Representative Matters:
- Served as co-lead trial counsel in defending Colonial Pipeline Company in the first case to be tried arising from the rupture of four petroleum pipelines and the largest inland gasoline spill in U.S. history and a large fire. The plaintiffs claimed personal injuries and property damage, and sought millions in punitive damages. Following a 12-week trial, a Jefferson County (Beaumont), Texas, jury rendered a unanimous verdict of no liability and causation on behalf of Colonial. These plaintiffs were part of a larger group of 17,000 persons who brought suit in more than 40 lawsuits filed in five counties, and the trial was selected by The National Law Journal as the nation’s top environmental/toxic tort defense victory in one of 15 cases in various categories receiving similar recognition.
- Represented a large independent oil and gas company in a suit seeking to recover damages and other relief against a joint interest owner acting as operator for numerous oil and gas wells. The case involved the operator’s conduct of operations related to a multiple well drilling program covering a large geographic area and claims relating to virtually every aspect of the development of the field, and the case was settled on terms very favorable to the client.
- Represented a major oil and gas company in a suit brought by a non-operating working interest owner, complaining of many aspects of the design and completion of a deep Wilcox well, and seeking to recover significant damages, including loss of production and out of pocket drilling costs, arising from a dry hole. The case was settled on very favorable terms.
- Represented current and former employees of an independent oil and gas company responsible for developing a substantial oil field in South Texas in a suit brought by royalty interest owners claiming trespass and seeking to invalidate leases included in the drilling unit surrounding a prolific oil and gas well; summary judgment was granted in favor of the clients by the trial court and affirmed by the Court of Appeals.
- Represented various parties in cases involving drilling problems and equipment failures, including blowout preventers, tubulars, and downhole tools, resulting in loss or damage to oil and gas wells.
- Represented a London insurance consortium and its insured, a drilling contractor, in a suit brought against the suppliers of defective oil field casing to recover monies paid out by the insurers and the uninsured losses of the drilling contractor. After three days of trial, the case settled for an amount that covered all losses sustained by the insurers and the insured contractor.
- Defended claims against operators alleging damage to surface estate.
- Represented the owner and operator of a large natural gas pipeline that was struck by a third-party contractor resulting in an explosion that killed one person and injured others and resulted in multiple lawsuits and regulatory action. Involvement began in the immediate aftermath of the incident and continued through the resolution of the litigation matters.
- Represented an energy company in connection with a salt dome gas storage facility gas release and fire, participated in the response to the incident in anticipation of litigation and claims, and defended the company in litigation brought by area residents and businesses.
- Represented petrochemical company in connection with a large refinery explosion resulting in substantial property damage; responded to the scene within twenty-four hours of the occurrence and assisted with issues involving regulatory agency investigations, claims by community members, and issues related to anticipated litigation.
Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.