As a partner in the Houston location of Fulbright & Jaworski L.L.P., Julie focuses her practice on litigation matters and represents a broad range of clients from Fortune 100 companies to individual business owners. Her practice ranges from pharmaceutical/medical device and products liability litigation to commercial litigation and appellate work. 

Julie has litigated in both state and federal court and has tried multiple cases to verdict. She has extensive experience deposing key witnesses, preparing company witnesses to give testimony, developing experts, and arguing various procedural and dispositive issues, such as venue, jurisdiction, and summary judgment. Julie has managed dockets coordinated in MDL proceedings, and has significant experience advising clients on resolution strategies.  Julie has led successful appeals to both the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals and Texas appellate courts and has obtained summary judgment on behalf of numerous clients.

Prior to joining the Firm, Julie practiced as a briefing attorney for Justice Deborah Hankinson of the Texas Supreme Court. 

Business Disputes

• Represented real estate investment company in arbitration over financing for and management of apartment complex; obtained favorable judgment for client
• Obtained summary judgment for commercial truck dealership in breach of warranty and fraud case involving fleet of trucks and alleged failure of plaintiff's trucking business
• Obtained summary judgment for energy trading company in breach of contract dispute involving alleged failure to pay employee multi-million dollar bonus
• Obtained summary judgment on behalf of oilfield services client in breach of contract dispute involving purchase of chemicals
• Represented auction house in breach of contract dispute regarding sale of famous artist's personal artifacts; obtained dismissal for client
• Represented major oil company as the plaintiff in a multi-million dollar indemnity dispute; obtained favorable settlement for client
• Represented customs brokerage agency in breach of contract dispute involving pipe imported from Mexico
• Represented multiple companies facing or asserting breach of contract, misrepresentation, unfair business practices, and other commercial claims

Prescription Drugs & Medical Devices

• Member of team representing leading pharmaceutical company in hundreds of product liability cases alleging defect in prescription anti-inflammatory drug; part of team defending company at first trial in the nation
• Member of team representing leading pharmaceutical company in hundreds of product liability cases alleging defect in prescription anti-cholesterol drug; part of team defending company at first trial in the nation
• Member of national team representing leading pharmaceutical company in product liability cases alleging defect in prescription oral contraceptive
• Member of national team representing leading medical device company in product liability cases alleging defect in defibrillation lead
• Member of team representing leading pharmaceutical company in product liability cases alleging defect in prescription protease inhibitor drug
• Represented pharmaceutical company in class action based on claim of defective over-the-counter product; obtained summary judgment for client

Catastrophic Injuries/Mass Torts

• Represented pipeline company in a wrongful death suit based on claims of inadequate supervision; reached favorable settlement for client
• Obtained dismissal of claim against premises liability defendant in personal injury action involving worksite accident
• Represented numerous companies in a variety of product liability and personal injury claims involving explosions and other catastrophic industrial accidents

Appeals

• Represented Maryland auction house as appellee before Fifth Circuit over dismissal of case for lack of personal jurisdiction; Fifth Circuit affirmed dismissal
• Represented energy trading company as appellee on appeal of trial court's summary judgment; court of appeals affirmed summary judgment
• Defended oil and gas company in trial court and on appeal involving sealing of confidential documents
• Represented companies nationwide in preparing Daubert, summary judgment, and appellate briefing

• International Association of Defense Lawyers
  • Products Liability Committee
• American Bar Association
  • Litigation Section
• Houston Bar Association
  • Litigation and Appellate Sections
• Women's Energy Network 

• "Rising Star," Civil Litigation, Law & Politics (2005 - 2010)

Julie's most recent articles include: 

• Co-author with Katherine Mackillop, "Despite Levine, Section 82.007 - and Its Limitations on Pharmaceutical Warnings Claims - Remains Alive and Well In Texas," Texas Bar Journal, May 2009
• "SEC Filing Requirements: Do You Risk Waiving a Privilege?" IADC Newsletter, 2007

Julie is a frequent speaker and has given in-house presentations on a variety of topics, including privilege, litigation pitfalls found in indemnity agreements, contract drafting, FAS 5, and various procedural issues. Julie's most recent speeches include:

• "Intersection of the Media and the Law," September 28, 2010
• "Negotiating and Drafting Contracts," April 15, 2009
• "Contracts: Risk Allocation in Uncertain Times," March 4, 2009
• "Recent Developments in Attorney-Client Privilege," October 7, 2008
• "SEC Disclosures, Proposed Amendments to FAS 5, and the Impact on Privilege," August 22, 2008
• "Indemnity and Anti-Indemnity in the Gulf Coast Region," March 20, 2006
• "Trends in Energy Litigation: Indemnification Agreements," November 2, 2005

1999 - J.D., honors, The University of Texas School of Law
1995 - B.S., magna cum laude, Political Science and Philosophy, Texas Christian University

Julie is licensed to practice law in the State of Texas and in the United States District Courts for the Southern, Western, and Eastern Districts, as well as in the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals. She was admitted to practice in 1999.

Julie enjoys spending her free time with her husband, 5-year old son, and 2-year old daughter. She is actively involved in her son's school, Annunciation Orthodox School, and is an avid follower of the local sports teams. Julie also devotes considerable time to volunteering in the local community, including serving as a camp counselor through Camp Janus and the Children's Museum overnight project.