Sam practices all types of commercial litigation, including oil and gas, securities, construction, real estate, and fiduciary duty matters. Sam has tried cases for plaintiffs and defendants in court and arbitration.
Sam is fabulous in court. He is a strategic partner.
- Chambers 2025
Sam Cruse stands out from the pack. He excels at handling high-stakes environmental, royalty, and contract litigation. Opposing counsel respects him and knows that he “means business”.
Sam Cruse is a great trial lawyer. He has a great courtroom presence. I am glad he is on my side!
- Legal 500 2025
Sam is our go-to. He is the first guy I want to call for complex issues. He is strategic, smart and tough in both negotiations and in the courtroom.
Sam is very strategic, smart and tough in negotiations and in the courtroom.
Sam is well organized, focused and easy to work with.
- Chambers 2024
Sam Cruse is my first call for high stakes oil and gas litigation matters. He has successfully handled several high stakes oil and gas contract and royalties disputes for us. He is a highly effective courtroom lawyer and negotiator.
- Legal 500 2023
Sam Cruse is a phenomenal lawyer. He has a terrific demeanor in court and is also phenomenal at solving problems outside of court.
Sam is an excellent lawyer
He is able to tackle problems and get to a practical solution.
- Chambers USA 2022-2023
In re Libor-Based Financial Instruments Antitrust Litigation
Sam represents the Federal National Mortgage Association in litigation involving the suppression of Libor. Fannie Mae brought claims against major financial institutions, including Bank of America, Credit Suisse, and others. Fannie Mae has secured significant, confidential settlements with four defendants. Fannie Mae continues to pursue claims against its remaining defendants. The case is currently on appeal before the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit.
Bayou Corne Sinkhole Litigation
Sam represents Occidental Chemical Corporation in the sprawling litigation resulting from the Bayou Corne Sinkhole. Oxy prevailed in a months-long arbitration in which Texas Brine Company asserted multiple defenses to arbitration, including fraud and other theories. The merits were successfully resolved through a confidential eight-week arbitration in 2023. In addition to the arbitration proceedings, Sam and the Gibbs & Bruns team won two sinkhole-related trials for OxyChem in Louisiana state court. In one of those trials, the Gibbs & Bruns team defeated a substantial fraud claim brought against OxyChem. The last case arising from this litigation, which involves claims by the State of Louisiana, is expected to be set for trial in the summer of 2026.
Oil and Gas Disputes
Sam has extensive experience in oil and gas disputes. He is currently lead counsel for different producers in a multi-million offshore dispute pending in the Southern District of Texas and a complex midstream dispute pending in Harris County, Texas. Over the past five years, he has successfully handled royalty, take-or-pay, and audit disputes on behalf of the firm’s oil and gas clients.
Trade Secrets Litigation
Sam represented the plaintiffs in a substantial trade secrets case in Harris County, Texas. The firm obtained a temporary restraining order and temporary injunction against the defendants. The firm successfully opposed the defendants’ motion to dismiss under the Texas Citizens Participation Act, where the trial court denied defendants’ motion and awarded attorneys’ fees to the plaintiffs. Following these proceedings, firm secured a substantial, confidential settlement for its clients.
Sam was co-lead counsel for the plaintiff in trade secrets action involving research and development technology for new medicines. The case settled on confidential terms after the plaintiff successfully defeated defendant’s forum non conveniens motion.
Private Equity Disputes
Sam was lead counsel for the defendant in a preemptive rights dispute pending in Delaware Chancery Court involving a billion-plus dollar project to develop an LNG export business. Sam also represents private equity clients in multiple disputes involving alternative energy businesses. One of these cases is pending in Delaware Chancery Court, and one is in arbitration.
Water Rights Disputes
Sam represents Belding Farms in a dispute with Fort Stockton Holdings, LLC and the Middle Pecos Groundwater Conservation District over groundwater production permits. Two cases arising from this long-running dispute are pending before the Supreme Court of Texas.
Trust Disputes
Sam represents the trustee of a trust holding substantial assets in a dispute with one of the trust’s beneficiaries. Most of the plaintiff’s claims were dismissed pursuant to Rule 91a and summary judgment motions. The few claims that remain are scheduled to be tried in Galveston County, Texas in the fall of 2026.
University of Texas, J.D., with high honors, 2002
Chancellors
Order of the Coif
Member, Texas Law Review
University of Texas, B.A., with honors, 1999
Named in Legal 500 USA
Energy Litigation: Oil & Gas, 2011, 2017, 2022-2025
General Commercial Disputes, 2022-2025
Securities Litigation: Plaintiff, 2021, 2023-2025
Named in Legal 500’s “Houston Elite”
Energy Disputes, 2025 – Inaugural Edition
Named in Chambers USA
General Commercial Litigation – Texas, 2024-2025
Nationwide Oil & Gas Litigation – USA, 2022-2024
Named to Lawdragon Guides
“500 Leading Litigators in America,” 2022 (Inaugural Edition)-2026
“500 Leading Lawyers in America,” 2025-2026
“500 Leading Global Antitrust & Competition Lawyers,” 2025 (Inaugural Edition)-2026
“500 Leading Energy Lawyers,” 2024-2025
“500 Leading Plaintiff Financial Lawyers,” 2019-2025
“The Plaintiff Issue,” 2020-2021
Named in The Best Lawyers in America
Commercial Litigation, 2021-2026
Litigation – Securities, 2021-2026
Energy Law, 2025-2026
Litigation – Trust & Estates, 2026
Named in Benchmark Litigation, 2015-2025
Recommended in Commercial, Energy, & Securities Litigation
Name Litigation Star – National & Texas
Named to “Under 40 Hot List,” 2016 (Inaugural Edition), 2017-2018
Named a “Texas Super Lawyer” by Thomson Reuters, 2017-2025
Named a “Texas Rising Star” by Thomson Reuters, 2012-2017
State Bar of Texas
United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas
United States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas
Houston Bar Association, Member
Alternative Dispute Resolution Committee
Houston Bar Foundation, Fellow
Harris County Dispute Resolution Center, Board of Directors
Panelist, “Analyzing and Preparing A Civil RICO Case From a Defendant’s Perspective,” Georgia ICLE RICO Seminar, November 7, 2013, Atlanta, GA