Energy Litigation

BakerHostetler’s Energy team, twice recognized as Energy Group of the Year by Law360, advises and defends clients daily on matters related to oil and gas, infrastructure projects, electric power, and renewable and alternative energy. More than 80 lawyers across the country are active members of the Energy team, and many have technical degrees or have worked inhouse with major energy companies. We leverage that hands-on experience to advise and protect our market-leading clients in virtually every type of case and proceeding nationally and around the world.

With more than 400 litigators across the United States, we have the geographic diversity and experience to defend clients at the state, federal and international levels. These disputes involve contractual obligations, exploration and development operations, regulatory compliance and enforcement, eminent domain, drilling contracts, licensing agreements, patent infringement, trade secrets, tax matters, leasing issues, antitrust concerns, maritime law, toxic torts, product liability claims, and other matters. We represent a wide range of clients in the energy industry, including:

Oil and gas companies
Pipeline companies
Project owners, developers and contractors
Oil field service companies
Mining and metals companies
Landowners
Governmental agencies
Private equity funds
Venture capital firms
Financial institutions and lenders
Investors
Real estate investment trusts

After a month-long trial, recovered more than $74 million in damages for an independent oil and gas exploration and production company. The award was based on a counterclaim asserting gross negligence and willful misconduct on the part of the operator in the construction of a processing facility, which exceeded the authorized budget by millions of dollars.
Lead counsel for national oil and gas trade associations in the industry’s successful opposition to the United States Bureau of Land Management’s (BLM) rulemaking related to hydraulic fracturing on federal and Indian lands.
Represented a pressure control system manufacturer after a well blowout killed two members of the energy crew, injured two others and destroyed the workover rig.
Represented one of the largest oil field service providers in a two-week arbitration, including providing the panel with testimony for 11 straight days. The contract at issue involved providing wireless communication services to drilling rig locations in North America and was argued by the claimant to be a “take or pay” type of contract. The claimant originally sought damages in excess of $100 million. After the close of evidence, the panel issued a reasoned award, granting a unanimous defense verdict for our client.
Represented Siemens Westinghouse Power Corporation (SWPC) in an American Arbitration Association proceeding brought by EPC contractor, The Shaw Group/Stone & Webster, Inc., against SWPC. The dispute arose out of the construction of an electric power generating plant built in Arizona. The proceeding involved approximately $50-$70 million in claims for delay, disruption, inefficiencies, acceleration, extra work and liquidated damages.
Represented a drilling rig operator in a joint venture dispute arising from contracts with Pemex and operations offshore Mexico. After 10 months of motion practice and negotiations, the company ultimately recovered more than $35 million and maintained its contracts with Pemex.
Secured a jury verdict of more than $60 million for a global oilfield services and equipment company after a six-week trial on claims that two former officers of a subsidiary entity misappropriated tens of millions of dollars from the company by engaging in undisclosed related-party transactions amounting to fraud, breach of fiduciary duty, conspiracy and theft of trade secrets.
Represented the world’s largest integrated energy company in federal litigation involving a dispute over development rights and ownership of offshore oil and gas reserves in California, establishing such a strong case that the client was able to acquire the rights at minimal cost in a pretrial.
Defended one of the world’s largest exploration and production companies against alleged claims that exceeded $40 million. The matter involved joint development of acreage under an exploration agreement and a joint operating agreement that included an area of mutual interest. Obtained two summary judgments on key issues, which resulted in the dismissal of the remaining claims.