Charles Rosson devotes his practice to complex commercial litigation, representing both plaintiffs and defendants in state and federal court and in domestic and international arbitrations. Charles’ experience includes antitrust, breach of contract, transnational law, and energy matters.
Charles joined Gibbs & Bruns in 2017 after beginning his litigation career with Vinson & Elkins, LLP in Houston.
Enterprise Products Operating LLC v. Amec Foster Wheeler USA Corp.
Trial and appellate counsel to Enterprise in a lawsuit against a terminated EPC contractor and its British parent concerning large petrochemical refinery constructed in Mont Belvieu, Texas. Following an appeal to the Supreme Court of the United States and a three-month trial, the defendants paid Enterprise $115 million to settle the case.
NASDAQ – John Wood Settles Litigation Case With Enterprise For $115 Mln; Stock Down
Lone Star Production Co., et al. v. EP Energy E&P Company, L.P, et al.
Represented Lone Star and other holders of oil-and-gas interests as plaintiffs in a lawsuit concerning the release of more than 30,000 acres of leases in the Permian Basin. Following extensive litigation, the lawsuit settled favorably.
Workrise Technologies, Inc.
Lead counsel to Workrise Technologies in numerous matters in state and federal courts and in arbitration. Trial and appellate counsel in obtaining and affirming on appeal a summary judgment victory in a challenge to the use of noncompetes against independent oil and gas contractors. Trial and appellate counsel in successfully defeating a tortious interference claim brought by a competitor, which had significant industry implications.
Video – Stories from the Field: David Will
Law 360 – Consulting Co. Can’t Sue Contractor for Switching Firms
Law 360 – Oil and Gas Staffer Dodges Contractor Recruitment Suit
Occidental Energy Marketing, Inc., et al. v. NuStar Logistics, LP
Represented plaintiffs in a lawsuit focused on pipeline integrity. The dispute arose from a project to refurbish and reverse flow on an existing NuStar pipeline for Oxy to transport and export LPG; after the pipeline ruptured during the commissioning phase, Oxy terminated its contracts. Tried the case to the bench for several weeks, after which case settled confidentially.
Magema Technology v. Phillips 66
Appellate counsel representing Phillips 66 in a patent infringement dispute concerning fuel-refining technology. Appeal is pending before the Federal Circuit.
Confidential International Oil & Gas Arbitration
Representing the Respondent in a confidential international arbitration regarding Winter Storm Uri transactions. The Claimant seeks more than $450 million.
Confidential Biotechnology Arbitration
Obtained a $15 million breach-of-contract arbitration award for a global biotechnology company against a major competitor in a dispute involving DNA-based identity testing.
Wilder v. Titan Chem. Corp.
Obtained a directed verdict following jury trial on behalf of an international petrochemicals company, in a breach-of-contract lawsuit involving its former chief executive officer.
Confidential International Arbitration
Secured an award for a natural gas and refined petroleum products pipeline operator following an ICDR New York-seated breach-of-contract arbitration under Brazilian law.
Post-Trial Proceedings
Defeated a writ of garnishment seeking to collect more than $1 billion from an international oil and gas company.
Other Trial Experience
First-chaired more than a dozen jury trials in conjunction with the City of Houston’s Volunteer Prosecutor Program. Obtained asylum following trial for an individual and his family, who were violently persecuted in their home country based on their religious beliefs.
Georgetown University Law Center, J.D., 2010
Executive Editor, Georgetown Journal of International Law
Moot Court, Best Individual Applicant, International Moot Court Competition (2010),
Semi-Finalist (2009)
University of Texas, B.A., 2007, Government
Named in Benchmark Litigation, 2022-2024
“40 & Under” List, 2022-2024
Named to Lawdragon’s “500 Leading Energy Lawyers,” 2024
Named a “Texas Rising Star” by Thomson Reuters’ Texas Super Lawyers, 2020-2024
Listed in Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch, 2021
Commercial Litigation
Energy Law
State Bar of Texas
United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit
United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit
United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas
United States District Court for the Western District of Texas
Houston Community Health Centers, Inc.
Member, Board of Directors (2016-2022)
Texas Bar Foundation, Fellow (2018-present)
“International Litigation: Forum Non Conveniens,” The International Lawyer (2012–2013) (co-author)