Robert E. Freehill

Robert is a committed advocate who brings consummate problem-solving focusing to resolve complex commercial litigation in the energy, maritime, transportation, and construction industries. Robert’s indomitable work ethic pairs with his ability to nimbly grasp technical issues, allowing him to quickly craft custom, out-of-the-box solutions for clients, regardless of size or intricacy of the challenge. As a trial lawyer, Robert’s knack for identifying with any audience, and his energetic and compassionate demeanor, make him a natural at clearly and persuasively presenting to a court or a jury. Having successfully tried cases to verdict in state and federal courts, and handled appeals in both jurisdictions across the country, he is at ease in any setting. He is equally tenacious and effective in commercial matters, with experience in routine contract negotiations, entity purchases and acquisitions, and multi-million-dollar asset and equity transactions. Hard work, preparation, and a “never quit” attitude are nothing new for Robert, who grew up with four younger brothers in a military family that moved all over the United States. That experience may be why family and friends describe him as “intensely committed,” “adaptable,” and “stubbornly loyal.”  Outside the courthouse, he’s an accomplished Brazilian jiu-jitsu competitor, motorcyclist, skydiver, and avid rock climber who aspires to free climb the Freerider Route on El Capitan in Yosemite Valley one day. Prior to joining Hall Maines Lugrin, Robert honed the fundamentals of trial practice at a large regional law firm before transferring to two other boutique law firms which focused on litigation and commercial matters, respectively.

• Coverage & Bad Faith Defense
• 3rd Party Defense
• Appellate
• Commercial Disputes
• Excess Liability & Monitoring
• Energy – Hydrocarbons
• Insurance
• Coverage Opinions
• International and Domestic Arbitration
• Energy – Renewables

• Attorney-in-charge for local Houston business defending novel employment issues involving claims of interference, discrimination, and retaliation brought under federal leave statutes enacted in response to the COVID-19 global pandemic. Obtained partial summary judgment as to the interference claim and held Plaintiff to a verdict of $7,600.00 after rejecting a pretrial demand of nearly eight times that figure. Josh Sprague v. Ed’s Precision Management, LLC, U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas, Houston Division.
• Represented Plaintiff DES Development, LLC, a Houston-based company, involved in a dispute based on breaches of a lease agreement for commercial bottling and distribution equipment valued at approximately half a million dollars. Obtained an outright dismissal of all Defendants’ counterclaims and third-party claims valued at more than $100 million. Also obtained summary judgment in favor of client with the Court determining all legal and factual matters in client’s favor and awarding damages for client in the amounts of (1) $296,165.99 in lost rents, (2) $179,595.50 in attorneys’ fees, (3) $50,753.93 in pre-judgment interest, (4) $1,283.00 in taxable litigation costs, and (4) post-judgment interest at 6%. The District Court’s Final Judgment totaled $530,401.22. DES Development, LLC v. RevHoney, Inc., U.S. District Court for the Western District of Missouri.
• Represented Plaintiff commercial and residential property developer involved in a contractual dispute with materials provider. Obtained partial summary judgment wherein the Court found Defendant’s contractual damage limitation provision unenforceable as a matter of law.  Green Tower Development, LLC v. BMC West Corporation, 295th Civil District Court of Harris County, Texas.
• Represented Defendants operator and drilling contractor related to an incident occurring on a land-based drilling rig in Louisiana. Drafted motion for summary judgment on behalf of Yuma Exploration and Production, Inc. (operator) based on Louisiana law which led Plaintiffs to abandon their claims against Yuma. Amanda Olivier v. Nabors Drilling USA, L.P. and Yuma Exploration and Production, Inc.; 80th Civil District Court of Harris County, Texas.
• Represented Defendant operator (Pioneer Natural Resources Co.) in a dispute related to an injury incident on a well-site. Obtained complete summary judgment on behalf of clients based on Chapter 95 of the Texas Civil Practices and Remedies Code. Anthony Jerome Powell v. Pioneer Natural Resources Co.; 151st Civil District Court of Harris County, Texas.
• Represented Defendant energy engineering services company involved in an injury lawsuit related to a transportation incident. After a multi-day jury trial obtained a directed verdict and assisted co-defendant in obtaining a complete defense verdict with a finding of negligence against the Plaintiff. Mohammad Nazir v. Englobal Systems, Inc., et al, in the 60th District Court of Jefferson County, Texas, the Honorable Gary Sanderson presiding.
• Represented Defendant Yellowbook, Inc. in a personal injury lawsuit brought by contractor. Obtained complete summary judgment on behalf of Yellowbook, Inc. Christine Golden v. Yellowbook, Inc., No. H-13-0064, 2014 WL 297475 (S.D. Tex. Jan. 27, 2014) (non pub.).
• Represented local Houston, TX homeowner Plaintiffs in complex construction defect lawsuit against multiple contractors and sub-contractors and succeeded in obtaining substantial confidential settlement (more than four times Defendants’ initial counter-offer) after taking only a single deposition.
• Represented major Houston-based lymphedema and wound-care provider in negotiating reacquisition of shares and removal of directors, as well as in subsequent negotiation of equity sale and reorganization of director, officer, and manager rights and obligations.
• Represented Houston-based heavy machinery company with 8-figure equity sale transaction and restructuring of director, officer, and member rights and obligations.
• Represented Ohio-based company providing a variety of in-person and virtual rock climbing training across the globe in overhauling its liability waivers, releases, and indemnity agreements.
• Represented international rock climbing podcast with formation and organization of parent entity.
• 2021 Orange County Oil Spill Litigation. Gutierrez v. Amplify Energy Corp., et al., Pending in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California, Western Division; and In re Dordellas Finance Corp., owner, and MSC Mediterranean Shipping Co., as Owner Pro Hac Vice, of the M/V MSC DANIT, Pending in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California, Western Division. During a heavy weather event two commercial container vessels drug anchors over an operating oil pipeline off the coast of Long Beach, California causing property damage and an oil spill. Hall Maines Lugrin represented Lloyds of London insurers in a subrogation action seeking recovery amounts paid in respect of insured property damage, oil spill cleanup costs, and natural resource damages. Member of Lloyds of London trial team and assisted with briefing, taking depositions, and preparing for trial. Obtained confidential settlement favorable to client.
• Co-lead counsel representing Lloyds of London Insurers in their subrogation action against vessel which drug anchor over offshore assets causing damage. Obtained $2.84 million settlement on behalf of Lloyds of London. In re Hedron Holdings, LLC, as owner, and Triton Diving Services, LLC as Bareboat Charterer and Owner Pro Hac Vice of D/B EPIC HEDRON, pending in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana.
• Represented Plaintiffs, a load resource in the Texas electrical grid governed by ERCOT, who sustained significant damages during Winter Storm Uri and sought recovery from contractual counterparties who were responsible for same. Member of Plaintiffs’ trial team and assisted with briefing, taking depositions, and preparing for trial. Obtained confidential settlement favorable to client. Air Liquide Large Industries U.S. LP v. EDF Energy Services, LLC, pending in the 165th Civil District Court of Harris County, Texas.
• Represented Plaintiffs, a load resource in the Texas electrical grid governed by ERCOT, who sustained significant damages during Winter Storm Uri and sought recovery from contractual counterparties who were responsible for same. Member of Plaintiffs’ trial team assisting with briefing, taking of depositions, and preparing for trial. Obtained confidential settlement favorable to client. Air Liquide Large Industries U.S. LP v. Tenaska Power Services Co., pending in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas, Houston Division.
• Co-lead counsel for Sanare Energy Partners, LLC, and operator of offshore satellite platform on the outer continental shelf on which workover operations were occurring when platform and workover equipment collapsed causing a fatality. Confidential settlement favorable to client obtained. Blanchard v. Sanare Energy Partners, LLC, et al., pending in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas, Houston Division.
• Co-lead counsel defending onshore oilfield operator in electrocution injury lawsuit. Obtained confidential settlement of less than 1% of Plaintiff’s initial case valuation. Matthew Lara v. CoServ Utilities Services, Inc., et al.; in County Court at Law No. 1 of Dallas County, Texas.
• 2021 Orange County Oil Spill Litigation. Gutierrez v. Amplify Energy Corp., et al., Pending in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California, Western Division; and In re Dordellas Finance Corp., owner, and MSC Mediterranean Shipping Co., as Owner Pro Hac Vice, of the M/V MSC DANIT, Pending in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California, Western Division. During a heavy weather event two commercial container vessels drug anchors over an operating oil pipeline off the coast of Long Beach, California causing property damage and an oil spill. Hall Maines Lugrin represented Lloyds of London insurers in a subrogation action seeking recovery amounts paid in respect of insured property damage, oil spill cleanup costs, and natural resource damages. Member of Lloyds of London trial team and assisted with briefing, taking depositions, and preparing for trial. Obtained confidential settlement favorable to client.
• In re Hedron Holdings, LLC, as owner, and Triton Diving Services, LLC as Bareboat Charterer and Owner Pro Hac Vice of D/B EPIC HEDRON, pending in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana. Co-lead counsel representing Lloyds of London Insurers in their subrogation action against vessel which drug anchor over offshore assets causing damage. Obtained $2.84 million settlement on behalf of Lloyds of London.
• Air Liquide Large Industries U.S. LP v. EDF Energy Services, LLC, pending in the 165th Civil District Court of Harris County, Texas. Represented Plaintiffs, a load resource in the Texas electrical grid governed by ERCOT who sustained significant damages during Winter Storm Uri and sought recovery from contractual counterparties who were responsible for same. Member of Plaintiffs’ trial team and assisted with briefing, taking depositions, and preparing for trial. Obtained confidential settlement favorable to client.
• Air Liquide Large Industries U.S. LP v. Tenaska Power Services Co., pending in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas, Houston Division. Represented Plaintiffs, a load resource in the Texas electrical grid governed by ERCOT who sustained significant damages during Winter Storm Uri and sought recovery from contractual counterparties who were responsible for same. Member of Plaintiffs’ trial team assisting with briefing, taking of depositions, and preparing for trial. Obtained confidential settlement favorable to client.
• Blanchard v. Sanare Energy Partners, LLC, et al., pending in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas, Houston Division. Co-lead counsel for Sanare Energy Partners, LLC, and operator of offshore satellite platform on the outer continental shelf on which workover operations were occurring when platform and workover equipment collapsed causing a fatality. Confidential settlement favorable to client obtained.
• Matthew Lara v. CoServ Utilities, Inc., et al.; in County Court at Law No. 1 of Dallas County, Texas. Co-lead counsel defending onshore oilfield operator in electrocution injury lawsuit. Obtained confidential settlement of less than 1% of Plaintiff’s initial case valuation.

• Lawdragon 500 X – The Next Generation, 2025
• Super Lawyers Rising Star in Texas, 2019-2025, Thompson Reuters

• Super Lawyers Honors 12 Hall Maines Lugrin Attorneys for 2026
• Hall Maines Lugrin Boasts 11 Attorneys on 2025 Texas Super Lawyers List

I am rock climbing, skydiving, riding my Ducati Monster, or working on a house project with my wife. When the tools are put away and the adrenaline has burned off, my wife and I like to travel for Formula One races and explore new restaurants.

Favorite sports teams

Red Bull Racing Team – Formula One

Ducati Lenovo Team MotoGP

Last Reads

How to Build a Car by Adrian Newey

Midnight In Chernobyl by Adam Higginbotham

The Martian by Andy Weir

Quote I live by

“Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail.”~ Ralph Waldo Emerson