Josh Bowlin

Josh Bowlin grew up in Pasadena, Texas.  Remember the movie Urban Cowboy? The central gathering spot in that movie was Gilley’s, which was a stone’s throw away from his family’s home.  Everyone was blue collar, and most dads worked in the refineries just down the road.  Growing up around regular folks who worked in oil & gas and construction gave Josh an understanding of what it means to do an honest day’s work.  As a young boy, Josh had a schoolmate whose dad was seriously injured at work.  These memories, along with growing up in the heart of the oil industry, are what sparked his passion for working in the law.  Helping the individuals and businesses making these industries work is what Josh enjoys most about his practice.

Josh graduated with honors from Southwestern University in Georgetown; but his education has taken him from London to Beijing. He graduated from the University of Texas School of Law, where he was a Presidential Scholarship recipient. Following graduation, Josh began his career with a well-respected national firm, Chamberlain Hrdlicka, where he quickly rose to the rank of partner.

In 2016, Josh wanted to fulfill his dream of opening his own law firm where he could take all of his life experiences and use them to help good people.  He founded Walston Bowlin with his long-time friend Cliff Walston to do just that, and they welcomed Mark Callender in 2022 to form Walston Bowlin Callender.

Clients come to Josh when they need a lawyer with grit, but Josh also prides himself on being able to take complicated situations and find creative solutions.  Sometimes the only resolution is money, but other times reaching an agreement takes creativity.

Josh’s litigation skills have landed numerous courtroom and arbitration victories, including disputes between oil & gas and construction companies, partnership and shareholder disputes, trade secret misappropriation cases, and “bet-the-company” cases.

EDUCATION

• Southwestern University, Bachelor of Arts with Honors, summa cum laude
• University of Beijing, China
• University College of London
• The University of Texas School of Law, Juris Doctorate

AWARDS

• “Top Lawyers in Houston” by H-Texas Magazine 2013-2017
• Texas Super Lawyers Rising Star, Business Litigation 2012-2017
• Fellow, Texas Bar Foundation
• Presidential Scholarship Recipient, University of Texas School of Law
• Mundy Research Fellow

PUBLICATIONS AND SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS 

• “Deep Impact – Why the In re Deepwater Horizon Opinion Matters for Construction Contracts and Additional Insured Insurance Coverage,” The Critical Path, June 2015
• Planning today for your future tomorrow – How to grow, save and protect your business and your wealth – Panel Discussion, Remodeler’s Counsel, January 2015
• “Federal Rule 26 & Expert Communications,” DRI Construction Blog, August 2014
• “ESI in Arbitrations: Creative Solutions,” DRI Construction Blog, August 2014
• “Long Arm of the Law Affirms Default Judgment Against Chinese Manufacturer,” The Critical Path, May 2014
• Presenter for “Texas Construction Litigation: Staying in the Field and Out of the Courtroom,” to RCI, Inc., an international association of professional consultants, architects, and engineers who specialize in the specification and design of roofing, waterproofing and exterior wall systems, November 2013
• “Despite Recent Chinese Drywall Settlements, Texas Catches Whiff of the Rotten Egg Litigation and You May, Too,” The Critical Path, January 2013
• “Avoiding and Resolving Extra Work and Delay Claims: Practical Strategies for Creating Realistic Work Schedules, Dealing with Delays and Resolving Overage Costs,” American Conference Institute, Construction Litigation, February 29-March 1, 2012
• “Covering Your Assets: How to Make Sure the Accountant Being Sued Is Not You,” Houston 34th Annual Tax and Business Planning Seminar, November 2011
• “Salty Medical Bills? Applying Haygood v. Escabedo in Admiralty Cases in Texas,” August 2011

ADMISSIONS

• State of Texas

SIGNIFICANT CASES

• Cleveland Construction, Inc. v. Levco Construction, Inc., 359 S.W.3d 843 (Tex.Civ.App.—Houston [1^st Dist.] 2012). Represented general contractor and tried this case to a successful verdict obtaining actual damages of $465,809.57 plus attorneys’ fees in the amount of $988,521.75, plus prejudgment interest for a total award of $1,569,058.11 plus post judgment interest. (Construction Matter and Breach of Contract)
• Levco Constr., Inc. v. Whole Foods Mkt. Rocky Mountain/Sw. L.P., No. 01-15-00620-CV, 2017 Tex. App. LEXIS 7614 (Tex. App.—Houston [1st Dist.] Aug. 10, 2017, no pet. h). First Court of Appeals affirmed trial court judgment, awarding all damages, attorneys’ fees, interest and attorneys’ fees for successful appeal. (Construction Matter and Breach of Contract)
• Represented former President and CEO of oil and gas products and services company in negotiating a separation and release agreement in addition to successfully increasing the company’s offer to purchase of client’s equity by almost 2.5 times. (Business / Partnership Dispute)
• Represented 50% owner in South Texas car dealership by successfully invoking buy-sell agreement in a partnership dispute and successfully resolving a buy-out of the individual’s ownership interest. (Business / Partnership Dispute)
• Vineyard Services, LLC v. ACT Advance Catastrophe Tech., Inc., et. al.; Cause No. 2016-36208; In the 189^th District Court of Harris County, Texas. Represented contractor in negotiating favorable settlement to outstanding payment applications and defending arguments of duplicative and unnecessary work and charges. (Construction Matter and Breach of Contract)

Read more about Josh Bowlin’s successful case results HERE.