Laurens Wilkes' practice focuses on complex civil litigation in state and federal courts. He represents clients in the energy, construction, and financial industries in litigation, counseling, and regulatory matters. He has led breach of contract, products liability, fraud and fiduciary duty, trade secret, and tort matters as well as internal and governmental investigations. Laurens has trial and arbitration experience in multibillion dollar matters, including serving in lead roles at trial and as a core team member in a significant five-week jury trial. He routinely handles preliminary restraining orders and injunctions and advises on complex evidentiary and procedural issues.
Laurens' experience includes work for Babcock Power, Bechtel Corporation, CECO Environmental, Cintra Infrastructures (Ferrovial Group), Dresser-Rand, Flint Hills Resources, Franklin Templeton, IBM, Jacobs Engineering Group, Newpark Resources, Occidental Chemical Corporation, Origins Bank, SAP, and Total. He implements and manages e-discovery policies and practices for clients around the globe related to major multiparty and multiforum litigation.
Laurens is an active member of the Construction Law Sections of the American Bar Association and State Bar of Texas, an advisory board member for the Institute for Energy Law, and a member of the Eastern District of Texas and Fifth Circuit Bar Associations. He is involved with the Houston Bar Association, having served as a co-chair of the Special Olympics Committee, and a member of the Administration of Justice Committee and the United Way, including serving on the United Way Young Leaders Council. Laurens also serves as the administrative partner for the Houston Office.
Experience
- The University of Texas at Austin (J.D. with honors 2005); Tufts University (B.A. in Philosophy summa cum laude 2002)
- Texas, Georgia, all U.S. District Courts in Texas, and U.S. Courts of Appeals for the Fifth and Ninth Circuits
Selected as a "Rising Star" for 2018 by Law360
Named to "Top 100 Up-and-Coming Texas Rising Stars" for 2017 by Texas Super Lawyers
Recognized as a "Rising Star" by Texas Super Lawyers (2014-2020)
Fellow, Texas Bar Foundation
Fellow, American Bar Foundation
- Law Clerk to the Honorable Ron Clark, U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Texas (2005-2007)