Profil
Craig Duewall is an experienced litigator that frequently handles some of the most complex and interesting cases. Craig particularly enjoys going to court. He focuses his complex commercial litigation and arbitration practice on disputes involving class actions, trade secrets, private equity investment, business divorces and breakups, environmental enforcement, oil and gas, green energy and renewable resources, power generation and utilities, energy trading, securities fraud, fiduciary duty and shareholder disputes, commercial construction, real estate development, business and partnership disputes, bankruptcy, and insurance coverage. He represents plaintiffs and defendants across the United States in matters before state and federal district courts, state and federal appellate courts, and arbitration tribunals. He has also kept a close watch on the formation of the Texas Business Courts while continuing to serve on the Texas Business Law Foundation’s Business Court Working Group. Craig works with clients across numerous industry platforms, always seeking to understand the client’s culture, business processes, short and long-term goals, business objectives, and strategic needs; thereby allowing the development of litigation strategies that are unique and cost effective for the individual client.
Concentrations- Oil & gas
- Traditional Energy
- Green Energy and Renewable Resources
- Environmental
- Construction and Real Estate
- Commercial
- Manufacturing
- Private Equity
- Insurance
- Texas Business Courts
- Bankruptcy Litigation
Kompetencje
Doświadczenie
- Obtained summary judgment on behalf of Health Insurance Client in a lawsuit brought by nine emergency room physician groups seeking reimbursement for alleged underpayment on 5+ years of disputed emergency room billings. The lawsuit, filed in Travis County, Texas, was an issue of first impression and alleged that the insurer had failed to pay the proper amount for out-of-network emergency services that were rendered to insurance plan members from 2015 through 2020. The doctor staffing plaintiffs alleged that defendants had underpaid more than 15,000 ER visits and they alleged damages exceeded $100 million. Plaintiffs asserted claims under Section 1271 of the Texas Insurance Code. They also alleged unfair settlement practices under Section 541 of the Texas Insurance Code, alleged violations of the Texas Prompt Payment Act, quantum merit, and sought a declaratory judgment asking the jury to set reimbursement rates going forward. All claims were disputed and dismissed with prejudice via summary judgment.
- Represented defendant (wind energy developer) that was sued in relation to the Winter Storm Uri event in Texas. Plaintiffs alleged that wind developer had failed to provide/generate power during the winter storm event and all cases were eventually referred to Texas Multidistrict Litigation. Claims against client were eventually dismissed upon showing that the client had in fact delivered excess energy during Winter Storm Uri.
- Represented defendants (oil and gas exploration and production companies) in numerous class action lawsuits alleging improper payment of Oklahoma gas well royalties. Plaintiffs alleged that no deductions could be taken at the well-head. Dispute was resolved after summary judgment arguments and before class certification.
- Represented defendant national grocery store chain in numerous class actions brought in federal court alleging price fixing and price gauging related to egg prices during the Covid 19 pandemic. Plaintiffs alleged that defendants had improperly marked up the cost of eggs during the early months of Covid 19. The cases were all dismissed and the dismissal was eventually upheld by the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals.
- Represented private equity portfolio company in numerous class actions brought in federal court alleging wage and hour violations. Plaintiffs alleged that workers at oil and gas service companies had not been properly paid overtime benefits. Cases were filed in two states (Texas and New Mexico). All case were resolved before class certification.
- Represented super major oil and gas operator in Gulf of Mexico disputes involving development and operation of deepwater oil and gas gathering system and production. Confidential resolution was reached via arbitration.
- Represented claimant (owner of Permian based water production assets and water pipelines) in dispute involving purchase of water assets and water pipeline resources in New Mexico. Claims exceeded $10,000,000 and were brought in Colorado State Court in Denver. Client recovered on all claims asserted.
- Represented claimant (owner of Permian based wastewater disposal assets) in dispute involving the purchase and sale agreement for wastewater disposal wells and permits in Texas. Claims exceeded $50,000,000 and were brought in Texas State Court in Houston. The court granted the client’s motion for summary judgment and the client recovered on all claims asserted.
- Represented defendant (oil and gas pipeline owner) in dispute involving purchase of pipeline in South Texas. Plaintiff alleged failure to perform under purchase and sale agreement. All claims were resolved and all claims were dismissed with prejudice.
- Represented defendant (water pipeline owner and operator) in dispute involving design and construction of water pipeline in Colorado. Claims included delay and construction related issues. Client recovered on all claims asserted.
- Represented defendant (oil and gas private equity investor) in federal litigation alleging tortious interference with employment contracts and business disparagement. Plaintiff alleged that private equity investor was liable for improperly dictating terms associated with investment. All claims were dismissed with prejudice.
- Represented claimant (oil and gas exploration and production company) in AAA arbitration involving disputed Joint Operating Agreement and disputed AMI (Area of Mutual Interest). Client prevailed in all claims.°
- Represented defendant (oil and gas exploration and production company executive) in a multi-defendant litigation in South Texas concerning oil and gas leases covering approximately 50,000 acres. Plaintiff alleged defendants conspired to misappropriate plaintiff’s Eagle Ford Shale opportunity. Cause of action against client was dismissal with prejudice three days before trial. Remaining defendants (represented by another firm) were found liable and jury awarded approximately $95 million in damages.°
- Represented defendant (oil and gas exploration and production company) in litigation alleging trespass to try title, lease termination, and trespass claims concerning oil and gas leases covering mineral rights located in two different counties in Texas. Court dismissed plaintiff’s claims against client with prejudice.°
- Represented defendant (oil and gas exploration and production company) in litigation alleging trespass to try title, termination of an underlying lease due to failure to produce in paying quantities, and trespass claims concerning oil and gas leases and the drilling of an Eagle Ford Shale well pursuant to client’s lease. The matter was resolved in the client’s favor, the court dismissed plaintiff’s claims against client with prejudice, and the court further acknowledged the client’s lease as the current lease in force and effect.°
- Represented defendant (oil and gas exploration and production company) in litigation alleging breach of an oral contract and attempting to impose a constructive trust concerning oil and gas leases in South Texas. The matter was resolved in the client’s favor and court dismissed all claims.°
- Represented defendant (oil and gas exploration and production company) in litigation seeking a declaratory judgment and interpretation of terms and provisions of oil and gas lease and assignment of leases in Texas. All claims dismissed against client via summary judgment.°
- Represented defendant (oil and gas exploration and production company) in litigation alleging trespass to try title claims related to oil and gas leases granted by two different Catholic Dioceses in Texas. The Diocese of Laredo and the Diocese of San Antonio were asserting mineral rights over the same mineral leases. Litigation was resolved in the client’s favor and all claims were dismissed by the court with prejudice.°
- Represented defendant in a cause of action alleging theft of trade secrets and breach of contractual non-compete and confidentiality obligations concerning loss of business opportunities from oil and gas leases. The litigation was successfully resolved prior to trial.°
- Represented defendant (oil and gas exploration and production company) in Louisiana state and federal litigation alleging environmental claims associated with Coastal Use Permitting.
- Represented defendant in litigation in Texas State Court concerning issues involving the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality.
- Represented defendant in litigation in Texas Federal Court concerning issues involving Federal Super Fund.
- Represented claimant (international private equity investor) in AAA arbitration concerning portfolio company investment and seeking declaratory judgment regarding amendments made to portfolio company agreement and dismissal of minority partner.
- Assisted in representation of Defendant (officer, general partner and venture capital promoter) against security fraud claims, wherein the plaintiffs sought to recover their initial investments and other damages exceeding $50,000,000.00.°
- Represented clients in numerous matters involving claims in state court and arbitration related to the planning, design and construction of single family and multi-family construction projects. Matters involved complex construction issues and systems, including but not limited to foundation, framing, roofing systems, stucco, window and door installation, water penetration, and building envelope. Representation has included owners, contractors, subcontractors, and design professionals.
- Represented clients in numerous matters involving claims in state court related to the creation and scope of easements, including the creation and/or interpretation of easement rights over the shores and waters of the Highland Lakes in/around Central Texas.
- Represented clients in numerous matters involving commercial lease disputes.
- Assisted in obtaining $1,800,000 pre-judgment writ of attachment against a publicly traded corporation that abandoned an entire office building and breached its commercial lease agreement.°
°The above representations were handled by Mr. Duewall prior to his joining Greenberg Traurig, LLP.
Sukcesy i wyróżnienia
- Listed, The Best Lawyers in America
- Commercial Litigation, 2022-2025
- Oil and Gas Law, 2023
- Listed, Texas Super Lawyers, Rising Stars, 2014
- Member, Austin Bar Association
- Board of Directors, Civil Litigation Section, 2018-Present
- Chair, Litigation Section, 2010-2011
- Member, Texas State Bar
- Member, Litigation Section
- Member, Oil, Gas & Energy Resources Law Section
- Member, Construction Section
- Texas Business Law Foundation
- Member, Texas Business Courts Working Group
- Member, Federal Bar Association
- Member, Litigation Section
- Member, Independent Petroleum Association of America
- Member, Business Development Committee
Kwalifikacje
- J.D., South Texas College of Law
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B.S., Political Science, Texas A&M University
- Member, Pi Kappa Phi
- Member, Order of Omega
- Hon. Alberto R. Gonzalez, Supreme Court of Texas, Summer 1999
- Hon. Ewing Werlein Jr., U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas, Fall 1998
- Hon. Michael H. Schneider, Texas First District Court of Appeals, Fall 1998
- Texas
- Colorado
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit
- U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas
- U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas
- U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas
- U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas