Chris Dodson
Biography
Overview
Chris Dodson is a highly accomplished trial lawyer whose diverse trial practice often involves high-risk energy and environmental matters. He has tried to verdict jury and non-jury cases, in many U.S. jurisdictions and forums.
Chambers USA and other respected legal-ranking services have spotlighted Mr. Dodson as one of the leading commercial litigators in Texas. Chambers USA describes him as "an outstanding, professional litigator," "skillful, professional and effective," and "an extremely effective litigator." The Legal 500 US also remarks that Mr. Dodson is "an outstanding trial lawyer." Further, Mr. Dodson is recognized by Benchmark Litigation, Lawdragon's Leading 500 Energy Lawyers in America and Leading 500 in Environmental Law, and the Texas Lawyer.
Mr. Dodson's recent trial victories include a $1.6 billion judgment obtained for KKR-owned BMC Software and a take-nothing defense victory on behalf of an offshore energy company in a trade-secrets case. His participation in the defense of an environmental enforcement action was called "one of the greatest defense verdicts in Texas history" by the Texas Lawbook. In West Virginia, he obtained a defense verdict rejecting—for the first time—a causal link between fracking and groundwater contamination.
Clients also benefit from Mr. Dodson's extensive experience in bankruptcy court and in arbitration. In bankruptcy court, Mr. Dodson has successfully guided clients through complex Chapter 11 adversary proceedings and assisted on complicated corporate restructurings. In arbitration, Mr. Dodson regularly handles construction and complex business arbitrations, often with a cross-border emphasis.
School of Law
Experience
Representative matters:
Intercos America — obtained dismissal of products-liability cases in Texas, California, Ohio, Illinois, and Oregon;
BMC Software — following a federal trial, obtained a $1.6 billion judgment against IBM;*
Foro Energy — following a federal trial, obtained a take-nothing judgment in lawsuit brought by an engineering firm alleging misappropriation of trade secrets;*
Vopak — successfully defended Vopak Americas in a confidential construction arbitration.;*
Vopak — representing Vopak in lawsuit brought for damages arising from an industrial fire and resulting chemical spill at a neighbouring terminal;*
Distressed Debt Investors — representing group of distressed debt investors as lenders to affiliates of World Class Realty. Representation includes bankruptcy and adversary proceedings, foreclosure litigation, defaulted debt proceedings, suits on guarantee, and collection litigations;*
Great-West Healthcare of Texas — following a two-week jury trial, obtained favorable judgment in lawsuit brought by a hospital;*
Houston hospital — obtained complete dismissal of federal class-action brought by consumers seeking in excess of $100 million against a Houston hospital for violations of the Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act;*
Post Oak Clean Green, Inc. — obtained complete dismissal of lawsuit brought by local groundwater district against a landfill developer;*
Vopak — obtained complete dismissal of $25 million breach of contract and fraud lawsuit on eve of trial;*
Waste Management — defended company in a multi-billion dollar environmental enforcement action and attendant mass tort lawsuits.*
*Matters prior to joining White & Case
Chambers USA
Texas Litigation: General Commercial, 2019, 2023 – 2024
2023 Lawdragon 500 Leading U.S. Energy Lawyers
2021 Lawdragon Leading 500 Lawyers in America
Euromoney Institutional Investor PLC
Benchmark Litigation US National Future Star, 2023; Texas Future Star, 2023
Euromoney Institutional Investor PLC
Benchmark Litigation 40 & Under Hot List, 2016 – 2020; Top Litigator Under 40, US National, 201 – 2019
BL Rankings Best Lawyers
Commercial Litigation, 2020 – 2023; Litigation – Environmental, 2023
