Joseph R. Larsen

Joseph R. Larsen has a varied general and commercial practice which has led to extensive appellate experience including before the Texas Supreme Court and the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals. He counsels corporate clients on nearly every aspect of business, from employment law, including trade secrets and noncompetes, to creditor’s rights and bankruptcy.

Joe is a widely recognized go-to attorney in all aspects of media representation including prepublication, subpoenas, defamation and access to court cases and under freedom of information laws. He is a national expert and high-profile speaker on media law and recipient of the 2010 James Madison Award from the Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas.

Representative Cases and Experience

Represented clients in two different reported cases before the Texas Supreme Court, one representing a real estate financier regarding the extent of agency in a purported real estate deal and the other regarding application of the Texas Open Meetings Act to the Texas Senate.
Represented the State of Texas before the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals on the constitutionality of a penal provision in the Texas Open Meetings Act.
Represented taxpayers challenging constitutionality of City of Houston TIRZ designation.
Represented various newspapers and broadcasters in defending against defamation claims, including reported cases on appeals of denial or granting of summary judgment.
Represented numerous media entities and individuals in litigation and before the attorney general under the Texas Public Information Act in matters against various state and local governmental bodies with at least six reported cases.
Represented several mortgagor service companies in cases for wrongful foreclosure.
Represented creditors and third parties in bankruptcy cases including litigation over preferences and fraudulent transfer.
Represented an internet dating site in negotiating a purchase of assets out of bankruptcy.
Represented copyright claims regarding norteño singer’s claim to use his own name.
Represented candidate for Texas state office regarding primary opponent’s use of candidate’s name in a registered internet domain name.
Defended insurers, chemical plants and businesses in numerous personal injury and wrongful death cases.

Reported Cases

State v. Doyal, 539 S.W.3d 136 (Tex. Crim. App. 2019)
Kallinen v. City of Houston, 462 S.W.3d 25 (Tex. 2015)
Gaines v. Kelly, 235 S.W.3d. 179 (Tex. 2007)
In re Texas Senate, 36 S.W.3d 119 (Tex. 2000)
Sullo v. Kubosh, 616 S.W.3d 869 (Tex. App.—Houston [1st Dist.] 2020, no pet.)
In re Kubosh Bail Bonding, 522 S.W.3d 75 (Tex. App.—Houston [1st Dist.] 2017, original action)
City of Houston v. Kallinen, 576 S.W.3d 617 (Tex. App.—Houston [1st Dist.] 2017, no pet.)
Cortez v. Johnston, The Dallas Morning News, ALM Media & Lowy, 378 S.W.3d 468 (Tex. App. – Texarkana 2012, pet. denied)
Hearst Newspaper Partnership, L.P. v. Macias, 283 S.W.3d 8 (Tex. App.— San Antonio 2009, no pet.)
Brown v. Lanier Worldwide, Inc., 124 S.W.3d 883 (Tex. App.–Houston [14 Dist.] 2004, no pet.)
The Baytown Sun v. City of Mont Belvieu, 145 S.W.3d 268 (Tex. App.– Houston [14 Dist.] 2004, no pet.)