A Houston trial court has granted summary judgment in favor of Ware Jackson’s client, a major international energy company. The plaintiff company had claimed the client breached a settlement agreement from a prior patent infringement suit, which it asked the court to rescind, and sought over $11 million in alleged lost profits and expenses, as well as attorneys’ fees. Ware Jackson successfully argued on summary judgment that the client did not cause any injury to the plaintiff and that the plaintiff’s contract claim was barred by res judicata and the statute of limitations. The litigation team included Eileen O’Neill, Paul Smith, Michelle Blair, Tyler Henkel, and Jordan Parker.

Ware Jackson is proud to announce that six of our partners have been recognized by Super Lawyers, a Thomson Reuters publication as Texas Super Lawyers in 2025. Only 5% of Texas attorneys are selected in a multi-phase process based on peer recognition and professional achievement. This year’s Super Lawyer honorees are Don Jackson, Tim Lee, Eileen O’Neill, Paul Smith, Dennis Barrow, and Ferg McNiel.

Additionally, Ware Jackson is excited to announce that partner, Avery Sheppard, has been recognized as one of the 2025 Texas Rising Stars by Super Lawyers, a Thomson Reuters publication. Less than 2.5% of Texas attorneys are selected for this honor, which is based on peer nomination, independent research, and peer evaluation.

Ware Jackson is pleased to announce that eight of its lawyers have been included in the 2026 edition of The Best Lawyers in America. Since it was first published in 1983, Best Lawyers has become universally regarded as the definitive guide to legal excellence. Lawyers on The Best Lawyers in America list are divided by geographic region and practice areas. They are reviewed by their peers based on professional expertise.

These are the attorneys recognized as the 2026 Best Lawyers in America:

Don Jackson

• Arbitration, Closely Held Companies and Family Businesses Law, Energy Law, Commercial Litigation, Litigation – Construction, Litigation – Environmental, Litigation – Labor and Employment, Litigation – Trusts and Estates, Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions – Defendants, Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions – Plaintiffs

Timothy Lee

• Appellate Practice

Paul Smith

• Commercial Litigation, Litigation – Construction, Personal Injury Litigation – Defendants

Dennis Barrow

• Litigation – Construction, Commercial Litigation

Eileen O’Neill

• Appellate Practice, Commercial Litigation, Employment Law – Management

Tyler Henkel

• Litigation – Construction

Margaret Bryant

• Appellate Practice, Litigation – Construction

Ferguson McNeill

• Commercial Litigation, Litigation – Construction