Energy and Natural Resources

• Tried multimillion-dollar federal case on behalf of a gas drilling company involving the provision of oilfield services. Successfully obtained a no liability verdict for the client.
• Tried multimillion-dollar contractual dispute involving fracking equipment in U.S. bankruptcy court. Successfully obtained a defense ruling for the client.
• Tried $100 million contractual dispute involving natural gas sales.
• Represented mineral owner in dispute with mining company concerning ownership rights. Presented argument and evidence during multi-day temporary injunction hearing.
• Represented an energy and resources consulting company at arbitration involving a million-dollar business valuation dispute.
• Successfully obtained dismissal and an award of sanctions in favor of client under the Texas Citizens’ Participation Act in response to a $35 million tortious interference suit brought against client by a wind energy developer.

Toxic Torts

• Represented the United States as lead counsel in all claims and cases filed against the United States stemming from the federal response to the Flint Water Crisis in Flint, MI.
• Represented the United States as lead counsel in $50 million litigation arising from an outbreak of Legionnaires’ disease at the VA Hospital in Pittsburgh, PA. Led a team responsible for litigating over two dozen cases and claims, including many alleging wrongful death.
• Represented the United States as deputy lead counsel in $100 billion multidistrict product liability litigation featuring 40,000 plaintiffs who alleged injurious formaldehyde exposures due to the government’s provision of emergency trailers following Hurricane Katrina. Oversaw all scientific/medical aspects of the case. Obtained the dismissal of all claims against the government by drafting a series of motions based on never-before-used state emergency management statutes. Later argued before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit and obtained a published affirmance. In re: FEMA Trailer Formaldehyde Prods. Liab. Litig., 668 F.3d 281 (5th Cir. 2012).
• Represented the United States as lead counsel in $90 million action brought by nearly 200 plaintiffs who alleged take-home exposures to lead and cadmium due to computer recycling operations at a federal correctional institution in Marianna, FL. Engaged in significant bellwether plaintiff discovery and subsequently secured the voluntary dismissal of all claims.
• Represented the United States in multidistrict litigation stemming from alleged water contamination at Camp Lejeune, NC.
• Represented the United States in a wrongful death case brought by the family of the first person to die from the 2001 anthrax mail attacks. Jointly handled the mediation at the close of discovery, resulting in resolution.
• Represented the United States as appellate counsel in an appeal stemming from the dismissal of personal injury and wrongful death claims related to toxic mold contamination. Argued before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit and obtained a published affirmance. Garcia v. U.S. Air Force, 533 F.3d 1170 (10th Cir. 2008).
• Represented the United States as lead counsel in a case brought by an electrical cooperative that alleged federal firefighters negligently caused the destruction of their property during a wildfire in eastern Oregon. Successfully obtained dismissal of the action.
• Represented the United States in a case brought by a family alleging serious heart and brain injuries caused by alleged exposures to carbon monoxide in a government facility.
• Represented the United States in a case brought by a plaintiff alleging debilitating neurological problems caused by exposure to toxic mold in a government facility. Following the production of expert reports, secured a voluntary dismissal.
• Represented the United States as lead counsel in a wrongful death suit brought by the family of a U.S. magistrate judge. Successfully obtained dismissal of the action.

Other

• Represented individual in a healthcare non-competition dispute against former employer.
• Representing individuals in high-visibility matters involving the Catholic Church abuse scandal in Houston, TX, and the wrongful death of a Peace Corps volunteer.
• Pro bono, representing death row inmate Rob Will in habeas proceedings before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit.
• Aided the DOJ Antitrust Division in the Aetna-Humana merger litigation. Assisted the trial team during a two-week bench trial that resulted in the merger being enjoined.
• Represented the United States in the prosecution of six defendants who, as part of the “Occupy DC” movement, took over a government building in Washington, D.C. After a highly publicized jury trial, secured guilty verdicts as to all six defendants.
• Represented the attorney general as appellate counsel in an appeal stemming from a decision of the Board of Immigration Appeals. Argued before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit and obtained a published affirmance. Toufighi v. Mukasey, 538 F.3d 988 (9th Cir. 2008).