Hall Maines Lugrin, P.C.

Firm Overview: 

Hall Maines Lugrin is an energy-focused trial boutique with exceptional trial capabilities and litigation skills, known for handling high-value, complex commercial cases with unparalleled knowledge and experience in energy coverages. The firm has an insider’s knowledge of the industry and a deep technical expertise. Based in Houston, the energy capital of the world, with an outpost in London, the firm's calculated, thoughtful and novel solutions, along with its tight-knit and collaborative team culture, make Hall Maines Lugrin the go-to firm for insurers and energy companies facing difficult commercial issues.

Main Areas of Practice: 

Appellate: 

The firm's appellate work encompasses a wide variety of matters from insurance coverage and bad faith to products liability, maritime torts, complex commercial partnership and securities disputes. Its appeals work has involved issues such as whether the U.S. is liable for damage to an oil company’s subsea pipeline after being run over by the government’s dredging contractor, whether the OCSLA or state law applies to a products liability suit involving a deepwater production facility, and whether an excess liability insurer has a right of reimbursement against its insured for settlement of claims not covered by the policy.

Commercial Disputes: 

The firm's commercial disputes practice is diverse and covers a broad spectrum of business disputes, such as complex business and commercial transactions, energy insurance coverage, oil and gas well operations, partnerships, employment and professional and fiduciary relationships. The firm has also represented companies, officers and directors in antitrust, securities and M&A litigation.

Energy – Hydrocarbons: 

Represent insurers, operators, companies and contractors in a variety of disputes, and are particularly adept at claims involving drilling of oil and gas wells, pipelines, refineries and the petrochemical business. The firm excels at advising whether blowout losses are covered by energy offshore wordings, resolving damage disputes involving transportation and processing of oil and gas, navigating tort claims arising from failed offshore installations and litigating complex business losses that result from energy investments and broken fiduciary duties.

Insurance: 

• Coverage - Regularly provides objective coverage advice, consults with foreign counsel and litigates cutting-edge issues on all types of coverages, including commercial liabilities, professional indemnities, EED/OEE, energy package, builders and construction risk (CAR and WELCAR), business interruption, loss of production income, difference in conditions, marine insurance (including hull, cargo, P&L and MEL), political risk, contract frustration, D&O, E&O and cyber risks.

• Cyber Risks - The firm has a deep knowledge of traditional insurance policies, enabling its attorneys to anticipate how policies might respond to cyber-risk losses; this includes general liability and D&O policies. As insurance companies design more comprehensive products to address cyber risks, the firm has adapted and is prepared to respond to each client’s specific needs with insightful wording and smart coverage advice.

• Subrogation Recovery - Hall Maines Lugrin is considered a go-to firm for insurers and policyholders in subrogation and recovery litigation for claims involving hundreds of millions of dollars in damage. The firm's combined knowledge and experience in the energy insurance industry gives it a strong foothold and advantage in cases arising from well-control failures, fires, explosions, defective products, and boiler, machinery and equipment failures. The firm's deep in-house technical knowledge, unparalleled trial experience and creative collaboration with insurers and policyholders enables it to take into account the priorities that businesses face in deciding whether to pursue recovery, and to ensure the interests of all parties are fully aligned.

• Wording Advice - Crafting wordings that strike an appropriate balance between clarity and marketability is a hallmark of the firm's practice. The firm contributes and reviews current wordings for modifications on a broad range of forms, including builders risk, cyber coverages, bespoke marine and professional indemnities and political risk. The firm's extensive litigation practice allows it to keep underwriters abreast of U.S. legal developments and rulings in the energy sector that may affect London policy forms, as well as offer advice on the new version of the contingent operator’s extra expense policy (COEE).

Products Liability: 

Hall Maines Lugrin has long been considered a leading firm for insurers and policyholders for multi-million-dollar damage claims. It has a strong foothold and advantage in cases arising from well-control failures, fires, explosions, defective products, and boiler, machinery and equipment failures. As an energy-focused trial boutique, the firm often litigates highly technical product defect issues for energy companies and subrogated insurers, relying on industry-specific insights to quickly identify potential product liability issues and develop a successful game plan for resolution or litigation.

Professional Liability: 

Specializes in professional malpractice, defending professional liability claims, while monitoring and providing coverage advice to insurers nationwide regarding high value professional liability risk. In that capacity, the firm provides risk consultation on complex malpractice claims against plaintiff and defense counsel law firms. The firm understands the legal complexities of professional liability claims, as well as the personal and business implications. The firm's expertise is complemented by professional degrees in engineering and business administration, and by practical, hands-on experience as in-house counsel managing litigation.