Kelly Sandill
Partner
Kelly’s practice focuses on complex business litigation and white collar criminal defense. On the civil side, she has successfully represented public and private sector clients on a wide range of matters, including securities litigation, oil and gas proceedings, contract disputes, fraud actions, professional liability cases, bankruptcy-related litigation, product liability actions and First Amendment litigation. Her civil practice involves representation of clients both at the trial stage and in appellate proceedings.
On the criminal defense side, Kelly represents individuals and businesses in white collar criminal proceedings in the federal and state courts. She also has experience advising companies in connection with criminal investigations conducted by local, state, and federal authorities.
In addition to her litigation practice, Kelly has significant experience with campaign finance law and government ethics. She is able to advise individual and business clients on those matters, as well as on compliance with the laws and regulations governing state and federal political elections.
Representative Experience
- Trial and appellate counsel for major metropolitan city in state court action under Texas Expedited Declaratory Judgment Act to validate city ordinance adopting increase in water and sewer service rates. Obtained judgment in favor of city in trial court and on appeal.
- Trial counsel for major oil and gas company in federal court action to compel arbitration of dispute with party to joint operating agreement concerning costs associated with rigs rendered idle by federal moratorium on drilling in Deepwater Gulf of Mexico. Action pending.
- Trial and appellate counsel for oil and gas producer in federal court action alleging conspiracy and racketeering related to acquisition of oil and gas leases. Obtained dismissal due to plaintiffs’ failure to state a claim; appeal pending.
- Trial and appellate counsel for oil and gas company in federal court action by Ukrainian company relating to dispute over parties’ joint development of natural gas fields in Ukraine. Obtained stay of case pending arbitration in Stockholm, Sweden; action pending
- Trial counsel for aircraft manufacturer in state court action arising from fatal injury to mechanic who opened door of pressurized aircraft on the ground. Action pending.
- Trial counsel for aircraft manufacturer in federal court action by buyer of aircraft seeking to rescind purchase agreement. Action pending.
- Appellate counsel for major oil producer in plaintiffs’ state court appeal from “take nothing” arbitration award and judgment obtained in favor of producer on plaintiffs’ claims of failure to re-assign certain federal leases in Deepwater Gulf of Mexico. Appeal pending.
- Trial counsel for board of directors of tax reinvestment zone in state court action brought by developer whose proposals had been considered and rejected by board. Agreed take-nothing judgment entered after filing motion for summary judgment on behalf of board.
- Trial counsel for mortgage broker indicted by United States on fourteen counts of criminal conspiracy and wire fraud. Obtained favorable plea agreement under superseding indictment and sentence of five months, plus probation.
- Trial and appellate counsel for major metropolitan mass transit authority in multi-million dollar state court contract dispute with manufacturer of automated fare collection systems. Case settled on favorable terms for client.
- Counsel for energy sector services company in connection with government investigation relating to federal export and trade regulations. Matter pending.
- Counsel for CPA subpoenaed in a series of civil tax cases relating to investments handled by CPA’s former employer, two directors of which were convicted of federal tax evasion. Matters pending.
Publications
- The Essentials of E-Discovery (Top Five) Straightline (February 2012)
- Federal District Court Says "No" to Forum Selection Bylaws (March 23, 2011)
- "Rekindling an Old Flame: The Supreme Court Revives Its 'Love Affair With Environmental Litigation,' in Friends of the Earth v. Laidlaw Environmental Services" 37 Hou. L. Rev. 955 (2000)
Professional Recognition
- Texas Rising Star, Texas Monthly (2012)
