Mukul S. Kelkar is a deeply experienced trial attorney, with a focus on representing clients in complex commercial litigation, construction, shareholder/partnership and real estate disputes. With more than 16 years of experience, his practice is defined by a long record of success in high-stakes disputes, having tried more than 45 bench trials and jury trials.

Mukul delivers strategic, result-driven solutions tailored to his clients’ business objectives. Clients value his practical approach, responsiveness, and ability to resolve high‑stakes matters efficiently.

Before joining the firm, Mukul served as Assistant District Attorney for the Fort Bend County District Attorney’s Office and worked in private practice.

Mukul is recognized for his litigation work, recently named on the “Ones to Watch” list for The Best Lawyers in America and is the recipient of several legal awards from Texas Lawyers and the South Asian Bar Association. He is also fluent in Marathi and proficient in Spanish.

Practice Areas

  • Commercial Litigation
  • Construction Litigation
  • Shareholder/Partnership Litigation
  • Real Estate Litigation

Experience

  • Partner, Wright Close Barger & Guzman, LLP, 2026
  • Partner, Dentons, 2015-2026
  • Associate, Hawash Meade Gaston Neese & Cicack LLP, 2015
  • Attorney, Stephen B. Diamond, P.C., 2013 – 2015
  • Attorney, Nguyen Chen, LLP, 2011 – 2013
  • Assistant District Attorney, Fort Bend County, 2010 – 2011

Representative Cases

  • Obtained a full defense verdict in a $3M construction defect jury trial.
  • Won a $1.5M jury verdict for a wind power company.
  • Managed a $2M construction defect arbitration that settled favorably for the client.
  • Won a summary judgment on a $35M claim on a breach of a personal guaranty.
  • Won a summary judgment on $20M claim against a real estate broker.
  • Won summary judgments for several General Contractors for catastrophic injuries sustained on jobsites.
  • Represented a property developer in a multi-million-dollar breach of a loan guaranty.
  • Represented a real estate investor in a breach of contract involving the sale of a commercial property in Houston.
  • Brought claims on behalf of a physician investor against a hospital system for fraud, breach of contract and violations of the Texas Securities Act.
  • Represented realtors on whistleblower claims for violations of the Texas and Illinois False Claims Acts.

Memberships

  • President, South Asian Bar Association – Houston chapter, 2022-2023, Winner of the Asian Pacific Interest Section Affiliate of the Year
  • President-Elect, South Asian Bar Association – Houston chapter, 2021-2022
  • Member, SMU Dedman School of Law Emerging Leader Board
  • Pro Bono General Counsel – Virtuosi of Houston
  • Member, Texas Bar Foundation
  • Member, Houston Bar Association

Awards

  • Recognized, The Best Lawyers in America, “One to Watch,” in Commercial Litigation, 2024-2025
  • Recipient of the Texas Lawyer‘s 2019 “Professional Excellence Awards – On the Rise” award for his “mark on the legal profession in the Lone Star State and beyond”
  • Recipient of the South Asian Bar Association’s 2016 “Rising Star Award”