Bryan Lauer

Bryan has held first- and second-chair responsibility for cases in both state and federal court, and has handled numerous matters at the Railroad Commission of Texas. These include:

With Steve McConnico, Aaron Collins, and Robyn Hargrove, in 2023 took over defense of a fraud and breach-of-fiduciary-duty case after previous counsel’s dispositive motions failed in Travis County district court and on appeal.  Developed a new strategy to support the district court’s reconsideration of its earlier rulings, and succeeded in getting the major claims dismissed before trial.  Shortly thereafter, plaintiff, who was seeking more than $20 million in damages, settled for $650,000.

Defended client in Webb County district court in a DTPA, fraud, and breach-of-fiduciary action in which plaintiff was seeking more than $10 million in damages and disgorgement.  Defeated plaintiff’s two motions for summary judgment and then filed motions for summary judgment to dismiss all claims shortly before mediation.  Settled the case at mediation in 2023 for $725,000.

In 2022, defended client in AAA arbitration against claims for fraud, breach of fiduciary duty, and breach of warranty.  Plaintiff sought more than $10 million in damages.  Took a series of depositions in which plaintiff’s damages model was eviscerated and settled the case at mediation for $625,000.

First- and second-chair responsibility in state- and federal-court energy litigation, including disputes concerning royalty payments, mineral title, lease termination, trespass, conversion, implied covenants, and theft of trade secrets.

First- and second-chair responsibility in protested and unprotested hearings at the Railroad Commission of Texas, including applications for amendments to field rules, permits for saltwater disposal wells, and Rule 32 flaring exceptions.

Second-chair responsibility handling multi-district litigation with over 100 Plaintiffs in three counties on behalf of a Fortune 500 energy company concerning allegations of hundreds of millions of dollars in damages for royalty underpayment, improper pooling, failure to protect against drainage, and failure to develop.

In recent years, Bryan’s practice has included a focus on the use of production sharing agreements and allocation wells, and he has served on panels and presented case-law updates throughout Texas concerning these complex matters.

Recent Results:

• Obtained multiple summary judgments in multi-district litigation on behalf of a Fortune 500 energy company
• Successfully argued appeal to the Third Court of Appeals, Austin Texas, resulting in the partial reversal of the district court for abuse of discretion.
• Successfully managed defense of Fortune 200 energy company in a lawsuit seeking lease termination and damages for trespass and conversion. Despite plaintiffs’ eight-figure demand, settled the case in the mid six figures.
• With Asher Griffin, handled temporary injunction hearing and defended Chinese start-up company against claims for breach of fiduciary duty and shareholder oppression, resulting in favorable settlement for client.
• With Steve McConnico and Steve Wingard, handled temporary injunction hearing and represented an Austin-based company in trade-secret case, resulting in favorable settlement for client.
• With Joe Sanders, represented Oklahoma-based energy company against claims for trespass and conversion, resulting in favorable settlement for client.