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
Accolades
Client satisfaction: Lawyer & team quality
Client satisfaction: Billing & efficiency
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