Houston-based litigation powerhouse Gibbs & Bruns LLP oversees major trials and appeals, with a particular concentration in energy, financial services, and complex commercial litigation. At the helm are Kathy Patrick, who is frequently entrusted with bet-the-company trials, major appeals, and multi-party disputes, and Barrett Reasoner, a veteran in business and contract conflicts, including claims framed in fraud, fiduciary duty, and professional liability. The firm’s co-managing partners, Michael Absmeier and Ashley Kleber, anchor the next layer of leadership: Absmeier is widely recognized for leading energy and commercial trials, while Kleber is a go-to litigator for sophisticated business disputes, including professional liability matters. Additional depth comes from Gabriel Kaim and Robin Gibbs, whose practices are rooted in high-level commercial litigation, private client and fiduciary disputes, while Brian Ross handles a mix of contracts, fraud, and operational disputes for energy and infrastructure clients. Michael Doman is another key name to note.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- 'Barrett Reasoner is an excellent trial lawyer with good judgment and effective advocacy. He is well-connected and well-liked in the legal community.'
- 'Gabriel Kaim is a hard-working, up-and-coming trial partner. Robin Gibbs is a top-notch trial lawyer who you can rely on to work hard on your case.'
- 'Michael Doman is a hard-working, rising star associate that you want on your trial team.'
- 'Gibbs & Bruns has high-quality and experienced lawyers across the firm and they work together well as a team. They have a well-deserved reputation handling professional liability matters. Their written advocacy and briefing is top notch.'
Key clients
- Google LLC
- Occidental Petroleum Corporation
- Pacific Investment Management Company (PIMCO)
- Winston & Strawn
- Carlyle
- Ryan, LLC
- X Corp.
- Kinder Morgan
- Atlas Sand (formerly Hi-Crush Permian Sand)
- Cockrell Investment Partners, L.P.
- Anadarko
- Reynolds and Reynolds
Work highlights
Serving as replacement lead trial counsel for Google in a multistate antitrust and DTPA action brought by Texas and 16 other states alleging monopolization of the online advertising technology market. The case seeks over $50 billion in civil penalties and injunctive relief and runs parallel to the DOJ’s federal ad-tech action.
Serving as lead trial counsel for a group of 17 major US retailers, known as “The Target Plaintiffs,” in long-running antitrust litigation alleging Visa and Mastercard conspired with issuing banks to fix interchange fees and restrain competition in the payment-card market. The case - one of the largest private antitrust actions in US history - seeks over $17 billion in damages (trebled under the Sherman Act).
Serving as lead defense counsel to Winston & Strawn LLP in high-stakes legal malpractice and fiduciary-duty dispute brought by the bankruptcy trustee of failed fintech startup With Purpose Inc. (d/b/a GloriFi). The trustee seeks $1.7 billion in alleged damages.
Practice head
Kathy Patrick; Barrett Reasoner
Other key lawyers
Michael Absmeier; Ashley Kleber; Robin Gibbs; Brian Ross; Michael Doman; Gabriel Kaim