John Strawn, co-founder of Strawn Pickens LLP, has handled a range of complex commercial disputes, including recent matters for Kinder Morgan entities involving demurrage claims and partnership-by-estoppel theories. He also represents trustees in ongoing litigation against leadership of Houston’s Second Baptist Church concerning alleged governance overreach and control of $1bn in assets. Strawn’s work spans trial and arbitration forums, often alongside or against national firms, with a practice rooted in long-term institutional clients and high-stakes one-off disputes.
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Accolades

Houston Elite

Key clients

  • Kinder Morgan Liquids Terminals LLC and Kinder MorganEnergy Partners L.P.
  • Kinder Morgan Treating L.P.
  • Valero Energy, Ltd.
  • Unconventional Gas Solutions LLC
  • Whitney Oil & Gas LLC/Trimont Energy LLC
  • Jeremiah Counsel Corp.
  • Harris County Hospital District
  • Maverick Engineering, Inc.
  • Chemcad LLC

Work highlights

Representing Jeremiah Counsel Corp. in a lawsuit challenging bylaws that allegedly stripped Second Baptist Church members of voting rights and centralized control, including appointing the former pastor’s son.
Representing Kinder Morgan in a dispute with Union Pacific Railroad over approximately $4–5 million in demurrage fees for delayed railcars at Kinder Morgan’s tank terminals.
Representing Kinder Morgan Treating LP in a $4 million breach of contract case against Pantheon Oil & Gas LP involving a gas plant project.