Denton Business Fraud Lawyers for Private and Mid-Sized Companies

Fraud litigation involves serious allegations that can jeopardize reputations, disrupt operations, and result in significant financial loss. From misrepresentation in business deals to complex schemes involving wire fraud or corporate misconduct, these cases often require swift, strategic legal action. Whether you’re the victim of deceptive practices or accused of wrongdoing, the stakes are high, and so is the need for experienced counsel.

Roquemore Skierski’s Denton business fraud litigation lawyers represent business owners, executives, and professionals across Texas in high-stakes fraud matters. Our clients face challenges involving corporate fraud, financial deception, investment scams, and fraudulent communications, and they rely on us to cut through complexity, protect their interests, and pursue real results.

When we take on a fraud case, we bring clarity, urgency, and a litigation strategy tailored to the facts. Whether you’re navigating claims of misrepresentation, investigating internal misconduct, or facing a federal fraud allegation, we work to uncover the truth and enforce accountability. Your reputation, your capital, and your business future are worth defending, and our approach is built to do just that.

How business fraud develops inside a company

Fraud inside a business often develops gradually, rather than appearing as one obvious act. Small irregularities begin to repeat until they form a pattern that signals something is wrong. Invoices may not align with delivery records, new vendors may be paid without proper authorization, or revenue could be booked without supporting documentation. Over time, these red flags reveal a larger scheme. A partner may be quietly skimming profits, or a manager could be inflating payroll hours for personal gain. A business fraud attorney reviews operating agreements, ledgers, and compensation records to identify the misconduct while ensuring that the company can continue daily operations with as little disruption as possible.

How business fraud is proven under Texas law

Texas law requires four elements to prove business fraud: a false statement or hidden fact, intent, reliance, and financial harm. The strongest way to meet these elements is through a clear, organized documentary record. Partnership agreements, contracts, invoices, and accounting entries can be arranged in chronological order to show the full sequence of events. This type of evidence allows a judge, arbitrator, or jury to see the fraud plainly, without relying on guesswork.

Early protective measures available through the courts

When fraud places company property, cash, or sensitive data at risk, waiting until trial may be too late. Courts can issue temporary orders to safeguard assets before a case is decided. Restraining orders and injunctions can freeze bank accounts, stop property transfers, and preserve access to confidential business information. If assets have already been diverted, forensic accountants can help track and recover them. In cases where fraud creates instability or a deadlock among owners, a receiver may be appointed by the court to manage the business until the matter is resolved. These early protections help secure the company long enough for the facts to be uncovered.

Remedies for recovering losses caused by fraud

Texas law offers businesses several remedies to reclaim what has been lost through fraud. Courts may order restitution, award damages, or place a constructive trust over property purchased with company funds. Wrongdoers may also be required to return any profits through disgorgement, ensuring they do not benefit from misconduct. In cases where fiduciary duties were breached, exemplary damages may also be available if the fraud was intentional or malicious.

If fraud threatens the ongoing stability of the business, courts may order receivership to place company assets under the control of a neutral party. These remedies give Denton business owners a path to recover financially and stabilize their operations after fraud has been exposed.

How fraud affects partnerships and business operations

Fraud can cause long-lasting damage beyond financial loss. It breaks down trust between partners, investors, and employees, often leaving relationships strained or destroyed. A single scheme may stall growth plans, interfere with financing, or spark disputes over accountability. In Denton’s close business community, reputational harm may also reach banks, suppliers, and long-standing clients.

A business fraud attorney does more than prove misconduct. They also guide business owners in stabilizing the company’s future. Depending on the circumstances, that may mean restructuring management authority, negotiating a buyout, or, in some cases, dissolving the company entirely. Preserving or protecting the business is often as important as recovering what was lost.

How company agreements shape fraud cases

The terms in a company’s own agreements often determine how a fraud case proceeds. Arbitration requirements may force disputes into private resolution, while venue clauses may establish where the case must be filed. These provisions can influence the pace, cost, and forum of a fraud claim. Our Denton attorneys carefully examine governing contracts to ensure that motions, discovery, and resolution follow the rules already set within the business, avoiding costly delays.

Where business fraud cases are heard in Denton

Most business fraud cases tied to Denton are heard in Denton County district courts. High-value governance and securities cases over $5 million may also be filed in the Texas Business Court under Chapter 25A of the Texas Government Code. This specialized forum excludes consumer and personal injury claims but can impact how cases are scheduled, the scope of discovery, and appeals. Understanding which court has jurisdiction is an important step in developing a strategy.

The role of e-discovery in modern fraud matters

In today’s business environment, digital records often form the core of a fraud case. Emails, cloud backups, and text messages can reveal approval chains, financial losses, and concealed agreements. Our lead trial lawyer is credentialed in e-discovery and develops strategies to collect digital information efficiently while minimizing disruption to business operations. By pairing technical skill with courtroom advocacy, Roquemore Skierski provides Denton businesses the clarity needed to move forward during a fraud investigation.

How Roquemore Skierski approaches resolution of a business fraud case

The process begins with targeted preservation and investigation. If records appear vulnerable to alteration, our attorneys act quickly to seek protective orders. Many fraud cases are resolved through mediation or arbitration, particularly when contracts require it. These forums provide efficiency, privacy, and finality that can benefit companies looking to move past misconduct.

When trial is necessary, our attorneys build the case with financial records, depositions, and expert analysis to present a clear story of what happened and why. This preparation gives Denton business owners the best opportunity to recover losses and protect their business interests.

our Denton Business fraud litigation lawyers

Kelvin Roquemore

Founding Partner

Kelvin Roquemore is a Founding Partner of Roquemore Skierski, specializing in business and commercial litigation, with experience in business transactions, complex litigation, M&A, and commercial real estate. With over 25 years of in-house counsel and business litigation experience, he brings a strategic approach to supporting owner-operated small and medium-sized enterprises.

Doug Skierski

Founding Partner

Doug Skierski is a Founding Partner of Roquemore Skierski, and is an A/V-rated attorney with over 20 years of experience in bankruptcy, creditors’ rights, receiverships, and commercial litigation. He holds a J.D. from Southern Methodist University School of Law and has a strong background in complex commercial litigation and arbitration.

D. Shawn Stevens

Of Counsel

Dennis Shawn Stevens is a member of Roquemore Skierski with over 20 years of experience representing clients in business litigation, commercial disputes, and insurance-related claims. He holds a J.D. from the University of Houston Law Center and advises businesses on matters involving breach of contract, construction conflicts, and complex commercial torts.

Mark Ivanyo

Of Counsel

Mark Ivanyo has experience in complex commercial litigation, including contract disputes, product liability, and premises-related claims. He has experience representing businesses in state and federal courts, as well as in arbitration and administration. Mark holds a J.D. from South Texas College of Law and holds a B.B.A. in Management from Texas State University.

Alyssa Grissom

Paralegal

Alysa S. Grissom is a paralegal at Roquemore Skierski and is Board Certified in Civil Trial Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization—an achievement held by fewer than 400 paralegals statewide. She holds an A.A. in Government, an A.A.S. in Paralegal Studies from Austin Community College, and a B.A. in Business, magna cum laude, from Concordia University Texas.

Frequently asked questions

FAQ's

What is fraud litigation?

Fraud litigation involves a civil lawsuit where a business owner alleges that another party intentionally misrepresented or concealed a material fact, causing financial harm when the owner relied on that falsehood.

How does statutory fraud in real-estate or stock transactions differ from common-law fraud?

Statutory fraud claims arise under Texas Business & Commerce Code § 27.01 and apply to real-estate or stock sales; the statute eases proof of scienter and allows exemplary damages without proving intent to deceive.

What is the statute of limitations for fraud in Texas?

Texas fraud claims carry a four-year limitations period under Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code § 16.004, but the discovery rule extends the statute of limitations until the fraud could reasonably have been discovered.

What defenses are commonly raised against fraud allegations?

Defendants typically argue lack of misrepresentation, no intent to deceive, absence of reliance, statute of limitations, waiver, or that statements were non-actionable opinions or forward-looking projections that could not be constituted as absolute statements.

How is fraud different from negligent misrepresentation?

Fraud involves intentional deception or a reckless disregard for the truth. By contrast, negligent misrepresentation, as outlined in Section 552 of the Restatement of Torts, arises when someone makes a false statement without exercising reasonable care in verifying its accuracy.

Can a company sue its own officers or employees for fraud?

A Texas corporation may file direct or derivative actions against officers, directors, or employees who commit fraud or breach fiduciary duties, seeking damages or disgorgement.

Are punitive damages available in Texas fraud cases?

Punitive (exemplary) damages are available if clear and convincing evidence shows fraud, malice, or gross negligence; Chapter 41 caps generally limit the award to the greater of $200,000 or two times economic damages plus non-economic damages up to $750,000.

When should I hire a fraud-litigation attorney?

A business owner should engage counsel as soon as suspicious conduct is detected—early legal action preserves electronic evidence, meets limitations deadlines, and increases leverage for settlement or injunctions.