Bill began his career serving as a law clerk on the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit. He has extensive first chair trial experience representing litigants in state and federal court and domestic and international arbitrations. Bill’s practice areas include disputes arising from commercial transactions, biotech and life sciences, electricity markets, competition, energy insurance and subrogation, and professional and fiduciary relationships. Prior to joining Hall Maines Lugrin he was a partner with Fulbright & Jaworski, LLP.
Services
Cases & Experience
- Trial counsel for multinational industrial gas supplier in litigation arising from disruption of electricity markets following extended power outages in Texas.
- Trial counsel for premier medical school and research center in multiple commercial disputes, first amendment cases, and issues relating to scientific research, securities, and real estate.
- Trial counsel for multiple energy companies and subrogated European insurers in products liability claims arising from onshore and offshore well blowouts; damages routinely exceed $50 million.
- Trial counsel for London-based energy insurance underwriters in claim for over $100 million in damages arising from Energy Package Policy.
- Trial counsel for insurance underwriters in claim arising from destruction of offshore oil and gas facilities; plaintiff sought damages of $30 million; jury awarded $9.5 million following six-week jury trial.
- Arbitration counsel for Texas-based energy company seeking $30 million in damages in claim arising from construction of offshore production facility (London Court of International Arbitration).
- Trial counsel for world-scale petrochemical manufacturer and supplier in claim against buyer for breach of open price term contract to purchase polystyrene; buyer asserted counterclaims for price discrimination under state and federal law antitrust laws, breach of the UCC’s duty of good faith and fraud, and sought over $5 million in damages; following a two week jury trial, obtained jury verdict in favor of supplier and against buyer on all claims.
- Trial counsel for CEO of energy company accused of breaching oral partnership agreement to form private equity fund; following jury trial in which plaintiff sought $7.3 million in damages, obtained take nothing judgment in defendant’s favor; affirmed on appeal.
- Trial counsel for senior executive in claims against former employer for value of equity stake in multiple limited partnerships organized by private equity firm; parallel litigation filed by partnerships against executive in Delaware Chancery Court; confidential resolution following arbitration hearing.
- Trial counsel for United States and European insurance underwriters in claims arising from Energy Package Policy; plaintiff sought $500 million in damages; lawsuit settled after one week of trial.
- Represented energy company in products liability action against firing head manufacturer and oilfield service provider in claim arising from destruction of oil and gas well resulting in $30 million in damages; confidential settlement following extensive discovery and motion practice.
- Trial counsel for onshore drilling company accused of destroying oil and gas well; plaintiff sought over $10 million in damages; two-week trial resulted in mixed jury verdict; court of appeals entered take-nothing judgment on plaintiff’s claims and rendered judgment in favor of defendant-client on counterclaim.
- Trial counsel for London-based insurance underwriters in lawsuit filed by independent energy company against underwriters and brokers; energy company alleged underwriters breached energy package policy and violated statutory and common law duties of good faith and fair dealing by refusing to cover all of the company’s damages following a hurricane and sought over $30 million in damages; confidential settlement following three-week jury trial.
- Trial counsel for non-profit hospital system in antitrust lawsuit filed by for-profit acute-care hospital that went out of business; plaintiff alleged hospital system engaged in conspiracy to cause health insurers to refuse to deal with plaintiff; plaintiff sought damages exceeding $100 million; confidential settlement following jury selection.
Education & Admissions
- Vanderbilt University, B.A., 1980
- St. Mary’s University School of Law, J.D., 1984
- State Bar of Texas
- U.S. Supreme Court
- U.S. Court of Appeals, Fifth and Federal Circuits
- U.S. District Courts of Texas (all districts)
Awards & Recognitions
- Chambers USA, Commercial Litigation, Houston, 2026 and multiple prior years
- Texas Board of Legal Specialization, Board Certified in Civil Trial Law, 1997-present
- Texas Super Lawyers, Top 100 in Houston, 2025 and multiple prior years
- Lawdragon 500 Leading Litigators in America, 2025 and multiple prior years; Leading Energy Lawyers, 2025 and multiple prior years; Leading Lawyers in America, Business Litigation, Insurance Coverage, 2025 and multiple prior years
- Best Lawyers in America, Commercial Litigation, Antitrust, Securities, and Insurance, 2025 and multiple prior years; Lawyer of the Year in Houston, Antitrust Litigation, 2022
- AV Preeminent Rating, Martindale-Hubbell
Professional & Civic
- American Bar Association
- State Bar of Texas
- American Board of Trial Advocates, Associate
- Texas Bar Foundation, Fellow
- Houston Bar Foundation, Fellow
- Houston Bar Association, Speakers Bureau Committee, 2005-2006; Litigation Section; Antitrust and Trade Regulation Section
- St. Paul’s Methodist Church, Chair, Finance Committee, member 2024-present; Staff Parish Relations Committee, member 2013-2015
- St. Paul’s Methodist Foundation of Houston, Board of Directors, 2018-2023; Chair, Investment Committee 2022-2023
- River Oaks Country Club, Chair, Benefits Committee, member 2024-present
- River Oaks Property Owners Association, Treasurer, Director 2025-present
Insights
- Bill Maines of Hall Maines Lugrin, P.C. Named a ‘Lawyer of the Year’ by The Best Lawyers in America
- Hall Maines Lugrin Founding Shareholders Selected to the Lawdragon 500 Leading Lawyers in America List for 2025
- Four Attorneys with Hall Maines Lugrin Ranked by Chambers USA 2024 Guide
- Eight Hall Maines Lugrin Attorneys Earn Texas Super Lawyers Honors
- Eight Attorneys with Hall Maines Lugrin Selected for Best Lawyers in America
- Seven Attorneys with Hall Maines Lugrin Named to Texas Super Lawyers
- Four Attorneys with Hall Maines Lugrin Selected to Best Lawyers in America
- Hall Maines Lugrin Named to Best Law Firms List for 12th Year in a Row
- Seven Hall Maines Lugrin Attorneys Named to Texas Super Lawyers
- Super Lawyers Honors 12 Hall Maines Lugrin Attorneys for 2026
- Hall Maines Lugrin Boasts 11 Attorneys on 2025 Texas Super Lawyers List
Outside the Office
Early in my career, a friend and mentor gave me a glass paperweight inscribed with Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes’ famous observation: “The life of the law has not been logic; it has been experience.” That philosophy has resonated throughout my legal career as well as beyond the courtroom.
Away from the office, I believe that a full life enriches the practice of law. My family comes first, whether we are relaxing at home or exploring new destinations together. I am active in my church and hold leadership roles in several civic organizations. I am an avid and eclectic reader, drawn to everything from classic literature to a good pulp thriller. A book is never far from reach.
Golf has been a constant in my life. I love the game for the patience, precision, and mental discipline it demands. I follow professional golf closely, marveling at the artistry the world’s best players bring to the sport. In recent years I have also become an enthusiastic Astros fan.
As we enter an era with seemingly limitless technological opportunities, Justic Holmes’ words are as relevant today as they were when written.