Gibbs & Bruns LLP > Houston, United States > Firm Profile

Gibbs & Bruns LLP > The Legal 500 Rankings

Industry focus > Energy litigation: oil and gas Tier 1

Litigation boutique Gibbs & Bruns LLP acts for both plaintiffs and defendants in high-stakes commercial disputes. The practice is firmly established in Texas but has a nationwide reach, representing a broad client base that ranges from major energy industry players to tech start-ups. Based in Houston, the strength of the group is reflected in the extensive experience of its practice heads; with over 50 years of trial experience, founding partner Robin Gibbs is ‘exceptional’, obtaining jury verdicts in Houston and beyond; Kathy Patrick is Occidental’s “go-to” figure for high-stakes issues; and Barrett Reasoner‘s diverse practice includes particular expertise in antitrust matters. Brian Ross is also recommended and has handled a number of force majeure disputes in relation to winter storm Uri.

Dispute resolution > Leading trial lawyers Tier 2

Kathy Patrick – Gibbs & Bruns LLP. Kathy Patrick, based in Houston, is particularly relied upon by clients for securities, antitrust, and general commercial matters. Patrick is currently representing a group of major opt-out plaintiffs in a direct action against Visa and Mastercard. Emblematic of the firm, she represents both plaintiffs and defendants and in the financial services sector, following the financial crash in 2008, Patrick represented 14 institutional investors, securing over $20bn from major financial institutions, including Bank of America, JPMorgan and Citigroup.Robin Gibbs – Gibbs & Bruns LLP. Based in Houston, founding partner Robin Gibbs‘ diverse practice involves high-stakes litigation. A recent multi-million dollar trial win was in the oil and gas sector for private client David Dunwoody, Jr. Another high-stakes case in this sector is leading a large plaintiff’s suit involving $1billion+ in cost overruns. Gibbs is also known for financial services and private client disputes; in a standout highlight he continues to represent Trustmark National Bank over many years in three lawsuits related to the collapse of the Stanford Financial Group with damages in excess of $5 billion.Barrett Reasoner – Gibbs & Bruns LLP. Houston-based Barrett Reasoner has a diverse trial practice, spanning antitrust issues through to environment, trade secrets, defamation and energy disputes. Notably as first chair lawyer, he helped to secure a total defense verdict for private client Richard Murphy, a subsea tree engineer, after a three-week jury trial in a multi-million dollar trade secrets case. Simultaneously, he was retained to represent national merchant retailers in a complex direct antitrust action against Visa and Mastercard.

Dispute resolution > General commercial disputes Tier 3

Gibbs & Bruns LLP in Houston is a boutique law firm which specialises in commercial disputes, in particular in the banking, energy, technology, and financial services sectors. The team is well-positioned to act for defendants and plaintiffs in a wide range of topics. Robin Gibbs impresses with longstanding experience as a trial lawyer. Kathy Patrick recently was part of a team that reached a $4.5bn settlement with JPMorgan on behalf of 21 institutional investor clients. Barrett Reasoner has know-how prosecuting energy client disputes and leads the practice with Gibbs and Patrick. Brian Ross  is particularly experience in the oil and gas sector and also covers force majeure cases. Securities-specialist Sam Cruse, energy and construction advisor Ayesha Najam and David Sheeren are also noted. Ross MacDonald made partner in October 2021.

Dispute resolution > Securities litigation: plaintiff Tier 3

Gibbs & Bruns LLP in Houston is a litigation boutique focused on high-stakes commercial litigation, particularly in the banking, energy, technology, and financial services sectors. The firm, which handles both plaintiff and defense work, has a strong record of success in securities cases against banks relating to mortgage-backed securities, some of which remain pending. It is currently pursuing a $242m settlement for a legacy RMBS deal sponsored by First Franklin / Merrill Lynch. Kathy Patrick and up-and-coming partner David Sheeren , who jointly lead the practice, are handling the case for investment managers PIMCO and TCW. They are also handling disputes on behalf of financial institutions arising from the distribution of a $2.4bn settlement awarded against Lehman Brothers for its role in RMBS transactions.