Ashley Arnett

“I was attracted to law so I could speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves.”
— Ashley Arnett

Ashley Arnett is a business litigation attorney with more than 15 years of experience with commercial disputes and civil tax matters. She thrives off the adrenaline of trial work, applying quick thinking and objective analysis to support her clients’ rights and interests. In and out of the courtroom, Ashley backs claims with logic and data to achieve the best possible outcome for her clients.

Ashley joined Hendershot Cowart in 2021, attracted by the firm’s culture of collaboration, boutique size, and the diversity of client matters. During her career, she has participated in cases in state and federal courts in Texas, Minnesota, Florida, Arizona, Hawaii, Nevada, Massachusetts, Illinois, Washington, South Carolina, Colorado, Virginia, and the U.S. Tax Court.

Ashley completed her undergraduate degree with a major in Political Science in three years, graduating with honors from Lamar University in Beaumont, Texas. Ashley is a 2008 graduate of St. Mary’s University School of Law.

Primary Focus

• Business Law
• Business Litigation
• Tax Law

Recent Significant Engagements

• Successfully represented a client under audit for not reporting ownership in a foreign corporation. The IRS found that no changes were required to the client’s tax return and did not assess penalties and interest against the client.
• Represented plaintiff, a factoring company, in a fraud and breach of contract claim, securing a judgment for plaintiff in the amount of $2,320,358.87.
• Represented a local concrete company. IRS investigated the company for failure to report income/understatement of income. IRS made no changes and did not refer to IRS Criminal Investigation.
• Served as lead counsel representing a former Subway franchise owner in a fraudulent transfer case. Jury returned a verdict of $2,241,717.76.
• Represented minority shareholder in the successful negotiation of buy-out of interest in business divorce.
• Co-counsel in winning a TRO/Temporary Injunction against stock transfer company that was threatening to release millions of shares of stock to two alleged predatory lenders.
• Represented a cryptocurrency trader under scrutiny by the IRS for failure to report a crypto exchange. No compliance actions were taken. No change in income and no assessment of penalties.
• Negotiated a favorable release and termination of franchise agreement.
• Represented plaintiff, a US veteran, in a fraud case involving investments in emeralds. Judgment for plaintiff resulted in actual damages of $45,000 and punitive damages of $250,000 plus attorney fees.
• Successfully defended client against a frivolous lawsuit filed by a vexatious litigant.

Admissions

• State Bar of Texas
• United States Tax Court
• United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas
• United States District Court of the Northern District of Texas
• United States District Court for the Western District of Texas
• United States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit
• United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit
• United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit
• United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit
• United States Court of Federal Claims
• Supreme Court of the United States of America

Education

• J.D., St. Mary’s University School of Law
• B.S, Political Science, Lamar University, cum laude