Tyler Henkel

Partner

• Representative Experience

  Probate Litigation

  We have successfully pursued and defended against will contests and fiduciary actions with millions and billions of dollars at stake. We have handled these matters in Texas and out-of-state jurisdictions, probate courts, county courts at law, and arbitration. We have also been involved in high-stakes guardianship matters, including those in which confidentiality was at a premium.

  Oil and Gas & Environmental Litigation

  We successfully defended a Houston manufacturer in possibly the largest civil case ever filed over one of the largest environmental disasters of the industrial age – the multi-district litigation arising from the blow-out of BP’s Deepwater Horizon well in the Gulf of Mexico. Although our client was named as a person of interest in the initial U.S. Coasts Guard investigation, we proved that the sub-sea wellhead manufactured by our client did not fail and was not a cause of the disaster. While other defendants paid billions of dollars in judgments and settlements, our client was exonerated by summary judgment. Years later, we were asked to defend a BOP refurbisher and shear ram manufacturer in another blowout case where we were again successful in defending our client.

  Catastrophic Injury & Products Liability Litigation

  We have litigated personal injury and products defect cases where tens of millions and even hundreds of millions of dollars have been claimed. We have dealt with burn cases, brain injuries, broken bones and spines, and cases involving all kinds of other injuries.

  International Arbitration

  On behalf of international and domestic companies, we obtained a complete defense award in a case brought by disgruntled former owners.

  Construction Litigation

  We have successfully litigated numerous construction cases of all types and all sizes.

  Commercial Litigation

  We regularly litigate matters in trial courts and arbitration concerning claims of breach of contract and nonpayment.

  Insurance Coverage Litigation

  We have successfully defended insurance carriers and pursued claims on behalf of our corporate clients for insurance coverage. Over the course of Tyler’s career, he has obtained summary judgments dismissing hundreds of millions dollars in claims against insurance clients.

  Employment Litigation

  We have successfully litigated and tried cases involving executive compensation. We are regularly engaged to file suits on behalf of employers to enforce non-compete agreements and other restrictive covenants and to prevent injury from unfair competition. These matters often require immediate action in the form of petitions for temporary restraining orders and temporary injunctions. By seeking immediate relief, we have often been successful in preventing an injury to our client before it occurs.

• Recognitions
  • Recognized by Best Lawyers for Construction Litigation, 2024-2025
  • Texas Super Lawyers, Rising Stars, General Litigation, Thomson Reuters (2015-2021)
  • Transactional Law Certificate
  • Ernst and Young Achievement Award for Outstanding Achievement in Tax Accounting
• Professional & Community Activities
  • Texas Bar Foundation Fellow
  • Texas Association of Defense Counsel (TADC), District 18 Director/Houston
  • Board of Directors, Bellaire Little League
  • Co-Author, The Testamentary Exception to the Attorney Client Privilege: A Trap for the Unwary and Treasure Trove for the Savvy, TADC Magazine (Spring/Summer 2025)
  • Author, Shareholder Claims After Ritchie v. Rupe, TADC Magazine (Fall/Winter 2020)
  • Emory Bankruptcy Developments Journal, Managing Editor
• Admissions
  • State Bar of Texas
  • Southern and Eastern Districts of Texas