The Pettit Law Firm and Lynn Pinker Hurst & Schwegmann Win High-Stakes Trial for Real Estate Developer

A Dallas County jury has handed a complete victory to Houston real estate developer Ronny Hecht and Hecht G.P., clearing Hecht of claims that he breached his duties to his business partners in the sale of a North Dallas property.

Hecht was represented by co-counsel Julie Pettit of The Pettit Law Firm and Michael K. Hurst of Lynn Pinker Hurst & Schwegmann. The verdict followed years in which Hecht faced sustained backlash and attacks on his character.

The judgment following a hard-fought, two-week trial before Judge Maria Aceves in the 192nd Civil District Court in Dallas County.

The dispute centered on Hecht’s decision, as general partner, to sell a former LA Fitness location in North Dallas property for $8.5 million — well below the $14.5 million the limited partners believed it should command. The sale led to the breakup of the partnership and a wave of lawsuits among the partners, with the partnership alleging that Hecht had breached his fiduciary duties in approving it.

The twelve plaintiffs repeatedly framed Hecht’s decision as a “mistake.” In her closing argument, Pettit turned that characterization back on the plaintiffs, telling jurors: “Making a mistake or having different business judgment than perhaps Ronny had does not rise to liability… He just wants his life back.”

The jury sided with the defense, fully vindicating Hecht. It rejected the claim that he had breached his fiduciary duties as general partner, along with the related allegations targeting his character.

Read more about the case in The Texas Lawbook.