Carrin F. Patman
Carrin Patman, attorney at Bracewell & Giuliani, maintains an active trial docket, representing diverse business
and energy industry clients in litigation, including class actions, involving
commercial disputes, securities matters, antitrust and competition issues,
environmental violations and regulatory compliance.
Ms. Patman's recent litigation experience includes: defending former directors
of a publicly traded oil and gas exploration company against allegations of
breach of fiduciary duty; defending a publicly traded energy company against
claims of breach of contract and fraud in connection with its drilling program;
defending a major energy company in a series of fraud and breach of contract
lawsuits involving the sale of natural gas; defending a settlement trust in a
lawsuit for breach of a services contract and fraud; representing a major energy
company seeking recovery of amounts wrongfully offset from its revenues as owner
of a fractionation plant; defending a major manufacturing company against a
lawsuit seeking indemnity for asbestos exposure claims; and defending a major
energy company against certification of a class with respect to claims against
it for violation of state statutes in connection with purchase of natural gas.
Ms. Patman was the first woman elected to, and currently serves on, the firm's
seven-member management committee.
In 2003, 2004, 2006, and 2007, Ms. Patman earned the distinction of Texas Super
Lawyer in civil litigation defense.
In 2001, she received the prestigious Karen H. Susman Jurisprudence Award, given
each year by the Anti-Defamation League, and in 2000, she was selected as a 2000
Woman on the Move by the Houston Chronicle, Channel 11 and Texas Executive
Women. Both awards recognize professional achievement combined with community
service.
Representative Matters
Representation of the former directors of Seven Seas Petroleum, Inc. in a
lawsuit by the bankruptcy trustee of Seven Seas asserting breach of fiduciary
duty.
Representation of Stone Energy Corporation in a lawsuit for breach of contract
and fraud.
Representation of Kinder Morgan Natural Gas Liquids L.P. in a suit to recover
disputed amounts a fractionation plant operator offset from Kinder Morgan’s
revenues as owner of the plant.
Representation of Cooper Industries Inc. in a declaratory judgment and breach of
contract action, in which both parties sought the interpretation of a Stock
Purchase Agreement and indemnity for third-party claims asserting exposure to
asbestos.
Representation of Intratex Gas Company and Houston Pipe Line Company, pipeline
companies affiliated with Enron Corp., in five lawsuits claiming breach of
contract and fraud in connection with those companies’ special marketing
programs and sales of natural gas by and to affiliated companies.
Representation of Intratex Gas Company in a class action asserting violation of
Texas statutes and regulations relating to the purchase of natural gas.
Representation of Corporate Express Delivery Systems Inc. in a class action
asserting breach of contract and fraud.
Representation of a former Houston city councilman in connection with a petition
dispute.
Publications and Speeches
Speaker, "Expert Reports and Testimony," UHY National Litigation Training
Conference, March 5, 2008.
Speaker, "Closing Argument Using an Interactive Time Line", Annual Conference of
the American Bar Association Litigation Section, April 13, 2007.
Course director, The Ultimate Trial Notebook (CLE course on all aspects of trial
preparation), State Bar of Texas Convention, June 24, 2004.
Panel moderator and speaker, "Pretrial Motions: Daubert/Robinson," part of The
Ultimate Trial Notebook seminar, State Bar of Texas Convention, June 24, 2004.
"Privileges: Asserting, Contesting and Preserving Discovery Under the New
Rules," University of Houston Seminar, March 19, 1999 (Dallas), April 2, 1999
(Houston), City of Houston Legal Department, April 28, 1999.
"How to Invoke the Court's Power to Control Discovery: A Demonstration,"
University of Houston Law Center Advanced Civil Discovery Seminar, May 23, 1997
(Houston), May 30, 1997 (Dallas).
"Piercing the Corporate Veil Under Texas Law," Houston Bar Association Corporate
Counsel Section, May 8, 1997.
"Discovery Sanctions, Rule 13 and Other Sanction Powers of the Court,"
University of Houston Law Foundation Advanced Civil Litigation Seminar, April 4,
1996 (Houston), April 11, 1996 (Dallas).
"Sanctions for Discovery Abuse," University of Houston Law Foundation Advanced
Evidence and Discovery Institute, August 19, 1995 (Houston), August 26, 1995
(Dallas).
Education
J.D., The University of Texas School of Law, 1982
B.A., with honors, Duke University, 1978
Bar Admissions
Texas
Court Admissions
U.S. Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit
U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas
Affiliations
American Bar Association, Member
Houston Bar Association, Member
Texas Bar Foundation, Fellow
Houston Bar Foundation, Fellow and former Vice-Chairman
Antitrust and Business Litigation Council of the State Bar of Texas, former
Member
Noteworthy
Texas Super Lawyers, 2003, 2004, 2007, 2008
Super Lawyers, Corporate Counsel Edition, 2008 and 2009
Sheltering Arms Senior Services, Executive Committee Member
Texas Appleseed, Board Member and Chair of Development Committee
The University of Texas Law School Alumni Association, Immediate Past President
and current Director
Texas Law Review Association, Director and President-Elect
Girls Incorporated of Greater Houston, Advisory Board Member
Society for the Performing Arts, Board Member
