Professional Biography

For over 20 years, Cheryl L. Coon has advised clients on a broad spectrum of business and environmental issues. Ms. Coon has experience in handling due diligence in multi-million dollar real estate and corporate transactions, and she can assist in drafting and review of related transaction documents.  Her practice also includes assisting clients with business issues from forming entities to drafting or negotiating various business related documents such as non-competition agreements, consulting agreements, asset and stock purchase agreements, confidentiality agreements and employment agreements.  She also has experience in certification of minority and women owned businesses. 

Ms. Coon’s environmental practice includes counseling clients on a broad array of issues from asbestos and lead paint to underground storage tanks.  She has assisted clients with CERLA or Superfund litigation, disclosure, and settlements and with remediation under Texas laws, including under the Texas Voluntary Cleanup Program and Municipal Setting Designation Program.  Ms. Coon has experience in working with environmental consultants and experts and can assist clients in selecting a consultant, contracting with the consultant, and reviewing related reports.  She has conducted environmental due diligence for significant transactions involving acquisitions of Manhattan REIT properties, solid waste, recycling and disposal facilities, commercial airline companies, defense contracting companies, paper companies and copper tubing and wiring manufacturing companies.  Ms. Coon can also assist with issues related to determinations of wetlands, endangered species and storm water permitting. 

In the health arena, Ms. Coon’s practice generally involves advising health care related clients with regard to compliance with federal and state laws.  She has experience in evaluating proposed transactions with regard to federal Stark and Anti-Kickback laws and can assist with HIPAA issues and documents.

Ms. Coon is licensed in Texas, having graduated from Southern Methodist University, Dedman School of Law.  She is a member of the Tarrant County Bar Association, Society of Texas Environmental Professionals, the Society of Petroleum Engineers, State Bar of Texas, and serves on the Steering Committee of the Women Influencing Business Section of the Fort Worth Chamber.

Admissions & Certifications

Education

Southern Methodist University School of Law (J.D., 1989, magna cum laude)
Baylor University (B.S., 1982, summa cum laude)
Journal of Air Law and Commerce, Assistant Managing Editor (1988-89)
Order of the Coif

Professional Affiliations & Memberships

Honors & Recognitions

Publications & Presentations

• “Health Care Reform, New Fraud & Abuse Focus,” by Cheryl Coon of Shannon Gracey, Tarrant County Physician - July 2010
• “What You Need to Know about Health Care Reform,” published in the Fort Worth Business Press, May 2010
• “The Basics on the Red Flag Rules - Update for Health Care Providers,” published in the Tarrant County Physician, November 2009 
• “Top 7 Reasons You May Need an Environmental Attorney,” Published in the Fort Worth Business Press, June 23, 2009
• Overview on the Affordable Care and Patient Protection Act presented at the Health Care Reform Bill Seminar presented by Shannon Gracey and Whitley Penn, July 13, 14, 2010
• Urban Drilling and Environmental Law, Oil & Gas Seminar 2009, presented by Shannon Gracey, August 20, 2009
• Guest speaker on Medical Records Law in Texas  for Lorman Education Services -- "HIPAA-What it Covers, What it Doesn't Cover and Case Law Update," Fort Worth, Texas, February 27, 2008.
• "Environmental Law in the Barnett Shale," 59th Annual Oil & Gas Law Conference, February 21, 2008, Houston, Texas
• "Managing an Environmental Crisis and Environmental and Water Law Update," Shannon, Gracey, Ratliff & Miller, L.L.P. Oil and Gas Seminar, June 6, 2007.
• "Texas Environmental Update for Oil and Gas," Shannon, Gracey, Ratliff & Miller, L.L.P. Oil and Gas Seminar, September 18, 2006.
• "Texas Environmental Update for Real Estate Development, focusing on MSD and CERCLA," March 24, 2006, for Real Estate Development from Beginning to End: Identifying and Mitigating Risks in Fort Worth, Texas.
• "Texas Environmental Regulations for Construction Professionals:  Practical Considerations and Tips," presented at the Public Safety Laws & Issues for Texas Architects, Engineers and Construction Professionals Seminar, January 27, 2006.
• Stark Anti-Referral Regulations, Tarrant County Medical Group Administrators, Fort Worth, Texas August, 17, 2005
• New City of Fort Worth Ordinance re Environmental Remediation and Groundwater Designation, CREW July, 2005
• "Texas Water Law Overview" and "When to Report Releases to the Government," Texas Environmental Law & Compliance for Construction Professionals, Arlington, Texas, November 10, 2005
• Access to Medical Records in Litigation and Under HIPAA, Legalities of Utilizing and Maintaining Computerized and Other Medical Records in Texas, Fort Worth, Texas September 20, 2002
• Access to Medical Records, Confidentiality of Medical Records in Texas, Fort Worth, Texas May 4, 2001
• Access to Medical Records: HIPAA & Beyond, Lohrman presentation, Fort Worth, Texas September 20, 2002
• Environmental Update and Lender Liability August, 2000
• Recent Environmental Legislation in Texas, STEP Fort Worth Chapter, Fort Worth, Texas August 28, 2001
• "Get the Lead Out - Into the Open," with Billie J. Ellis, Jr., published in the August 1996 issue of The Practical Real Estate Lawyer.
• "Collateral Issues to Environmental Settlements," with Jeff Civins, published in the BNA Toxics Law Reporter October 16, 1996.