George Lugrin

Practice Areas

Complex commercial and insurance cases for both plaintiffs and defendants, including coverage, subrogation, architectural and engineering professional malpractice cases, take or pay contract disputes, and upstream and pipeline transportation issues.

Career

The defining characteristic of George Lugrin’s practice is concrete, technical expertise combined with an intense creative ability to sift complex engineering data, and abstractly formulate winning legal theories for high-end damage recoveries. That unusual skillset is grounded in a mechanical engineering degree, a coveted registration as a patent attorney and hands-on experience as a practicing engineer at NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston. His technical savvy has resulted in the recovery of hundreds of millions of dollars.

His clients describe him as charmingly persuasive, calculated, easy to work with, and an “exceptional commercial litigator.” A successful and prolific trial lawyer with a number of high-value “wins” under his belt, George can effectively cross-examine the most difficult and experienced expert witnesses because he speaks “engineering,” and at the same time effortlessly connect with juries because of his engaging personality.

George is recognized for his depth of knowledge and superb handling of oil and gas well blowouts, as well as product liability defects involving cutting-edge technologies in multi-billion dollar onshore and offshore construction projects. He sometimes litigates or arbitrates cases in Alaska, the United Kingdom, West Africa, South America or China, but is most often found trying cases in Texas, Louisiana and Oklahoma.

He has earned numerous awards of distinction including Best Lawyers in America 2023 for Commercial Litigation, the Texas Verdicts Hall of Fame 2010 (Control Solutions, Inc. v. Gharda USA, Inc.), and he has been recognized by

Texas Super Lawyer, each year since 2011.

More than an exceptional trial lawyer, George is also remarkable at resolving sensitive matters outside of public courts whether by private, face-to-face meetings between principals, using confidential arbitration agreements, or accessing available jurisdictions where details of proceedings are not public. Clients appreciate his flexibility and uncommon, creative problem-solving, along with his ability to resolve disputes in alignment with their business needs. His approach is holistic—he is keenly aware of the larger commercial and industry relationships that must be maintained in any dispute. George brings a fresh spirit and sense of humor to his client relationships, but also recognizes that tenacious dedication, determination and grit help him achieve successful outcomes for his clients.

Professional Memberships

American Bar Association

State Bar of Texas

Houston Bar Association

Professional Liability Underwriters Society

Expert in these Jurisdictions

Texas

U.S. Supreme Court

U.S. Court of Appeals, Fifth Circuit

U.S. Patent and Trademark Office

U.S. District Courts for the Southern, Northern and Western Districts of Texas

Experience

Lead counsel in numerous oil and gas well blowout recovery actions representing the interests of insurers and companies involving damages ranging from $1.5 million to more than $130 million.

Lead defense counsel in trial of $80 million oil and gas well blowout; settled post-trial and appeal.

Lead trial counsel of $100 million recovery action arising out of an offshore construction crane failure; settled during second trial.

Defended crane designer and manufacturer as lead counsel against claims of defective design resulting in rig and platform damage.

Represented insurers in $100 million coverage dispute involving damage to semi-submersible rigs.

Represented Indian chemical manufacturer in $10 million products liability case involving off-spec industrial chemicals.

Represented excess insurers as lead counsel in connection with a $40 million personal injury verdict.

Represented multiple high profile Texas plaintiff firms (as lead and second chair) against malpractice claims in connection with mass tort litigation and other matters.

Education