Gibbs & Bruns litigation boutique continues its national recognition in leading legal directory, Legal 500 US. The 2018 directory ranks Gibbs & Bruns LLP as a “Top Tier Firm” in Energy Litigation. The firm is also recommended in the areas of General Commercial Disputes and Securities Litigation: Plaintiff.
Litigation powerhouse Gibbs & Bruns LLP has significant experience in representing energy clients, such as Occidental Petroleum, ExxonMobile, Kinder Morgan and Chevron, in contentious matters, both on the plaintiff and defendant side.
Gibbs & Bruns LLP provides a ‘consistently outstanding level of service’ and ‘does a particularly effective job of communicating with its clients, even when those clients are part of a large group’. With its roots in Houston, the firm has a pre-eminent reputation in energy litigation, though its strength in general commercial litigation sees it taking on cases in forums throughout the country. The firm also stands out for its trial work.
Partners Robin Gibbs, Kathy Patrick and Barrett Reasoner are highlighted on the highly-selective “Leading US Trial Lawyers” shortlist which names just 59 lawyers nationwide. Partners Aundrea “Andi” Gulley and Brian Ross are, respectively, named on the General Commercial Disputes and Energy Litigation: Oil and Gas “Next Generation Lawyers” shortlists.
LEADING TRIAL LAWYERS
Robin Gibbs – Gibbs & Bruns LLP
Robin Gibbs maintains a broad commercial litigation specialism, and is representing Sanchez Oil & Gas and two related public companies in a trade secret misappropriation claim against its three former employees and Terra Energy Partners. In addition to managing trade secrets work, Gibbs handles construction and engineering disputes; for example, he is acting for Enterprise Products Operating in a suit against Amec Foster Wheeler pertaining to the construction of a petrochemical refinery in Mont Belvieu, Texas.
Kathy Patrick – Gibbs & Bruns LLP
The ‘superb and reliable’ Kathy Patrick handles securities litigation as well as commercial cases, with highlights including enforcement of buyout agreements and defending a client against allegations of market allocation conspiracy. Patrick secured a settlement with the plan administrator for Lehman Brothers and other debtors on behalf of 14 institutional investor clients in the Lehman Brothers bankruptcy proceedings.
ENERGY LITIGATION: OIL & GAS
Gibbs & Bruns is one of only four law firms recognized in “Tier 1” for Energy Litigation: Oil and Gas in Legal 500’s 2018 rankings. Robin Gibbs is lauded as a “Tier 1 Leading Lawyer” for, one of just eight lawyers recognized in the nation in this category. Brian Ross continues his recognition as a “Next Generation Lawyer” for Energy Litigation: Oil & Gas – one of just four lawyers noted nationwide is this category.
Litigation powerhouse Gibbs & Bruns LLP has significant experience in representing energy clients, such as Occidental Petroleum, ExxonMobile, Kinder Morgan and Chevron, in contentious matters, both on the plaintiff and defendant side. Recent mandates saw the team filing a petition and request for injunctive relief on behalf of Sanchez Oil & Gas against three former employees and their new employer Terra Energy Partners related to the alleged misappropriation of trade secrets; the case is continuing along to trial after the denial of a mandamus petition was filed by the defendant. The representation of Enterprise in an engineering/construction lawsuit against Amec Foster Wheeler concerning delays and cost overruns at the construction of a petrochemical refinery was another highlight. In other work, the group successfully defended Tennessee Gas Pipeline Company against a damages claim brought by Plains Gas Solutions connected to the alleged breach of a gas processing contract. Robin Gibbs and Brian Ross are recommended.
SECURITIES LITIGATION: PLAINTIFF
Gibbs & Bruns is ranked among just 14 total firms highlighted in the editorial for Securities Litigation: Plaintiff. Kathy Patrick is recognized in the elite Tier 1 shortlist of Leading Lawyers for this practice area.
Gibbs & Bruns LLP in Houston is ‘consistently outstanding’ and clients describe its lawyers as ‘prompt, responsive, knowledgeable and practical in their advice’. The firm is ‘at the top of its class in this practice area’, according to one client and, despite its boutique size, it punches above its weight in securities litigation with ‘a barrister-style practice that can take any case and try it effectively’. The firm’s ‘star partners’ include Kathy Patrick, of whom one client says ‘there is no one better at assessing complex matters and negotiating resolutions’. Patrick, Scott Humphries and David Sheeren reached a $2.42bn settlement with the plan administrator for Lehman Brothers Holdings Inc on behalf of 14 institutional investors in regard to residential mortgage-backed securities (RMBS) claims. The same team also helped secure the approval of a $4.5bn settlement with JPMorgan for RMBS cases. Robert Madden retired from the firm but founding partner Robin Gibbs remains active and is a highly regarded trial lawyer.
GENERAL COMMERCIAL DISPUTES
Gibbs & Bruns is recognized for its strength in General Commercial Disputes along with many of the nation’s top AmLaw 100 firms. Partner Aundrea “Andi” Gulley is recognized on the elite shortlist of “Next Generation Lawyers” in this practice area.
Gibbs & Bruns LLP provides a ‘consistently outstanding level of service’ and ‘does a particularly effective job of communicating with its clients, even when those clients are part of a large group’. With its roots in Houston, the firm has a pre-eminent reputation in energy litigation, though its strength in general commercial litigation sees it taking on cases in forums throughout the country. The firm also stands out for its trial work. A team including Mark Giugliano, Anthony Kaim and Jeffrey Kubin has been representing Chevron in a dispute arising out of its withdrawal from ownership of the Trans-Alaska Pipeline System; the team has obtained a string of successes for Chevron in the case, which is now pending a petition for review with the Texas Supreme Court. Other notable litigators include founding partner Robin Gibbs, Scott Humphries, Aundrea Gulley and ‘star partner’ Kathy Patrick.
