Austin, TX commercial litigation attorney Walter V. Williams shares the story of a memorable real estate dispute he handled. He recalls representing a Canadian company that had come to Austin to invest in apartment complexes. In one particular transaction, the company purchased a property for $9 million—though, in reality, it was worth closer to $6 million. Recognizing the disparity, he filed a lawsuit on behalf of the client, and the case went to trial in Travis County, where they ultimately secured a seven-figure verdict.

What made the case especially memorable, he explains, was the background of the defendant—a Chinese national who had been enslaved as a child in China. He felt deep empathy for her experiences, and the jury did as well. However, that sympathy did not excuse the misconduct that had occurred in connection with the transaction, and the verdict reflected the clear evidence of wrongdoing despite the difficult circumstances of her past.