FORT WORTH, TX — Will Northern, along with Crescendo Development, LLC and Crescendo Concerto No. 1 Management Co., LLC, has filed an official response in Tarrant County District Court to a lawsuit brought by former business partner and Fort Worth City Council member Michael Crain.
In their Original Answer, filed June 27, 2025, Northern and the Crescendo entities deny all allegations contained in Crain’s petition and demand strict proof of each claim as required under the Texas Rules of Civil Procedure. The filing also includes a self-authentication notice under Rule 193.7, confirming that any documents produced in the discovery process may be used in pre-trial proceedings or at trial without the need for authentication.
The filing concludes with a request that the court dismiss all claims, assess legal costs against the Plaintiff, and award any additional relief deemed just and proper.
In a public statement, Will Northern responded directly to the lawsuit:
“We are disappointed by the recent lawsuit filed by Michael Crain, which is not only meritless but appears to be a calculated attempt to weaponize the legal system for personal gain.
Mr. Crain has filed a lawsuit to interfere with a much-needed redevelopment of the Woodhaven area. As a member of the Fort Worth City Council, he has officially recused himself from any issues related to that redevelopment process, which is well underway. Filing this lawsuit will clearly interfere with that process.
Mr. Crain’s petition contains a number of false allegations. Neither myself nor Mr. Goldthwaite have done anything wrong. This lawsuit is little more than an attempt by Mr. Crain to force himself into a project in which he has invested no effort and no money.
I and my companies—Crescendo Development, LLC, Crescendo Concerto No. 1 Management Co., LLC, and Woodhaven Concerto No. 1, LP—categorically deny all allegations of wrongdoing. These companies were formed and operated independently and transparently, with no violation of the governing agreements of the Northern Crain entities.
Contrary to Mr. Crain’s claims, the businesses in question are not competitive with the Northern Crain companies. The Crescendo entities are real estate investment and development companies—not brokerages or property management firms—and in fact, they have engaged Northern Crain Realty and Property Management for services, generating revenue for the shared companies.
I remain confident that the facts and the law are on our side. My legal team will vigorously defend against these baseless claims and continue our work to revitalize the Woodhaven community and contribute positively to Fort Worth’s growth.”
In response, Michael Crain’s attorney, Avery McDaniel of the Law Office of Avery McDaniel, issued a statement clarifying the nature of the legal action:
“Mr. Crain’s 503-page Petition, supported by extensive exhibits, sets forth a detailed factual timeline of alleged wrongful conduct by Will Northern, with the involvement of Tyler Goldthwaite, attorney for the Northern Crain companies.
Contrary to Mr. Northern’s public statements, this matter is not an attack on the Woodhaven development. Rather, it is a business dispute between Mr. Crain and Mr. Northern. Mr. Crain has no intention of interfering with the Woodhaven project, and Mr. Northern has not identified any specific actions by Mr. Crain that would disrupt its progress.
In fact, Mr. Crain’s claims arise from the success of the development and the alleged improper means by which Mr. Northern sought to benefit from it.
At its core, this dispute centers on Mr. Northern’s alleged exclusion of Mr. Crain from a significant and potentially lucrative business venture; one that, according to the Petition, was advanced through the improper use of the Northern Crain companies’ confidential information, resources, and personnel.
Mr. Northern’s attempts to alarm the Woodhaven community are misleading and appear designed to cast himself as a victim, while deflecting attention from the serious allegations regarding his conduct toward a longtime friend and business partner.”
The legal process is now underway, with both parties committed to pursuing their claims and defenses through the judicial system.
