Danny David > Baker Botts L.L.P. > Houston, United States > Lawyer Profile

Baker Botts L.L.P. relies on ‘trial lawyers who are good on their feet, good writers, and good communicators‘. The firm is most active in matters in the technology and energy industries, though its work in big-ticket merger litigation in the financial services, healthcare and consumer products sectors continues to grow. Danny David in Houston, who ‘has the ability to see through complex issues and distil them to what matters‘ and is now the firm’s managing partner, leads the litigation practice along with co-chair Bridget Moore in Washington DC, while Jessica Pulliam in Dallas and ‘big picture thinker‘ Amy Hefley in Houston are co-chairs of the securities litigation group. Key partner Richard Harper in New York continues to represent John C. Malone, Greg B. Maffei, and Liberty Broadband Corporation in a shareholder derivative lawsuit in Delaware Chancery Court challenging a $5bn Liberty Broadband investment as part of the Charter Communications-Time Warner Cable-Bright House Networks merger.

The multidisciplinary practice at Baker Botts L.L.P. is formed of specialists in IP, employment, commercial and tech law, the range of which are channelled into its trade secrets offering.  The team is experienced defending its corporate clients in claims of misappropriation brought by competitors. Tech and energy are the key industry sectors of focus for the practice and it represents such names as Mastercard and Dell Technologies on an ongoing basis. Christa Brown-Sanford based in Dallas is the firm’s IP department chair, Jennifer Tempesta in New York is the IP group’s deputy chair, while David Wille, also in Dallas, co-chairs the trade secrets group alongside Cheryl Cauley in Palo Alto. Houston’s Danny David and Paul Morico are key trial lawyers in the team, and Katharine Burke in Washington DC is also a name to note.

Baker Botts L.L.P. is a big name in the energy sector, acting for major clients including ConocoPhillips and Apache Corporation. Additionally, it is increasingly involved in high-stakes matters in the telecoms, real estate, and professional services sectors. Houston-based managing partner Danny David oversees the firm’s securities litigation work along with global litigation co-chair Bridget Moore in Washington DC., as well as co-chairs of the securities litigation practice Jessica Pulliam in Dallas and Houston-based Amy Hefley. Pulliam is handling two 10b5 cases for AT&T concerning the use of lead-clad cables in the telecom industry. Former head of litigation David Sterling recently worked with Hefley and up-and-coming New York partner Brian Kerr to defend Chicago Bridge & Iron Company in a notable class action case.

Baker Botts L.L.P. is recognized for its prowess when it comes to oil, gas, and energy-related disputes, though the national practice group’s caseload also encompasses a full range of complex commercial matters, including issues of contract and fiduciary duty, unfair competition, false advertising, as well as product and professional liability. Managing partner Danny David and ‘amazing talent’ Amy Hefley co-head the team from Houston alongside Washington DC’s Bridget Moore, who is noted for her expertise in securities litigation and white-collar investigations. Austin’s Stephanie Cagniart stands out for her experience arguing before multiple courts of appeals including the Texas Supreme Court. Linda Martin joined from Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP  in April 2025