 Norte (I-610) entre las calles Ella y Shepherd Norte.  Si lineas rectas de 5 millas conectaron la oficina de Katine & Nechman y los dos centros principales del comercio en Houstonel Centro y la Galleriala oficina de Katine & Nechman estaria en la punta de la piramide. El punto focal de la oficina es una piramide inclinada de 4 pisos del vidrio que forma un atrio dramatico sobre la espaciosa y triangular sala de conferencias principal. El estacionamiento gratis y abundante, una localizacion conveniente y prestigiosa dentro del periferico, acceso facil y descongestionado al Periferico 610, y un tiempo de viaje de 10 minutos a la mayoria de las partes mas importantes de la ciudad hacen que la localizacion de la oficina sea ideal para los clientes.

Katine y Nechman L.L.P.  Esperamos con ansia a ser su firma.  Abogados que conoce. Una firma en la que puede confiar.  Hablamos su idioma.

Areas of Practice

  • Real Estate/Homeowner Associations 20%
  • Immigration 15%
  • Estate Planning/Probate 10%
  • Family Law 10%
  • Employment Law 10%
  • Disability: Long-Term/Social Security 10%
  • Criminal Law 10%
  • Lesbian/Gay/Bisexual/Transgender Law 10%
  • HIV/AIDS Law 5%
25% of Practice Devoted to Litigation

Honors and Awards

  • Houston Bar Association/Houston Volunteer Lawyers Association-Equal Access Champion, 2008 - Present

Published Works

  • Legal Implications of Treating HIV Patients, Journal of American Podiatric Medical Association, August, 1995

Classes and Seminars

  • HIV and the Law, 2 Houston Law Schools, 1999 - Present
  • LGBT Law, 2 Houston Law Schools, 2002 - Present

Pro Bono Activities

  • Houston Volunteer Lawyers Program Equal Justice Program, 2008 - Present
  • AIDS Foundation Houston Free Consultations for Those with HIV/AIDS (hosted by our office), 2008 - Present

Representative Clients

  • John Lawrence/Tyron Garner, Lawrence v Texas, USSC
  • Pine Village North Association, Inc.
  • Spring Point Condominiums
  • Memorial Club Townhouses Association

Representative Cases

Ancillary Businesses

  • Adjunct Professors of Law, University of Houston Law School
  • Adjunct Professors of Law, South Texas College of Law
  • Mediations

West Practice Categories

Administrative Law, Administrative Hearings & Adjudication, International Dispute Resolution, Mediation, RICO Act, Trade Regulation, Foreclosure & Alternatives, Commercial Leasing, International Transactions, Civil Rights, Disability & Illness Discrimination, Gay & Lesbian Rights, Sex Discrimination, Sexual Harassment, Constitutional Law, Discrimination, Eminent Domain, Freedom of Speech, Grand Jury Proceedings, Criminal Law, Criminal Fraud, DUI/DWI, Drug Violations, Federal, Felonies, Juvenile Crimes, Misdemeanor, Parole & Probation, Prosecution, Sex Offenses, Traffic Violations, Victims' Rights, White Collar Crimes, Employment Law -- Employee, Affirmative Action -- Employee, Americans with Disabilities Act -- Employee, Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) -- Employee, Employee Rights -- Employee, Employment Contracts -- Employee, Employment Discrimination -- Employee, Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) -- Employee, Federal Employer's Liability Act (FELA) -- Employee, Municipal Employment -- Employee, Pensions, Benefits & Compensations -- Employee, Sexual Harassment -- Employee, Wage & Hour Laws -- Employee, Whistleblower -- Employee, Wrongful Termination -- Employee, Employment Law -- Employer, Affirmative Action -- Employer, Americans with Disabilities Act -- Employer, Employee Rights -- Employer, Employment Contracts -- Employer, Employment Discrimination -- Employer, Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) -- Employer, Federal Employer's Liability Act (FELA) -- Employer, Municipal Employment -- Employer, Pensions, Benefits & Compensations -- Employer, Sexual Harassment -- Employer, Wage & Hour Laws -- Employer, Whistleblower -- Employer, Wrongful Termination -- Employer, Estate Planning, Elder Law, Guardianships & Conservatorships, Living Wills, Powers of Attorney and Appointment, Trusts, Wills, Family Law, Adoption, Alimony & Spousal Support, Child Support, Childrens' Rights, Collaborative Law, Custody & Visitation, Divorce, Domestic Violence & Neglect, Juvenile Law, Paternity, Prenuptial Agreements, Social Security -- Disability, Health & Health Care Law, Disability, Immigration & Naturalization Law, Asylum, Deportation, Immigration, Naturalization & Citizenship, Visas, Insurance Defense, Insurance Law, Life & Health, Title Insurance, International Law, Customs, Foreign Investment, International Arbitration, Internet - Cyberspace, Computer Crimes, Federal Appellate Practice, International Trade Litigation, US Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, US Supreme Court, Mergers & Acquisitions, Probate & Estate Administration, Estate Administration, Real Estate Law, Commercial Real Estate, Condemnation, Condominiums & Cooperatives, Conveyancing, Land Use & Zoning, Landlord/Tenant, Residential Real Estate

Attorneys

Staff

Additional Personnel

Susan Soard, Office Administrator, 713-808-1002
Peter Robledo III, Legal Assistant, 713-808-1000
Valerie Malone, Legal Assistant, 713-808-1000
H,C, Bailey, Legal Assistant, 713-808-1000

Fees

Accepts Credit Cards

Office Information

Address

1111 North Loop West
Suite 180
Houston, TX 77008-1700

Office Hours

8:00 to 6:00 pm, Mondays to Fridays (after hours and weekend appointments available)

Phones

(866) 752-3672 (Toll Free)
(713) 568-3323 (Houston, TX)

Faxes

(713) 808-1107

Emails

Contact Us
Contact Us

Websites

http://www.lgbtlawyers.com
http://www.hivlawyers.com
http://www.lawkn.com

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