Legal Thrill Ride Ends in Court: Austin Firm Sues Roller Coaster Giant Over $1.5 Million Fee Dispute
An Austin-based law firm is taking its former client, a major European roller coaster manufacturer, to court—not for a thrill, but for an unpaid legal bill exceeding $1.5 million. The dispute highlights the turbulent undercurrents of the global amusement industry, where fierce competition over cutting-edge ride designs can spill from the theme park into the courtroom.
Hawxhurst LLP filed suit in U.S. District Court against International Amusement Rides, headquartered in Liechtenstein, and its related U.S. entity, Intamin Ltd., for breach of contract. The firm alleges the companies have refused to settle invoices for legal services rendered across several years, including representation in a pivotal intellectual property case.
"We secured a highly favorable outcome for the client in complex litigation, and now they are refusing to honor their financial agreement," stated Gerald Hawxhurst, a name partner at the firm. "It's a straightforward matter of fulfilling a contractual obligation."
As of this week, Intamin had not been formally served with the lawsuit. Sandor Kernacs, President of Intamin's Maryland-based U.S. office, declined to comment on the pending litigation.
The contested legal fees stem from Hawxhurst's defense of Intamin in a series of lawsuits initiated by Florida-based competitors, US Thrillrides LLC and Polercoaster LLC. The rivals accused Intamin of stealing proprietary "polercoaster" designs to secure a contract for "The Storm Coaster" at the Dubai Hills Mall in 2022—a compact, vertical launch coaster. The plaintiffs initially sought $40 million in damages.
The case culminated in a 2023 federal jury trial in Florida, where US Thrillrides won a verdict of approximately $3.5 million. The parties later settled for an undisclosed sum, avoiding a protracted appeal. Hawxhurst asserts its work on this case and related arbitration matters, some dating to 2020, justifies the $1.5 million fee.
Industry Context & Analysis: The lawsuit unfolds against the backdrop of a booming, $150 billion global theme park industry. As parks compete to build ever-taller, faster, and more innovative attractions, legal battles over design patents and contracts have become increasingly common. Intamin itself recently made headlines for building "Falcons Flight" in Saudi Arabia—a record-breaking coaster promoted as the world's tallest, fastest, and longest. Such high-profile projects raise the financial and reputational stakes for all involved, making reliable legal partnerships critical.
Reader Reactions:
Marcus Chen, Industry Analyst: "This is a classic 'good news, bad news' scenario for law firms. Winning a tough case is the goal, but if the client doesn't pay, the victory is hollow. It underscores the importance of clear payment structures, especially with international clients."
David Riggs, Theme Park Enthusiast: "Falcons Flight looks incredible! It's a shame the business side seems so messy. You have to wonder if this kind of legal drama slows down innovation or just comes with the territory of a competitive industry."
Sarah Feldspar, Small Business Advocate: "This is outrageous. A multinational company allegedly stiffing a relatively small law firm after they did the hard work? It reeks of corporate arrogance and shows a complete disregard for the service providers that enable their big-ticket projects."
Leo Vance, Corporate Attorney: "The filing is a tactical move to apply public and legal pressure. Often, such disputes are settled quietly post-filing. The detailed recounting of their successful defense is a clear message to Intamin's board and other potential clients about Hawxhurst's track record."