Brian is a native Houstonian and Harvard Law graduate who became a partner at Gibbs & Bruns in 2008. While Brian regularly excels and wins in the courtroom and arbitration hearings, he also prides himself on solving his clients’ problems outside the courtroom whenever possible. Brian’s happy clients include some of the world’s largest energy companies, healthcare organizations, private equity funds, software companies, individual investors, and even other lawyers.
When he is not representing clients or spending time with his wife and two children, Brian is a tireless advocate for non-profit cancer organizations. A lymphoma survivor himself, Brian has served on the Board of Trustees of the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) Texas Gulf Coast Chapter, and was previously named the chapter’s “Man of the Year” after raising what was then a record-setting amount of money for blood cancer research. Brian appeared on a national TV advertisement for the University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center.
Confidential International Arbitration
Served as lead counsel in a confidential international arbitration proceeding over a significant natural gas supply contract. After a final hearing on the merits, Gibbs & Bruns’s client won an eight-figure monetary award and a favorable declaration regarding the application of certain contract terms going forward.
Harris County, Texas, et al. v. International Paper Company, et al.
Led a multi-firm, joint defense effort with respect to the drafting and oral argument of complex jury charge in the trial of a lawsuit brought by Harris County, Texas against the firm’s clients Waste Management, Inc. and affiliates. In the lawsuit, Harris County sought to impose billions of dollars in civil penalties against the defendants in connection with alleged pollution of the San Jacinto River. After the close of evidence and completion of the Court’s jury charge conference, in which Brian successfully advocated for numerous key components of the Court’s final jury charge, the plaintiff agreed to settle for less than 1% of the amount sought at trial.
The Reynolds & Reynolds Company v. Superior Integrated Solutions, Inc.
Represented a major provider of automotive dealership management systems in federal litigation involving claims of copyright infringement, complex antitrust issues, tortious interference with contracts and other issues. We successfully moved to dismiss the antitrust and other counterclaims alleged against its client and the case later settled amicably.
Peregrine Pipeline Company, L.P. v. ETC Texas Pipeline, Ltd.
Served as co-lead counsel in a four day arbitration on behalf of the Texas subsidiary of a large natural gas pipeline company in an arbitration dispute brought by the seller of a pipeline against our client. At the end of the final day of the arbitration hearing, the matter settled for a small fraction of the amount claimed on terms favorable to our client.
D. Bobbitt Noel, Jr. v. Devon Energy Production Co., LP, et al.
Served as co-lead trial counsel for Plaintiff in a fraud and breach of fiduciary duty case involving buy-out of minority interests in Chief Holdings, LLC. Won a $196 million judgment after a five week jury trial and defeated all of Defendants’ counterclaims. Defendants appealed the case. Following oral arguments in the 14th Court of Appeals in November 2012, the parties reached a confidential, mutually acceptable settlement that fully resolved the matter.
Dobrowski L.L.P. v. Pamela Baker
Served as lead counsel for a Houston law firm in substantial fee dispute against the law firm’s former client. Successfully obtained binding AAA arbitration award for 100% of the actual damages claimed by the law firm, plus attorney’s fees and a finding of no liability on the part of the law firm.
In re Enron Corp. Securities Litigation
Represented fourteen former outside directors of Enron Corporation in defense of over 100 consolidated shareholder lawsuits arising out of the company’s bankruptcy.
Francis D. John v. Key Energy Services, Inc.
Represented Plaintiff chairman/chief executive officer in a suit for the alleged breach of an employment contract and stock option agreements.
Harvard Law School, J.D., 2002
University of Texas, B.A., with high honors, 1999
Phi Beta Kappa
Listed in The Best Lawyers in America
Commercial Litigation, 2020-2024
Named in Benchmark Litigation, 2012-2024
Recognized by Legal 500 US
“Next Generation Partner” Energy Litigation: Oil & Gas, 2017-2022
Recommended in General Commercial Disputes, 2020, 2022
Named to Lawdragon Guides
“500 Leading Lawyers in America,” 2022 (Inaugural Issue)-2024
“500 Leading Energy Lawyers,” 2024
Named a “Texas Super Lawyer” by Thomson Reuters, 2018-2023
Named a “Texas Rising Star” by Thomson Reuters, 2008-2009, 2012-2016
Named “Man of the Year” by the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, 2012
Named to “40 Under 40” Professionals List, Houston Business Journal, 2011
Named one of Houston’s “Professionals on the Fast Track” by H-Magazine, 2009
State Bar of Texas
United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit
United States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas
United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas
United States District Court for the Western District of Texas
Houston Bar Association, Member
Houston Bar Foundation, Fellow
Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) Texas Gulf Coast Chapter, Board of Trustees