David J. Beck

In 2004, United States Supreme Court Chief Justice William Rehnquist appointed Mr. Beck to the prestigious Judicial Conference Standing Committee on Rules of Practice and Procedure. The Committee’s members include some of the leading judges, academicians, and practitioners in the United States. In 2007, Chief Justice John Roberts reappointed him to a three-year term on the Committee.

Representative Experience

• Texas Supreme Court affirms dismissal of $535 million judgement against Enterprise Products Partners LP. 
• Lead counsel in defense of Cameron International Corporation (blowout preventer manufacturer) in the Gulf oil spill Multidistrict Litigation. After six weeks of trial, the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana found that Cameron was not liable to any claimant and entered an order completely dismissing Cameron from the litigation.
• Trial victory for Exxon Mobil Corporation (“ExxonMobil”) in Exxon Mobil Corp. v. Trade Exploration et al.; pending in the 189th Judicial District Court of Harris County, Texas. ExxonMobil was seeking indemnity from an entity and certain individuals who had bought mineral interests from ExxonMobil in Louisiana, and had promised to defend and indemnify ExxonMobil from any future litigation. As a result of the buyers’ wrongful refusal to uphold their promises, ExxonMobil had to settle two major environmental lawsuits in Louisiana, including claims for $3.9 billion. After a nearly three-week trial, ExxonMobil won a victory on all jury issues. Judgment was entered, and the case is now pending before the Houston Court of Appeals. Reagan Brown of Norton Rose Fulbright and Joe Thompson of Watt Thompson also had major roles in the trial.
• In Camilla Hardy, et al, v. Second Street Properties, et al, several limited partners in a limited partnership removed the general partner, our client, and then unlawfully elected a replacement without his consent. When our client sued to enforce his rights under the Partnership Agreement, the limited partners countersued, claiming he breached his fiduciary and contractual duties by acquiring certain properties years earlier. After trial, the jury found that our client never agreed to majority election of a replacement general partner and that he complied with his contractual and fiduciary duties in two of the three major transactions. Although the jury found our client liable on the transaction through which he acquired the “City and District Tracts”, the jury awarded only $1 in damages. The trial court also required the Partnership to reimburse our client for his acquisition and holding costs. This case is currently on appeal.
• Obtained defense verdict for Memorial Hermann Hospital System in a major antitrust lawsuit in Texas state court as lead counsel. Assisted by Beck Redden partner Geoff Gannaway, the trial lasted almost two and a half months. The plaintiffs, who were physician-investors in a now defunct physician-owned hospital in West Houston, claimed that Memorial Hermann was responsible for their hospital’s failure and asserted antitrust claims and claims for tortious interference with prospective and existing business relationships. The plaintiffs sought millions in actual damages, plus several millions in attorneys’ fees. The jury entered a complete defense verdict.
• Lead trial counsel for Level 3 Communications, Global Crossing, and Qwest Communications in a patent infringement action tried to a federal court jury in Marshall, Texas. The companies, builders/owners of the cable infrastructure of the internet, were accused of infringing patent claims related to voice-over-internet-telephony (“VOIP”). The case settled favorably after the patent owner presented its evidence to the jury.
• Lead trial counsel for ExxonMobil Corporation in a breach of contract lawsuit brought by a former ExxonMobil executive who was seeking millions of dollars. The lawsuit also questioned the validity of the company-wide executive compensation program. The jury returned a complete defense verdict.