What Can We Help
You With Today?

SMB - Business

ELO's business practice is grounded in real world business experience and driven by our 30+ year litigation and trial practice. We are uniquely positioned to help our SMB (Small & Medium Businesses), franchise owners and savvy entrepreneurs protect, and grow their business. We can handle any matter including complex niche industries including health care, commercial construction and aviation.

FES - Franchise & Entrpenueral Support

Need an experienced lawyer who understands you and your endeavors? With an entrepreneur who has experience as a litigator - as well as an Area Developer for a national franchise and a franchise unit owner - at the helm of ELO, we can provide unique support and insight to our franchise unit owner and entrepreneur clients. We can help you build and protect your business.

Litigation

With more than 30+ years of civil litigation and trial experience, ELO can help you recover damages or defend your business - both in and outside of the courtroom. We can handle any a wide variety of commercial litigation matters including disputes in the health, construction and/or aviation industries.

Personal Injury

If you or someone you love is seriously injured (or has died) and it was not your or their fault, we can help you recover damages. For 30+ years we have prosecuted (and defended) a wide variety of tort cases including trucking accidents, aviation crashes, products liability and medical malpractice.

Practicing Law in Texas Since 1995

wE CAN HELP YOU BE PROACTIVE. Be STRATEGIC

Business &
Franchise Law

Our comprehensive business practice offers hourly and unique flat-fee plans designed to provide business clients including franchise unit owners with strategic and cost effective legal support that is tailored to their individual business needs and their stage of growth. Let's grow together.

Free Consult!

Why Choose ELO?

  • Personal attention.
  • Experienced. Practicing since 1995 also with business experience including as an Area Developer and franchise unit owner.
  • Efficient communication.
Book a Free Consultation

"Having an experienced lawyer that I can work with on a daily basis and who knows my business is invaluable to me."

Brent Nedbalek

Brent Nedbalek

"For more than 20 years, Rick has represented the interests of the Alberta Workers Compensation Board and its workers who were injured or killed in the United States. His office is known for its diligence, communication, and results."

Anci Fortolocsky

"Great law firm! My family and I will always be grateful to Rick and his staff for their excellent work and dedication. They were always very communicative and explained everything every step of the way. Even though my case was very complex we had a great outcome. I will always be grateful to Rick for his support and treating my case with care and respect but above all caring and treating us like family."

Hugo & Amparo Reyes

predicitable and Cost Effective fee Options

Flat Fee Plans For
Business Clients

Small business and SME clients only. Amount is for attorney fees only. Expenses are not included.

No contract -cancel on prorated basis after first month.

Core

Small businesses, startups, and new franchise owners in the Houston Region including Spring, The Woodlands, Conroe, Magnolia, and Tomball who need foundational legal support to establish and grow their operations.

$1500 /month
  • Contract Drafting and Review: Up to 4 (5 page) documents/month (e.g., vendor agreements, NDAs).
  • Consults. Up to 2 hours/month of consultation time during office hours.
  • 1 hour initial and quarterly consult and compliance review
  • Monthly newsletter with legal insights for Texas business owners.
Choose Core

Strategic

Growing SMBs, franchise owners and entrepenuers in the Houston Region - including Spring, The Woodlands, Magnolia, and Tomball - who need more comprehensive legal counsel to scale operations, manage and protect a franchise, business or idea.

$3000 /month
  • Everything in Core plus:
  • Up to a total of 8 (5 page) documents /month drafted or reviewed.
  • Up to 4 hours/month of Franchise & Entrepreneur support including unit franchise agreements, leases, advertising issues, HR issues etc. (This is in addition to the 2 hours/month of general consult.)
  • 1 hour initial and monthly consult and compliance review
  • 1 corporate formation per quarter. (Does not include state fees).
  • A dedicated client portal for status, communication and document management.
Choose Strategic

Elite

Business owners, Franchisees, entrepreneurs, executives and individuals who need a strategic legal advisor and advocvate available daily for proactive counsel and rapid response.

$5000 /month
  • Everything in Core & Strategic plus:
  • Unlimited documents and contracts drafted and reviewed.
  • Expedited (24 hr) review and/or drafting on request.
  • Unlimited consults during normal business hours.
  • Unlimited corporate formation PLUS entity management. (Does not include state fees.)
  • This is LIMTED to only 5 clients to ensure attentive service.
  • Ask about availability.
Choose Elite

Of course, more traditional retainer and hourly fee agreements are also available.

Serious Injury or death?

Personal Injury &
Wrongful Death

Not Your Fault?

  • Catastrophic Personal Injury & Wrongful Death Cases.
  • Trucking Accidents.
  • Products Liability Cases including Aviation crash cases.
  • Select Medical Malpractice Cases.
  • Select Civil Rights Cases - Unreasonable Use of Force.
download your Free Personal Injury Guide Book a Free Consultation

For more than 20 years, Rick has represented the interests of the Alberta Workers Compensation Board and its workers who were injured or killed in the United States. His office is known for its diligence, communication, and results.

-Anci Fortoloscky, Manager |Third Party Recoveries
| Legal Services Department of the AWCB

Great law firm! My family and I will always be grateful to Rick and his staff for their excellent work and dedication. They were always very communicative and explained everything every step of the way. Even though my case was very complex we had a great outcome. I will always be grateful to Rick for his support and treating my case with care and respect but above all caring and treating us like family

-Hugo and Amparo Reyes

Result: A policy limit settlement in a Civil Rights case brought in Federal Court after a Sherriff shot Hugo and his truck on I-10. Hugo was life flighted to a local hospital where he underwent surgery and was in the ICU.

Please Note: We cannot guarantee the same or a similar result. Please contact us to discuss the facts of your potential case.

Our Lawyers

Rick A. Eckerson, Attorney
& Managing Member

With over 30 years of of experience, including litigation, business law, and actual franchise operation experience, Rick, leads our law office with a commitment to innovative, client-focused legal solutions. Admitted to practice before all Texas State Courts, the Southern, Northern, Eastern, and Western Districts of Texas, the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals, the Federal Court of Claims, and various other state courts Pro Hac Vice, Rick brings a wealth of experience to every case. From his early career as an associate at Fulbright & Jaworski (now Norton Rose Fulbright) to his current role heading a dynamic law practice, Rick’s career spans complex commercial litigation, personal injury representation, and strategic business counsel. An entrepreneurial view and notable tenure as an Area Developer and franchise unit owner, provides Rick with a unique insights into the legal and operational challenges faced by franchisees and SMBs. His philosophy centers on being a trusted legal partner, combining decades of courtroom experience with a modern, accessible approach.

Disclaimer: Results May Vary; Please Book a Free Consultation to discuss your needs and for specific legal advice based on your facts and circumstances.

  • Licensed In all Texas courts since 1995. Also licensed in Northern, Southern, Western and Eastern Federal District Courts of Texas, the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals, and the Court of Federal Claims
  • United States Counsel For Alberta Workers Compensation Board in Alberta Canada for the past 23+years
  • Former Area Developer and Unit Franchise Owner - WineStyles

Tracy C. Eckerson, Attorney

Tracy has handled and assisted with a wide variety of tort and business cases. From mass tort cases like Phen Phen to single event tort cases, Tracy's work ethic, caring attitude and attention to detail ensures that our family and our office runs smoothly. Licensed in Texas since 1995, Tracy is admitted to all Texas State courts.

  • Licensed in Texas.