Probate Litigation
Jeff Chambers has handled numerous matters in probate Court, including will contests and claims against and incident to trusts and estates. Chambers represented as lead counsel certain prevailing defendants against Anna Nicole Smith in the longest probate jury trial in Harris County history. Chambers has also represented heirs in probate property disputes.
Probate Litigation
Jeff Chambers, as lead counsel for two trusts, obtained a complete defense verdict on behalf of his clients in the case popularly known as the Anna Nicole Smith case. Both Anna Nicole Smith and J. Howard Marshall, III brought $1.6 billion in claims against the estate of J. Howard Marshall II and various other entities, including those represented by Chambers. The jury found no liability for any of Chambers’ clients, and the Court entered a final judgment that plaintiffs take nothing on $1.6 billion in claims against Chambers' clients. In addition, the jury awarded Chambers' clients over $10,000,000 on claims for fraud and tortious interference, and the Court entered judgement for $10,000,000 in favor of Chambers’ client the Bettye B. Marshall Trust.
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As co-lead counsel Jeff Chambers, defeated a $7,000,000 claim brought against his client by Haverford College. Chambers represented the estate of a wealthy and prominent Texan when Haverford College sued the estate to collect on alleged pledges and promises by the deceased to provide money to Haverford. The college’s evidence included signed pledges. Our evidence included an extensive file that the college kept on our client, including our client’s drinking habits, and communicating other intimate details about our client’s personal life. In the end, despite the college’s evidence of pledges, we received a verdict from the jury that defeated Haverford’s multi-million dollar claims in their entirety.
As co-lead counsel in a multi-billion dollar estate dispute, Chambers obtained a preliminary relief finding that a trustee acted with hostility toward her beneficiary and that in probability the trustee committed multiple breaches of fiduciary duty.
Click here to see order.
Click here for articles concerning the case
As co-lead counsel Jeff Chambers, defeated a $7,000,000 claim brought against his client by Haverford College. Chambers represented the estate of a wealthy and prominent Texan when Haverford College sued the estate to collect on alleged pledges and promises by the deceased to provide money to Haverford. The college’s evidence included signed pledges. Our evidence included an extensive file that the college kept on our client, including our client’s drinking habits, and communicating other intimate details about our client’s personal life. In the end, despite the college’s evidence of pledges, we received a verdict from the jury that defeated Haverford’s multi-million dollar claims in their entirety.
As co-lead counsel in a multi-billion dollar estate dispute, Chambers obtained a preliminary relief finding that a trustee acted with hostility toward her beneficiary and that in probability the trustee committed multiple breaches of fiduciary duty.
Click here to see order.