Jim Ormiston, a and Director of Gray Reed, is chair of the firm s Commercial Litigation practice group. Jim has obtained favorable verdicts, judgments and settlements on behalf of both plaintiffs and defendants in a wide variety of complex business cases, including suits relating to oil and gas, real estate, class actions/mass torts, trade secrets, contracts and business torts, employment matters, and the defense of serious personal injury and wrongful death cases. Over the years, he has focused primarily on energy related matters, including royalty disputes, take or pay claims, joint operating agreement disputes, COPAS accounting disputes, breach of natural gas purchase and sale contracts, breach of gas processing agreements, breach of gas gathering and transportation agreements, surface use and damages claims, improper pooling and failure to develop issues, and title adjudications. Jim has also handled numerous appeals resulting in 18 appellate opinions to date. Representative Experience Energy Litigation $30.5 million recovery for an offshore gas producer for the repudiation of a long-term gas purchase contract. $30 million settlement of a state-wide royalty owner class action involving underpayment of royalties and failure to reasonably market the gas. $26.54 million settlement in a royalty owner class action case involving underpayment of royalties and failure to reasonably market the gas. $29.5 million settlement on behalf of approximately 130 royalty owners on a claim for failure to reasonably market natural production. $20 million settlement in a class action on behalf of approximately 1,600 West Texas royalty owners. Obtained a take-nothing defense verdict and judgment on behalf of a publicly traded exploration and production company sued for allegedly overcharging for indirect operating expenses under an 1960 Joint Operating Agreement. $2 million judgment following a bench trial on behalf of a class of 6,000 mineral interest owners against an operator for violations of the New Mexico Oil & Gas Proceeds Payment Act. Obtained a take-nothing summary judgment, affirmed on appeal, for an operator sued by landowners for alleged nuisance related to James J. Ormiston 1300 Post Oak Blvd. Suite 2000 Houston, TX 77056 jormiston@grayreed.com D: 713.986.7107 T: 713.986.7000 F: 713.730.5840 Industries Energy Oil & Gas Exploration and Production Gas Processing and Transportation Oilfield Services Real Estate Banking & Finance Construction Timeshare Development and Sales Practices Commercial Litigation Energy Litigation Class Actions - Mass Torts Arbitration and Mediation Appellate Law Education J.D., The University of Texas School of Law, 1987 B.A., magna cum laude, St. Mary's University of San Antonio, Texas, 1984 Bar Admissions Texas Court Admissions
oilfield operations in the vicinity of the plaintiffs home. $1 million settlement on behalf of a natural gas producer in a breach of gas purchase contract case. $950,000 recovery for an oilfield service company in a breach of contract case. Obtained a take-nothing judgment on appeal on behalf of a Operator sued for additional overriding royalties on producing wells; the plaintiffs had obtained a summary judgment in their favor that was reversed and rendered on appeal in favor of the operator. Successfully defended operators in a claim brought by royalty owners who alleged that certain oil and gas lease amendments were obtained by fraud and negligent misrepresentations, and who also alleged improper pooling of the oil and gas leases; the case settled for a nominal amount while defendants' motion for summary judgment was pending. Represented operator in connection with claims against drilling contractor for over-billing. Defended a publicly-traded oil and gas company against claims that it delivered contaminated natural gas to a processing plant. Secured a dismissal without payment of consideration on behalf of a natural gas marketing company sued by a gas producer for breach of contract and antitrust violations. Successfully defended exploration and production company in a suit brought by a former employee who claimed he was entitled to overriding royalty interests in certain prospects he worked on. Successfully defended operator against claims of subsurface water contamination. Defended an oil and gas operator for alleged surface damages occurring during a seismic survey. United States Supreme Court United States Court of Appeals, Fifth Circuit Northern District of Texas Southern District of Texas Eastern District of Texas Western District of Texas Contracts/Business Torts $3 million buy-out settlement in a dispute between members of a deadlocked limited liability company. $4.4 million jury verdict on behalf of a sales outsourcing company in a breach of contract case. Obtained dismissal on venue grounds in mass tort action brought by over 250 plaintiffs seeking in excess of $100 million in damages. Successfully defended a public company in a breach of contract, fraud, and breach of fiduciary duty case in which the plaintiff sought $100 million in actual damages and three times that amount in exemplary damages; the case settled for less than one percent of the
alleged actual damages during the first week of trial. Defended operator of a timeshare vacation club in a nationwide class action, resulting in a settlement covering approximately 19,000 class members. Won a take-nothing jury verdict on behalf of a client sued by his former law firm for approximately $500,000 in unpaid legal fees and expenses. $600,000 settlement on behalf of an electrical contractor for damages relating to the purchase of defective emergency generators. $450,000 recovery for an airline due to the improper storage of its airplanes following 9/11. Successfully defended publicly-traded airline in suit brought by 401(k) services provider for alleged fees owed; the case settled the day before trial for less than one-third of amount claimed. Successfully prosecuted claims on behalf of company involved in the purified water business against partners who were engaging in a competing business. Represented a member of a limited liability company in a suit against another member for failure to pay its share of the company's expenses, and defended counterclaims for breach of fiduciary duty; the case settled favorably after three days of trial with the defendant conveying its membership interest to the plaintiff and withdrawing from the business. Defended oilfield service company against misappropriation of trade secrets claims brought by a competitor in Wyoming. Successfully defended lender against fraud and breach of contract claims asserted by borrower; court struck borrower's pleadings and claims were dismissed without payment of consideration to the plaintiff. Defended a manufacturer of holographic imaging machines in a breach of contract, breach of warranty and DTPA case; the case was dismissed when both the plaintiff and the defendant were acquired by a public company. Represented an office supply company in a UCC case against a credit union for honoring checks over forged endorsements; the case settled during the second day of trial for the full amount of actual damages sought. Employment Litigation Successfully prosecuted a petition for writ of mandamus on behalf of an energy brokerage company. Following an evidentiary hearing, the trial court found the energy brokerage company in civil contempt for
purportedly violating a 1998 injunction. The Fourteenth Court of Appeals, however, granted the broker's petition for mandamus relief and ordered the trial court to vacate the contempt order. In re CHOICE! ENERGY, L.P., 325 S.W.3d 805 (Tex. App.--Houston [14 Dist.] 2010, orig. proceeding). Obtained a favorable arbitration award on behalf of an energy brokerage company against a former executive who claimed more than $2 million in damages. The arbitrator ruled the executive was terminated "for cause" and awarded the executive only the amount of compensation due at termination, which was less than 10% of the amount claimed. Obtained temporary injunctive relief on behalf of an oilfield services provider against a former employee who formed a competing business, which led to a favorable settlement and recovery. Successfully defended investment bankers who left one firm to join another, including the denial of injunctive relief sought by former employer. Won an $85,000 arbitration award (the full amount sought) on behalf of a woman who brought a claim against her former employer for violations of the Texas Commission on Human Rights Act. Represented an insurance agency in a suit against a former officer and employee for violations of a covenant not to compete; the case settled during jury deliberations for the full amount of actual damages sought. Defense of publicly-traded company in suit for severance benefits under ERISA. Real Estate Won a complete defense verdict on behalf of a Houston real estate developer in a case where the plaintiff alleged breach of a commercial real estate sales contract and sought specific performance and damages. Won a take-nothing judgment on behalf of a landlord who was sued by a former tenant alleging DTPA violations and conversion; judgment was affirmed on appeal. Securities Fraud $1.6 million settlement on behalf of an investor defrauded in connection with a bonded life settlement investment. Obtained a dismissal without payment of consideration on behalf of one of the defendants in a case brought by the Official Committee of Unsecured Creditors of Enron Corp. in the Enron MDL Litigation. Defense Of Serious Injury/Wrongful Death
Successful defense of several asbestos cases against employer and contractor defendants. Won a take-nothing verdict on behalf of a restaurant in a nonsubscriber personal injury case filed by one of its former employees. Obtained a dismissal without payment of consideration on behalf of a seat belt manufacturer/importer in a wrongful death products liability case. Defense of property owner against claims brought by contractors burned when a natural gas pipeline ruptured and exploded. Appeals Cerny v. Plains Exploration & Production Co., 2015 WL 5852596 (Tex. App. San Antonio 2015, motion for rehearing denied) The First Baptist Church of Roswell v. Yates Petroleum Corp., 345 P.3d 310 (NM SCt. 2015) MCS Minerals, Ltd. v. Plains Exploration & Prod. Co., 2014 WL 223074 (Tex. App. Dallas 2014, no pet.) Adams v. Raintree Vacation Exchange, LLC, 702 F.3d 436 (7 th Cir. 2012) The First Baptist Church of Roswell, et al. v. Yates Petroleum Corp., 281 P.3d 1235 (2012) In re Choice! Energy, L.P., 325 S.W.3d 805 (Tex. App. - Houston [14th Dist.] 2010, orig. proceeding) Edascio, L.L.C. v. NextiraOne, L.L.C., 264 S.W.3d 786 (Tex. App. - Houston [1st Dist.] 2008, pet. denied) In re NextiraOne, L.L.C., 2006 WL 2075693 (Tex. App. - Houston [1st Dist.] 2006) Illinois Tool Works, Inc. v. Harris, 194 S.W.3d 529 (Tex. App. - Houston [14th Dist.] 2006, no pet.) In re NextiraOne, L.L.C., 2006 WL 250478 (Tex. App. - Houston [14th Dist.] 2006) Union Pacific Resources, Inc. v. Hankins, 111 S.W.3d 69 (Tex. 2003) Welch v. Hrabar, 110 S.W.3d 601 (Tex. App. - Houston [14th Dist.] 2003, no pet.) Stirman v. Exxon Corp., 280 F.3d 554 (5th Cir. 2002) Union Pacific Resources Group, Inc. v. Neinast, 67 S.W.3d 275 (Tex. App. - Houston [1st Dist.] 2001, pet. denied) Horizon Resources, Inc. v. Putnam, 976 S.W.2d 268 (Tex. App. - Corpus Christi 1998, no pet.)
Skaggs v. Conoco, Inc., 957 P.2d 526 (N.M. App. 1998) New Bremen Corp. v. Columbia Gas Transmission Corp., 108 F.3d 332, 1997 WL 73788 (5th Cir. 1997) M. H., Inc. v. Guidry, East, Barnes & Bono, Inc., 834 S.W.2d 550 (Tex. App. - Houston [14th Dist.) 1992, no pet.) Professional Activities, Memberships & Affiliations Fellow of the International Society of Barristers (2012 present) State Bar of Texas (Member: Litigation Section; Oil, Gas & Mineral Law Section) American Bar Association (Member: Litigation Section; Oil, Gas & Mineral Law Section) Houston Bar Association (Member: Litigation Section; Oil, Gas & Mineral Law Section) Texas Independent Producers & Royalty Owners Association, Member Executive Committee of the University of Texas School of Law Alumni Association (2010 Present) Honors Selected by his peers for inclusion in Woodward/White, Inc.'s The Best Lawyers in America in the field of Commercial Litigation (2013 2016) Named a "Super Lawyer" by Texas Super Lawyers (a Thomson Reuters company) as published in Texas Monthly and Law & Politics magazine (2008 2015) AV Preeminent rated (the highest possible Martindale-Hubbell Peer Review Rating designation) Publications Author of Chapter 17, Selected Causes of Action Unique to the Oil and Gas Industry, Texas Business Litigation (ALM 2016 ed.) In the News "Appeals Court Hears Arguments in Eagle Ford Shale Lawsuit", San Antonio Express-News (May 15, 2015) "What Are Law Firms Doing to Save Clients Money", Houston Business Journal (April 17, 2009)