Press Releases
Hogan Lovells announces new Board appointments
16 May 2022
Office Managing PartnerHouston
Email [email protected]hoganlovells.com
Phone +1 713 632 1420
Fax +1 713 632 1401
Practice groupLitigation, Arbitration, and Employment
"The highly experienced Bruce Oakley heads Hogan Lovells US LLP's Texas litigation team. He has previously served as a Texas state court judge and is described by clients as an 'exceptionally capable advocate' with 'a very good, analytical' approach."
Chambers USA
Drawing on his 25 years as a trial lawyer in Houston, Bruce Oakley helps commercial clients solve problems through advice, analysis, and advocacy. Having served as a judge presiding over thousands of lawsuits, Bruce knows particularly well the risks and opportunities facing clients with business disputes; and what works and does not work at the courthouse.
Bruce uses that knowledge to develop and carry out strategies both in the boardroom and in the courtroom, especially for clients facing complex cross-border disputes. He regularly represents businesses across the energy spectrum – from exploration and production, drilling operations, refineries, pipelines, and to the services sector.
As Managing Partner of our Houston office, Bruce works with lawyers throughout our global practice. Before joining our firm 10 years ago, Bruce served as Judge of the 234th Judicial District Court. Prior to being appointed and then reelected to the court, he was a partner in a major Texas firm trying lawsuits in state and federal courts. He is ranked by Chambers, the Legal 500, Texas SuperLawyers, and BTI. He also holds a certification in Civil Trial Law from the Texas Board of Legal Specialization.
Bruce continues his public service having previously served as President of Children's Protective Services and now as a Director of the Harris County Houston Sports Authority. He is married and has five children.
Litigation: General Commercial (Texas)
Chambers USA
Acritas Star
Acritas Stars Independently Rated Lawyers
Dispute Resolution: General Commercial Disputes
Legal 500 US
Dispute Resolution: International Litigation, Recommended
Legal 500 US
Board Certified, Civil Trial Law
Texas Board of Legal Specialization
Business Litigation
Super Lawyers
Litigation: Product Liability and Mass Tort Defense: Aerospace/Aviation
Legal 500 US
BTI Client Service All-Star
BTI Consulting Group
Business Litigation
Super Lawyers, Corporate Counsel Edition
Education
J.D., Baylor University School of Law, cum laude; Leon Jaworski Scholarship in Advocacy, 1989
B.A., Baylor University, 1986
Memberships
Member, American Board of Trial Advocates
Member, Houston Bar Association
Member, Texas Association of Civil Trial and Appellate Specialists
Bar admissions and qualifications
Texas
New York
Court admissions
U.S. Court of Appeals, Eleventh Circuit
U.S. Court of Appeals, Fifth Circuit
U.S. Court of Appeals, Seventh Circuit
U.S. District Court, District of Colorado
U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Texas
U.S. District Court, Northern District of Texas
U.S. District Court, Southern District of Texas
U.S. District Court, Western District of Texas
U.S. Supreme Court
New York State Appellate Division Third Department
Representing a deepwater drilling contractor against claims relating to the dissolution of a Brazilian joint venture.
Representing innovative shale logistics company in trade secret lawsuit.
Representing an exploration and production company in a dispute over rig failure during drilling operation in the Eagle Ford Shale formation.
Defended foreign sovereign integrated energy company against series of lawsuits under the Alien Tort Claims Act and Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act.
Representing offshore drilling contractor in federal litigation against a multinational oil and gas company concerning deepwater drilling operations.
Defended clean energy manufacturing company in defense of a lawsuit alleging misappropriation of trade secrets.
Defended independent power producer in litigation brought by former officer arising out of a DOJ investigation and prosecution.
Arbitrator in variety of energy and insurance related disputes.
Press Releases
16 May 2022
News
30 July 2021
Press Releases
22 April 2021
Hogan Lovells Publications
04 May 2017
Published Works
November/December 2015