Walter Lynch loves a challenge. His years of trial work have earned him a reputation as a “rapid accelerator” who is ready to go when a client faces a difficult case or tough venue (or both). He is equally comfortable trying a case in a big-city federal court as he is griding it out in a small-town state courthouse.  

His work as a management consultant prior to law school is one of the reasons he is able to dive in, understand complicated matters quickly and effectively identify issues, arguments and opportunities for his clients. 

In a time when trial experience is increasingly rare, Walter’s clients rely on him when trials are imminent, knowing he will be well-suited to the challenge. He thrives in the courtroom, relishing the interesting and engaging work, and his competitive nature often translates to successful outcomes for his clients.  

His trial experience consists of a wide range of matters such as intellectual property/trade secrets, personal injury and complex commercial litigation, including royalty disputes and other oil & gas cases. Walter’s trial work has taken him to courtrooms throughout Texas and across the country, from California to Massachusetts. 

Walter’s clients call upon him because they appreciate that he is extraordinarily prepared and takes pride in his work, working diligently on their behalf, not just to solve problems, but to add value. 

When not striving to win his next trial or otherwise solve his clients’ problems, Walter serves as a husband, father of two, St. Mark’s Episcopal School Board Member, former Bellaire Little League president, and usher/reader at his church. 

REPRESENTATIVE MATTERS

Trade Secrets

  • Lead trial counsel for plaintiffs Rigzone.com, Inc. and DHI Group, Inc. in a theft of trade secrets (TUTSA) trial in federal court in Houston, earning a favorable jury verdict, including TUTSA and RICO liability findings, and nearly $4 million in damages against the original founder of Rigzone. The case is currently on appeal. 
  • Counsel for Encore Chemical Solutions prosecuting its trade secret and unfair trade practices act claims against Pinnacle and individuals arising from defendants operating a competing oilfield specialty chemical supply company. Settled favorably within seven months of filing. 

Oil & Gas

  • Lead counsel for Repsol Oil & Gas USA, LLC in a breach of contract case in which mineral interest owners claim underpayment of royalties. 

Premises Liability

  • Lead trial counsel for Marathon Petroleum Company, L.P. defending premises liability action related to Marathon’s Louisiana refinery. Settled under favorable terms prior to trial. 
  • Lead trial counsel for BASF Corporation in premises liability death case related to its Freeport, Texas plant seeking $21 million in compensatory along with punitive damages. Following a three-week jury trial, BASF earned a defense verdict. 

Product Liability

  • Trial counsel for Union Carbide Corporation in products liability action related to claimed asbestos exposure in the oil fields near Bakersfield. Settled favorably during second week of trial. 
  • Trial counsel for Union Carbide Corporation in products liability mesothelioma case, which resulted in a defense verdict after three weeks in front of a jury. 
  • Trial counsel for Union Carbide Corporation in products liability lung cancer case, which resulted in a jury reaching a defense verdict after two weeks of trial. 
EDUCATION
  • University of Houston Law Center, J.D., May 2004
    • Honors and Activities: 
      • Magna Cum Laude
      • Order of the Coif
      • Executive Editor, Houston Law Review
      • The Order of Barristers 
  • University of Texas, Austin, Texas, M.B.A., May 1998
    • Graduated with Honors 
  • Baylor University, Waco, Texas, B.A., May 1993 
PUBLICATIONS & SPEECHES
  • Product Liability Desk Reference: A Fifty-State Compendium, Texas Chapter Editor, January 2015, ‘16, and ’17. 
  • Limits on Sponsor Liability in Clinical Investigations, Drug, Device & Biotech IADC Newsletter, June 2006. 
HONORS & AWARDS
  • Recognized as a Texas Super Lawyer-Rising Star (Thomson Reuters), 2007 – 2009, 2014.
  • Testified in front of the Texas House of Representatives Judiciary & Civil Jurisprudence Committee related to proposed changes to Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code Chapter 95. March 28, 2017.
  • Named a 500 Leading Litigator in America by Lawdragon, 2023

 

COURT ADMISSIONS
  • State Bar of Texas, United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas 
  • State Bar of California, United States District Courts for the Central and Northern Districts of California 
  • State Bar of Louisiana 
  • Texas Bar Foundation, Life Fellow 
  • Houston Bar Association 
PRO BONO/COMMUNITY
  • Houston Bar Association