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.
Fannie Mae v. Barclays et al.
Representing Fannie Mae against Barclays and other major financial institutions in dispute concerning the suppression of the London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR). The matter is pending.
Accutrans v. Flowserve
Represented Accutrans and its subsidiary in a fraud and warranty action against Flowserve concerning industrial barge pumps. The case was tried in federal court in January 2017, and the case settled favorably before the jury returned a verdict.
Sanchez Oil & Gas v. Terra Energy Partners
Representing Sanchez in a trade secret and breach of fiduciary duty case against Terra and three individuals. Sanchez obtained a temporary restraining order and temporary injunction. The matter is pending.
Ntaki v. CHS
Represented the Chief Executive Officer of Community Health Systems, Inc. in a case brought by two doctors alleging that a Laredo, Texas hospital and affiliated parties violated federal RICO laws. The case settled favorably just weeks before a June 5, 2017 trial date.
West v. Avery
Representing the former officers and directors of Ausam Energy Corporation in a case filed in bankruptcy court by the company’s Chapter 7 Trustee. Following a contested evidentiary hearing, the bankruptcy court approved a settlement of the claims against our clients.
Dickson v. JPMorgan Chase
Represented Matrix Petroleum, Statoil, and Talisman Energy in a dispute involving title to valuable mineral interests in the Eagle Ford shale formation in South Texas. The trial court granted two motions for summary judgment in favor of our clients, and the case settled favorably while on appeal.
In re Franklin Bank Corp. Securities Litigation
Represented the former Chief Financial Officer of Franklin Bank Corporation in two class action securities lawsuits that were filed following Franklin Bank’s failure and bankruptcy in 2008. In March 2011, the court granted our client’s motion to dismiss in both lawsuits. The ruling dismissed all of Plaintiffs’ claims, with prejudice, and a final judgment was entered. Sam currently represents the former CFO in related litigation against the Securities and Exchange Commission.
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
Recognized by Legal 500 USA
Recommended in Energy Litigation, 2011, 2017
Named in Benchmark Litigation, 2015-2021
Named to the “Under 40 Hot List,” 2016-2017 (Inaugural edition), 2017-2018
Listed in Best Lawyers in America – Commercial Litigation, 2021
Named to Lawdragon Guides
“The Plaintiff Issue,” 2020-2021
“500 Leading Plaintiff Financial Lawyers,” 2019-2020
Named a “Texas Super Lawyer” by Thomson Reuters, 2017-2020
Named a “Texas Rising Star” by Thomson Reuters, 2012-2017
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