A Trial Lawyer With Business Sense

I am Bart Houston, a diversified attorney who tackles the complex as well as the simple to get results. I concentrate on complex commercial matters and related litigation in state and federal courts. Based in Fort Lauderdale, I represent small businesses and mid-sized corporations, developers and builders, lenders and other commercial clients in Broward County and South Florida. The overarching theme of my practice is helping clients achieve business resolutions through litigation and proactive legal counsel.

I have practiced in Florida for more than 30 years. I member of the Florida and Georgia Bars and admitted to practice before the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals, the United States District Courts for the Middle and Southern districts of Florida and the U.S. Bankruptcy Court.

• Read more about my credentials: Bart A. Houston

Three Decades Of Experience In Business Law

For the first 15 years of my practice, I chiefly represented debtors in Chapter 11 cases and complex Chapter 7 cases, as well as many other legal issues that are best described as business problems with business solutions. Over time, I diversified to provide general business strategy and consulting services, including structuring new enterprises, raising capital for commercial ventures or expansion, out-of-court restructuring and workouts, commercial litigation in state and federal courts and creditor representation in bankruptcy litigation. I have many longstanding clients who have been with me from the startup through exit strategy.

At times, litigation is a necessary tool to achieve business resolution and I excel in this field. I handle complex insolvency-related litigation in bankruptcy cases involving contested and adversary matters on behalf of debtors, creditors’ committees, trustees, purchasers of assets and other interested parties, with a concentration on real estate disputes.

I earned my Juris Doctor degree from Mercer University School of Law in 1986 and a bachelor’s degree in political science from Mercer University in 1983. I am “AV” rated by Martindale Hubbell* and a member of The Florida Bar, the State Bar of Georgia, the Bankruptcy Bar Association of The Southern District of Florida, Inc., and the American Bar Association.

The Modus Operandi Of The Houston Firm

We understand that business is personal. When times are tough, we will help you get through them as your partner. We will take the reins and counsel you through the best solutions for you and your business, so you can move forward with confidence in business deals or move past debt with peace of mind.

Trust is the key to the positive delivery of results. The Houston Firm is committed to helping you resolve legal problems that you fall into both in business and personally (they go hand in hand). Most of my business comes from referrals and/or repeat clients of many years. My clients trust that I will explore all options. In some cases, if necessary, I will refer some matters to my trusted team of esteemed colleagues whom I have counted on for many years. My goal is to deliver the best outcome to my clients, working with them every step of the way in understanding the issues. I don’t just work it out – I produce positive results that solve the matters that plague you and your business, producing results that matter!

Come in for your free consultation and The Houston Firm will help you strategize and achieve your goals or rebuild and recover. Beginning the process of seeking help is the hardest part. We know your rights and will vigorously assert them. Whether under bankruptcy protection or another form of workout, we will deliver them to you and help you achieve proven results, because results matter.

Three Generations Of Leaders

Bart Houston

Bart was born in 1959 in Hollywood, Florida, to J. Edward and June Houston. At an early age, he was groomed to understand how powerful the law is and that your rights matter. J Edward Houston, his father and mentor, was an attorney who attended Stetson Law School and went on to become not only a lawyer but also the youngest bankruptcy judge on the bench, as well as the president of Barnett Bank. Additionally, he was a civic leader who helped modernize Broward County in the 1970s and 1980s.

J. Edward also had a powerful beginning. Born the son of Robert Houston, Dania Beach mayor for 20 years, he also knew the power of the law and legal rights from an early age. J. Edward learned early to be a hardworking man and he worked as an early member of the Downtown Development Authority, which encouraged such cultural landmarks as the library, museum and performing arts center. He helped push for the “bed tax” on visitors that funds Broward tourism marketing. For his efforts the Fort Lauderdale News and Sentinel (now the Sun-Sentinel) gave J. Edward its “Broward Business Leader of the Year” award in 1982, highlighting his work at Barnett and in downtown development.

His smart and creative nature pushed boundaries and Bart soaked it all up like a sponge, which is why when J. Edward expressed his regret at not ever having practiced law beside his son, Bart made a decision then and there to form the Houston Law Firm and practiced with his father until his passing in 2014.

The Houston Firm is a debt relief agency. We help people file for relief under the U.S. Bankruptcy Code.