David Sheeren focuses his practice on complex commercial litigation, with an emphasis on securities, structured finance, and energy disputes.
David is a member of the Gibbs & Bruns team that has recovered over $16 billion for investors in Residential Mortgage-Backed Securities (RMBS).
Prior to law school, David worked in the securities and finance practice of NERA Economic Consulting.
David is detail-oriented and does a good job of laying out the various facts in a way that are understandable. He is affable, calm and isn’t going to get riled up.
Chambers USA 2024David Sheeren is a joy to work with.
David Sheeren has excellent industry knowledge of securitization litigation issues.Legal 500 2022-2023
David is knowledgeable and accessible.
David Sheeren knows his stuff and I rate him very highly.Chambers USA 2022-2023
Media Highlights
David Sheeren – Texas Lawyer “Lawyers on the Rise” Honoree
Most Feared Plaintiffs Firm: Gibbs & Bruns LLP
Securities and Structured Finance Litigation
As lead counsel for PIMCO, Goldman Sachs Asset Management, BlackRock, and other investors, obtained victory in dispute over payment waterfall terms in 278 RMBS trusts brought by opposing hedge fund, with over $266 million at stake. Following favorable trial and appellate decisions, the hedge fund dropped its claims. (NY. Sup. Ct. 150738/2019)
As lead counsel for BlackRock, obtained complete dismissal of lawsuit by broker-dealer alleging tortious interference and unjust enrichment claims following an investment by a BlackRock-affiliated fund. (N.Y. Sup. Ct. 650939/2021)
As lead counsel for PIMCO, obtained victories in two precedent-setting matters in California and New York concerning the calculation of termination prices owed in “clean-up calls” for legacy RMBS trusts, with over $100 million at stake. (N.Y. Sup. Ct. 652307/2022 and Orange Cty. Prob. Ct. No. 30-2021-01233435)
As lead counsel for TCW and PIMCO, obtained and achieved court approval of two RMBS settlements totaling $249 million, following a June 2023 trial in Ramsey County, Minnesota. (62-TR-CV-22-9; 62-TR-CV-22-13) Obtained and act as lead trial counsel in a related $88 million settlement for TCW and PIMCO, which was tried in October 2023 and remains pending. (62-TR-CV-22-25)
Lead counsel for PIMCO in two payment waterfall disputes involving more than $1 billion in deferred mortgage principal owed to 113 Bear Stearns RMBS trusts. (N.Y. Sup. Ct. 656028/2021 and N.Y. Sup. Ct. 154984/2021)
Represented 20+ investors in disputes with JPMorgan, Bank of America, Citigroup, Lehman Brothers, and ResCap concerning RMBS trusts created prior to the financial crisis. We secured $16 billion in recoveries for investors and reformed mortgage servicing practices for hundreds of thousands of loans. We continue to represent the same investors in secondary disputes with hedge funds and monoline insurers over the distribution methodology for over $350 million of these recoveries. (N.Y. Sup. Ct. 657387/2017)
Represented investor in Ginnie Mae securitizations in suit against trustee for wrongfully usurping $10 million from collateral auctions when the trusts were terminated. Following a favorable appellate decision from New York’s intermediate court of appeals, the case was resolved.
Represent Fannie Mae in suit seeking recoveries against global banks for manipulating LIBOR and breaching their derivatives contracts with Fannie Mae.
Defended former Chief Executive Officer of major energy company in SEC enforcement matter and in civil securities litigation brought by individual plaintiffs. We successfully moved to dismiss the individual suit, and the SEC enforcement matter was resolved.
Provide ongoing advice to asset managers concerning a wide array of securitization and structured finance issues and disputes.
Complex Commercial Litigation
Successfully represented two owners of closely held company holding 40,000 acres of Texas timberlands in suit seeking the dissolution of the company and an equitable division of its assets. Following a two-week arbitration hearing, our clients prevailed and were awarded their full attorney fees. Disputes over the liquidation and asset division phases remain pending in Montgomery County, Texas and Cook County, Illinois.
Represented portfolio companies of Houston-based private equity firm in various complex disputes, including litigation over post-closing purchase price adjustments, indemnity claims, and real estate matters.
Represented barge company in fraud and breach of contract suit against manufacturer of faulty industrial pumps, which caused millions of dollars in damages to our client. Following the first week of a jury trial in federal court in Galveston, Texas, the case was resolved favorably.
Energy Litigation
Represented Vantage Drilling Company in fraud and breach of fiduciary duty suit against former director and one-third owner of company. Following several years of proceedings in Texas state court, bankruptcy court, the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals, and AAA arbitration, the case was resolved favorably.
Represented Eagle Ford operator in suits brought by royalty interest owners concerning royalty calculations and gas processing practices.
Represented Permian Basin operator in a variety of disputes with lessor concerning operator’s alleged development obligations.
Represented BHP in suit brought by non-operating working interest owner, relating to BHP’s gathering, expense deduction, and artificial compression practices.
Represented an affiliate of Kinder Morgan in dispute concerning abandonment liability for offshore pipeline segments following a significant transaction.
Harvard Law School, J.D., cum laude, 2011
Harvard Journal of Law and Public Policy, Executive Editor
Program on International Financial Systems Prize
University of Pennsylvania, B.A., summa cum laude, 2006
Economics and International Relations, Minor in Mathematics
College Alumni Society Prize in International Relations
Ranked in Legal 500 US
Recommended in Securities Litigation: Plaintiff, 2015-2024
“Leading Lawyer,” 2023-2024
“Next Generation Partner,” 2020-2022
Recommended in General Commercial Disputes, 2024
Recognized by Chambers USA, 2022-2024
“Band 3” Leading Lawyer – Texas Litigation: Securities, 2024
“Up and Coming” – Texas Litigation: Securities, 2022-2023
Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America
Commercial Litigation, 2024-2025
Named in Benchmark Litigation, 2021-2025
“40 & Under Hot List,” 2021-2023. 2025
Named to Lawdragon Guide
“500 Leading Litigators in America,” 2025
“500 Leading Plaintiff Financial Lawyers,” 2022-2024
Named a “Texas Super Lawyer” by Thomson Reuters, 2023-2024
Named a “Texas Rising Star” by Thomson Reuters’ Texas Super Lawyers, 2017-2021
Profiled in Texas Lawyer’s “Lawyers on the Rise,” 2017
State Bar of Texas, 2011
United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas
Houston Bar Association, Member
Houston Bar Foundation, Fellow