Pierce & O’Neill, LLP

Partners: Jesse R Pierce, Jack O’Neill

Numbers of lawyers: 10

Firm Overview:

Pierce & O'Neill is a litigation "boutique" with a single focus — the devoted representation of clients in significant litigation. There are major differences between litigators who engage primarily in motion practice and those who try cases. This is a firm of trial lawyers.

Jesse Pierce and Jack O'Neill formed Pierce & O'Neill with one goal in mind — to establish a boutique trial and appellate firm with a primary focus on complex business and energy litigation. This focused approach has allowed them to concentrate their expertise and knowledge with a specific client base in mind, thereby benefiting their clients with superior representation. Pierce & O'Neill is also committed to providing its clients with the most efficient, cost-effective representation available. The firm's reputation has been built upon results that exceed expectations and its responsive, innovative and common-sense advice. The relentless pursuit of its clients' interests fosters a spirit of cooperation and partnership. The firm undertakes substantial matters on a regular basis for both new and existing clients and places a significant value on its longstanding relationships with its clients, many of which span several decades. Although most often retained at the outset of a matter, the firm is frequently asked to substitute as trial counsel before trial, or to step in as appellate counsel on appeal. Both Mr. Pierce and Mr. O'Neill have more than 40 years of experience trying complex civil litigation cases for commercial and energy industry clients. They are members of the American Board of Trial Advocates, have been selected for inclusion in Texas Super Lawyers®, and have earned AV Preeminent ratings* from Martindale-Hubbell.

Main Areas of Practice:

Complex Commercial Litigation:

Disputes involving claims of breach of contracts, breach of fiduciary duties and fraud, interpretation and enforcement of contracts, franchising, real estate, ERISA claims, securities and corporate matters, franchising disputes, copyright and entertainment matters, and a variety of usury and deceptive trade practices matters.

Energy & Natural Resources Litigation:

Disputes involving all aspects of the oil and gas industry, including well blowouts and other well incidents; refinery and pipeline incidents; production platform incidents; pollution actions; groundwater contamination actions; actions involving hydraulic fracking; royalty, overriding royalty, working interest and other ownership issues; interpretation and enforcement of production agreements, assignments, joint operating agreements, area of mutual interest agreements, deeds, leases and all other agreements affecting development, ownership, exploration, production, refining and marketing; title actions; trespass actions; and class actions.

Appellate Litigation:

Representation of clients through all stages of the civil appellate process, at both the state and federal appellate court levels, including filing (or defending) the initial appeal in the lower court of an order or judgment, through the briefing process and oral argument; interlocutory appeals, mandamus proceedings, petitions for writ of certiorari and amicus briefs.

Environmental & Toxic Tort Litigation:

Disputes involving environmental contamination, chemical exposure, wrongful death and product defects, including claims of contamination of property by natural gas and hydrogen, water pollution, and exposure to benzene.

Alternative Dispute Resolution:

Representation of clients in civil matters involving mandatory or optional arbitration proceedings before the American Arbitration Association and other alternative dispute resolution forums.