Gregory S. Hudson

Member

Gregory S. Hudson focuses his practice on insurance coverage matters, and has experience in first and third party defense matters and bad faith claims for domestic and overseas carriers. He has also represented clients in complex product liability and toxic tort litigation involving both fact development and complex e-discovery management. Greg routinely consults with corporate and insurance clients regarding litigation matters, and represents those clients in both trial and appellate matters.

Greg earned his undergraduate degree, cum laude, from Trinity University and his law degree, cum laude, from the University of Texas School of Law.  Greg has been married for 20 years, and has two children, Sarah (12) and Christian (9).

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Experience

Provided appellate counsel, and argued motions and objections to the court to preserve error for any potential appeal, in a case in which we secured a favorable jury verdict in a dispute centering on a multi-car, commercial-motor-vehicle accident for which the client stipulated to liability. The plaintiffs sought nearly $3.5 million in damages, but the jury awarded less than 8 percent of that amount.

Obtained an appellate victory for the insurer in a coverage dispute stemming from a tragic and highly publicized accident at a sponsored amateur drag race, after which the injured families filed a lawsuit against the event's sponsor. The insurer had issued a 24-hour CGL policy to cover the event, but it excluded "bodily injuries" including death arising from a "motorized vehicle" accident. Reversing an unfavorable ruling by the district court on the parties' cross-motions for summary judgment, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit cited many of the arguments set forth in our brief and during oral argument, and remanded to the trial court with instructions to grant the motion for summary judgment and hold that the insurer has no duty to defend or indemnify.

Won summary judgment, and successfully defended appeal of same, for an insurer on a COVID-19 business interruption claim filed in Texas state court for which the client's potential exposure was approximately $25 million. 

Advise property insurance companies regarding policy forms and construction and provide coverage advice relating to catastrophe claims, COVID coverage under property policies, and obligations in responding to policyholder demands.

Routinely advise insurance carriers regarding obligations and options when presented with policy limits demands.

Successfully defended a client against claims of fraud and breach of fiduciary duty.  LMP Austin English Aire, LLC v. Lafayette English Apartments, LP 654 S.W.3d 265 (Tex.App.—Austin 2022)

Secured summary judgment in a products liability action. Nguyen v. ATD Tools, 2023 WL 3984196 (S.D.Tex. 2023)

Secured summary judgment for a managing general agent against claims involving wrongful policy issuance and breach of contract. Case No. 2021-03754; Heymi Trucking LLC, et al. v. Adriatic Insurance Company, et al.; In the 127th Judicial District Court, Harris County, Texas

Secured affirmance of summary judgment in a FELA case.  Mendoza v. Union Pacific Railroad Company, 2022 WL 1117698 (5th Cir. 2022)(unpublished opinion)

Convinced the court to uphold a trial verdict in a subrogation matter involving issues regarding the admissibility of expert testimony. Zbranek Custom Homes, Ltd. v. Allbaugh, 2015 WL 9436630 (Tex.App.—Austin 2015)

Obtained dismissal of a property damage claim arising from catastrophe issues. Heller v. ACE European Group,. Ltd., 2014 WL 12599402 (S.D.Tex.2014)

Won summary judgment in favor of an insurer in a matter concerning prior damage existing at the location of an alleged storm loss.  Evanston Ins. Co. v. Kinsale Ins. Co., 2018 WL 4103031 (S.D.Tex. 2018)

Publications

Fifth Circuit Reaffirms Appraisal and Bad Faith Jurisprudence as Policyholders Continue to Probe for Opportunities [Avoiding Insurance Bad Faith Blog]

February 12, 2025

The United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit upheld a summary judgment granted to the insurer over a policyholder’s argument that payment of an appraisal award and interest may extinguish an insurer’s liability under contract but not under tort....

Texas Supreme Court Reinforces the Eight Corners Rule, Or Does It? [Alert]

March 25, 2020

Alissa Christopher and Greg Hudson discuss Richards v. State Farm Lloyds and whether the absence of a clause requiring a carrier to defend claims that are “groundless, false or fraudulent” means that the “eight-corners” rule does not apply when determining the existence of a duty to defend.

Texas Supreme Court Clarifies Whether Bad Faith Liability May Exist in Absence of a Policy Breach [Global Insurance Alert]

April 20, 2018

Greg Hudson discusses the Texas Supreme Court's decision in Menchaca v. USAA Texas Lloyds Company. The court articulates five rules when extracontractual causes of action are available even when there has been no breach of the insurance policy and clarifies the procedural steps a court should follow in determining which rule applies.

Is It Bad Faith to Exercise a Contractual Right? [Avoiding Insurance Bad Faith Blog]

December 14, 2017

A recent malpractice case highlighted this issue.  In Johnson v. Proselect Insurance, the doctor/insured contended that the insurer acted in bad faith by settling a claim after trial without the doctor’s consent.  The doctor contended that the case should have been appealed, which would have...

Texas Amends Insurance Code In Response To Weather Claims [Avoiding Insurance Bad Faith Blog]

August 14, 2017

On May 26, 2017, Texas Governor Greg Abbot signed into law Texas House Bill 1774/Senate Bill 10. The new law makes changes to the Texas Insurance Code that will impact the way in which weather claims are brought and how those claims may be defended. The new law becomes effective on September 1,...

Industry Sectors

Insurance

Education

  • University of Texas–Austin, J.D., cum laude, 1994
  • Trinity University, B.A., cum laude, 1991
  • Texas
  • Texas Supreme Court
  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit
  • U.S. District Court -- Eastern District of Texas
  • U.S. District Court -- Northern District of Texas
  • U.S. District Court -- Southern District of Texas
  • U.S. District Court -- Western District of Texas
  • Houston Bar Association
  • State Bar of Texas
  • Texas Bar Foundation