Brandon T. Darden

Brandon T. Darden is a partner in the firm practicing primarily in the areas of oil and gas law, commercial litigation, and bankruptcy. He also handles general business advices, including counseling clients on how to avoid litigation. Brandon has a wide range of experience in the oil and gas industry, representing clients in negotiations and disputes over joint operating agreements, pipeline rights of way, and natural gas processing agreements. His litigation experience also includes the handling of complex contract disputes, international fraudulent transfers, expropriation and other property ownership disputes, real estate commission disputes, debt collection actions, and arbitrations. He has experience in the construction, heavy-haul transportation, and banking industries as well. Brandon is licensed to practice law in both Louisiana and Texas and has made numerous appearances in the state and federal courts of both jurisdictions.

Brandon joined the firm in 2016 after practicing with a large firm in Houston, Texas for several years. He received his Bachelor of Arts in History and Medieval Studies from Southern Methodist University in 2008, where he also received his Phi Beta Kappa key. Brandon obtained his Juris Doctor from the Dedman School of Law at Southern Methodist University in 2011. While attending SMU, he was the Case Note & Comment Editor for the Science and Technology Law Review and his Law Review Comment appeared in the Spring 2010 edition of that publication. Brandon also served on the Dedman School of Law’s Board of Advocates Executive Council and competed on several mock trial teams. While in law school, Brandon interned for Judge Harlin D. Hale of the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of Texas.

AREAS OF PRACTICE

EDUCATION

Southern Methodist University, Dedman School of Law, J.D., cum laude, 2011
Southern Methodist University, B.A., summa cum laude, with honors, 2008

BAR ADMISSIONS

All Louisiana State and Federal Courts
All Texas State Courts
U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas
U.S. Court of Appeals, Fifth Circuit

honors/awards

Case Note & Comment Editor for Science and Technology Law Review
Phi Beta Kappa

professional associations, memberships & activities

American Bar Association
Louisiana State Bar Association
New Orleans Bar Association
State Bar of Texas
Houston Bar Association
Southern Methodist University Young Alumni Association

publications

Definitional Vagueness in the CFAA: Will Cyberbullying Cause the Supreme Court to Intervene?" SMU Science and Technology Law Review Comment, Vol. XIII.3 (2010)
Laissez Les Competition Rouler: How Louisiana’s Non-Compete Statute Can Lead to Challenges for Employers and Employees in Other Jurisdictions

representative experience

Counsel for oil and gas operator in dispute with non-operators
Trial co-counsel for oil and gas exploration company in royalty interest dispute
Trial co-counsel for natural gas processing company in breach of contract suit with gas gatherer
Lead counsel in arbitration over attorneys’ fees
Co-counsel for international industrial company pursuing fraudulent transfer dispute
Co-counsel for oil and gas company in negligent misrepresentation and statutory fraud dispute
Argued and won several summary judgments for clients on (1) breach of promissory note claim, (2) fraud claims, and (3) negligence claims.
Argued and won Special Appearance for non-resident defendant sued in Texas state court
Co-counsel in Foreign Corrupt Practices Act investigation and other internal corporate investigations

Contact Info