Jim Robichaux has assumed Senior Counsel status with the firm, and, after nearly 45 years, has retired from an active trial and appellate practice. Jim continues to assist members of the firm as needed; focusing that assistance on complex business disputes, eminent domain, oil and gas, and personal injury litigation.
Education
B.B.A. in Accounting, University of Texas, 1977 — With Honors – Member, Phi Kappa Phi and Beta Gamma Sigma
J.D., University of Texas, 1979
Representative Matters
- Obtained high-six figure (confidential) settlement on behalf of clients involved in an oilfield case relating to defective pipe; despite the application of the Economic Loss Rule, statutory indemnity, and a target foreign defendant with no assets in the United States upon which to execute; all of which would have precluded any recovery.
- Obtained a six-figure (confidential) settlement for mineral owners in a lease termination dispute, despite the fact that the producing wells remained tens of millions of dollars below payout.
- Obtained a mid-six figure monetary recovery and the award of mineral interests to land purchasers, despite language in the conveyance instruments that the sellers and Lessee oil companies asserted conveyed no mineral interest to the purchaser (client).
- Obtained a complete defense arbitration award and judgment in a case involving a terminated attorney/shareholder suing for wrongful termination, defamation, breach of fiduciary duties, tortious interference, business disparagement, and malice against the law firm of which he was a decades-long employee and shareholder and its remaining 19 shareholders who voted to authorize his termination. In addition, an award and judgment of almost $800,000 in attorneys fees was obtained on behalf of the law firm and its shareholders and against the terminated attorney/shareholder.
- Obtained a series of summary judgments against multiple plaintiffs who falsely and maliciously accused the client and his law firm of committing acts of barratry, conspiracy, breach of fiduciary duty, and legal malpractice. All plaintiffs’ claims were dismissed with prejudice. A Motion for Sanctions against their lawyers resulted in a $250,000.00 sanction award in arbitration.
- Obtained mid-eight figure (confidential) settlement on behalf of clients involved in a series of oil and gas partnerships with large Fortune 500 entity involving allegations of usury and partnership mismanagement.
- Successfully defended clients accused of theft of a geological prospect involving multi-billion dollar damage model — obtaining defense verdict at trial.
- Obtained appellate victory awarding client (the property seller) mineral interests the buyer claimed had not been successfully reserved in conveyance instrument; reversing summary judgment for buyer.
Experience
Adjunct Professor of Law, Corpus Christi State University (now Texas A&M – Corpus Christi), 1985-1987
Professional
Admitted to practice before the U.S. Court of Appeals, Fifth Circuit
Admitted to the Bar of the United States Supreme Court
Routinely listed in The Best Lawyers in America® for Bet-the-Company Litigation, Commercial Litigation, and Mass Tort Litigation
AV rated, Martindale-Hubbell
Routinely listed as a Thompson Reuters’ Texas Super Lawyer
Fellow Emeritus in The Litigation Counsel of America, a trial lawyer honor society
Co-authored an article for the California Western Law Review entitled “Council on Environmental Quality-Defining Human Environment,” 1980
Life Fellow, Texas Bar Foundation
Personal
Jim and his wife split their time between homes in Georgetown, Texas and Durango, Colorado. They enjoy cycling, kayaking, fly fishing, travel abroad, involvement in their church, and the joys of mountain living.
