T: 713-221-2346
E: lmurphy@skv.com
W: www.skv.com
Garland “Land” Murphy loves finding the right answer for his clients. He has a knack for quickly identifying a dispute’s key questions and then answering those questions efficiently. Land is dedicated to obtaining the same exceptional results for his clients from pre-suit dispute resolution through trial and to final appeal. He has obtained outstanding results for his clients through jury trials, arbitrations, administrative proceedings, and appeals, with substantial experience representing clients in the energy industry.
In 2017, Land first-chaired a jury trial in Texas state court, securing a jury verdict and a $6,500,000 final judgment for his real estate client in a breach of a settlement agreement and theft of real property suit. Land also reached favourable settlements in suits filed on behalf of a large oil and gas client against working interest owners who failed to pay their share of expenses.
In 2016, Land successfully defended a financial advisor sued by a competitor after the advisor participated in a Texas attorney general’s investigation into price-fixing and collusion in the municipal utility district bond refinancing market. The state court dismissed all claims and awarded attorney’s fees and sanctions to Land’s client. In past years, Land obtained a summary judgment for a global energy concern that a $1,000,000 liquidated damages clause in an oil and gas lease was an unenforceable penalty. Land obtained a favorable settlement for a Fortune 10 company in a dispute over a well pad accident that caused an uncontrolled release. He obtained a final judgment in favor of a trucking company owner after a jury trial on breach of fiduciary duty claims. He represented a small contractor over claims for compensation owed for its work constructing a pipeline across the Tigris River at the height of the Iraqi insurgency. He also briefed and argued an insurance coverage issue in arbitration for a global accounting firm resulting in a seven-figure award. Land successfully defended a drill bit manufacturer against misappropriation of trade secrets claims brought by a much larger competitor. He also successfully represented a new artificial lift venture whose employees were accused of misappropriating their former employer’s trade secrets. He briefed and argued an appeal that reversed a nearly $1 million judgment against his clients, a small E&P company and its owner.
Land received his J.D., summa cum laude, from Pepperdine University School of Law in 2005. After law school, Land served as law clerk to the Honorable Diarmuid F. O’Scannlain, United States Circuit Judge for the Ninth Circuit.
Last updated October 2018