Philip D. Racusin

Philip D. Racusin delivers what busy executives need most: strategic legal solutions that protect their business interests while letting them focus on growth. With nearly two decades of experience spanning complex litigation, corporate transactions, and emerging technologies, Philip combines the tactical precision of a seasoned litigator with the forward-thinking approach of a serial entrepreneur. Whether defending against eight-figure claims, structuring business transactions, or navigating regulatory challenges, he delivers results that protect both your immediate interests and long-term success.

Philip is a problem solver who has successfully guided businesses through their most critical challenges – from defending a Big Three automaker's statewide litigation portfolio to securing multi-million-dollar victories in complex commercial disputes. His approach combines meticulous preparation with creative strategy, whether he's invalidating opposing experts to achieve settlements for less than 3% of claimed damages or securing take-nothing judgments in seemingly unwinnable cases. This track record of converting challenging situations into favorable outcomes has made him a trusted advisor to businesses ranging from startups to medium-sized and large enterprises.

With more than a decade of experience with cryptocurrency, Philip founded the firm’s cryptocurrency practice area. Using his deep technical understanding of blockchain technology combined with legal expertise, he has successfully represented clients in complex cryptocurrency disputes, including fraud allegations, asset recovery, and regulatory compliance matters.

“I am someone who has loved crypto and have been attempting to understand the technology, the import of it, the ecosystem, how it's evolving, and the intersection between crypto and law, since 2011."

Philip also devotes a portion of his practice to intellectual property and corporate law – working on corporate formations, transactions, contracts, employment law, and other matters, as well as trademarks and IP protection. When working with Philip, clients should expect a highly planned and fact-driven legal strategy and a collaborative approach to addressing short-term and long-term risk.

A seasoned entrepreneur who has founded multiple businesses, Philip’s hands-on experience building and scaling businesses gives him invaluable insight into the pressures his clients face. This insight helps him craft practical solutions that work in the real world, not just on paper.

“My experience as a litigator and transactional attorney help me craft legal strategies for my clients that prioritize growth opportunities and avoid strategic errors.”

Skilled at weeding out flaws in his opponent’s arguments, Philip has successfully resolved disputes related to agreements and contracts, intellectual property, trade secrets, vendor and partnership agreements, purchase and sale agreements, construction, non-compete provisions, and breach of fiduciary duty, defamation, and other matters. He has also been involved in multi-million-dollar transactions and advised businesses on a multitude of legal issues, including structuring, exposure, transactional, and other issues.

Philip joined Hendershot Cowart P.C. in 2024, drawn by the firm's collaborative culture and commitment to sophisticated legal work across diverse practice areas. He recognized that the firm's team approach – perfectly aligned with his belief that the best outcomes come from combining deep expertise with multiple perspectives.

“Hendershot Cowart takes on matters ranging from simple and straightforward to contentious, messy, and serious disputes – all with an expectation of delivering the best and most efficient outcome for their client.”

Philip has been featured for his insights on client and legal matters in Forbes magazine, the New York Times, Houston Business Journal, and the Houston Chronicle, and has appeared on CNBC.

Outside of work, Philip and his wife like to travel with their daughter, allowing her to explore and learn about the world at an early age. Philip also works hard to keep up with his daughter’s competitive gymnastics schedule and lends a helping hand whenever he can.

How Attorney Philip Racusin Helps Businesses Succeed

• Business Litigation: From contract disputes to partnership dissolutions, protecting your interests when relationships sour
• Corporate Counsel: Formation, transactions, and ongoing advice to help businesses grow strategically
• Intellectual Property: Protecting trade secrets and proprietary information from misappropriation
• Emerging Technologies: Including cryptocurrency and blockchain matters for forward-thinking businesses
• Employment Law: Defending against claims while helping create compliant workplace policies
• Construction Law: Representing contractors and owners in defect claims, payment disputes, and delay damages

Primary Focus and Experience

• Business Law
• Business Litigation
• Cryptocurrency Disputes
• Employment Law
• Contract Law
• Intellectual Property
• Construction Law

Significant Engagements

• Represented defendants in multi-million-dollar breach of contract lawsuit resulting in complete settlement and plaintiffs paying defendants.
• Collaborated on a $5 million counterclaim victory and successfully defended clients in $119 million litigation.
• Won a take-nothing judgment at trial on a clear liability case.
• Won and upheld on appeal motion for summary judgment against a seven-figure catastrophic personal injury and wrongful death case.
• Invalidated experts resulting in construction case settlement for < 3% of damages sought.
• Conducted depositions and participated in arbitrations, securing a $2.3 million award for clients.
• Successfully guided HOA officials through severely disputed and legally contested elections.
• Successfully represented defendants in complex construction litigation and environmental-construction litigation involving considerable damages.
• Effectively defended “Big Three” automaker’s extensive statewide litigation docket.

Admissions

• State Bar of Texas
• United States District Court for the Northern District of Texas
• United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas
• United States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas
• United States District Court for the Western District of Texas

Education

• J.D., University of Houston Law Center
  • Senior Article Editor on Houston Journal of International Law
• B.S., Commerce, University of Virginia, McIntire School of Commerce
  • Dean’s List, Scholarship Recipient, Madison House 300-Hour Service Award