SOUTHEAST TEXAS RECORD

GALVESTON - A League City law firm seeks a temporary restraining order against its former partner, recent court documents say.

Collins, O'Neal & Swofford PLLC's application for TRO is part of a lawsuit targeting attorney Robert A. Swofford, which was filed Sept. 16 in Galveston County District Court.

The firm's remaining partners, Shana O'Neal and Wayne D. Collins, are individual plaintiffs in the litigation.

According to the original petition, the complainants terminated Swofford, who is alleged to have "demonstrated behavior detrimental to the well-being of the firm and its employees."

"The plaintiffs seek this temporary restraining order to maintain the status quo for all parties and their clients during this period of transition and to protect the assets and estate of Collins, O'Neal & Swofford PLLC without business disruption or loss," the suit says.

It additionally requests that Swofford and his practice not reach out to "any existing or prior client, accountant, banker, banking institution, vendor, referral source, business relation or employee of" the claimants as well as "not to make any disparaging remarks and keep the details of this termination and related issues confidential and that any detailed evidence or pleadings be filed under seal."

O'Neal and Collins insist they "have no adequate remedy at law because the plaintiffs attempted self-help in good faith to address this issue with Swofford."

"Nothing can prevent the defendants from forever harming the assets and client relationships," the suit says.

"Time is of the essence and the plaintiffs have attempted contact to advise the defendants of this filing."

The complainants are representing themselves, and Galveston County 405th District Court Judge Michelle Slaughter is presiding over the case.

Case No. 13-CV-1186