David L. Pybus

Attorney

Houston, TX

David Pybus has successfully represented clients in all types of lawsuits for more than 30 years. He has tried a large number of cases to verdict or decision, both before judges and juries and in arbitration. He has extensive experience in complex commercial litigation, and regularly represents companies in contractual disputes. His practice often involves large cases for insurance companies, especially coverage and bad faith litigation, subrogation, and the defense of insureds. Many of his cases are in the marine and energy area, including well blow-outs in the oilfield or chemical plant fires or explosions. He has also handled a large number of matters involving structured settlement and interpleader litigation on behalf of annuity companies.

Practice Areas
- Admiralty, Maritime and Energy ~ Wrongful Death, Personal Injury and Property Damage
  - Jones Act
  - Longshore and Harbor Workers' Compensation Act (LHWCA)
  - Vessel Collisions / Allisions
  - Cargo / Hull
  - Offshore Construction
- Appellate Advocacy
- Construction Contracts
- Contractual Indemnity and Insurance
- Business and Commercial Transactions and Litigation
- Property and Bad Faith Insurance Coverage and Litigation
  - Fire Claims and Litigation
  - Flood Claims and Litigation
  - Hail Claims and Litigation
  - Hurricane Claims and Litigation
- Casualty Litigation and Coverage
- Insurance Coverage, Litigation and Recovery
- Premises Liability
- Products Liability
- Real Estate (Residential and Commercial)
Education
- University of Texas at Austin, J.D. with honors (1986)
- University of Texas at Austin, B.B.A. with high honors (1982); Order of the Coif
Bar Admissions
- Texas
Court Admissions
- Supreme Court of Texas
- All Texas State Courts
- United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit
- United States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas
- United States District Court for the Northern District of Texas
- United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas
- United States District Court for the Western District of Texas
Experience
- Obtained a $5.4 million jury verdict for a drilling contractor after a blowout during the drilling of a saltwater disposal well.
- Obtained summary judgments dismissing all claims against three annuity companies, in a $10 million case brought by structured settlement annuity factoring companies, and obtained a judgment for over $400,000 in attorneys' fees after a jury trial.
- Obtained an award for $3.7 million in a multi-party arbitration resulting from a dispute over estimated costs for plugging and abandonment of an offshore well.
- Obtained $1.5 million in a multi-defendant subrogation case involving an oil well blowout, representing approximately 90% of the deductible and amounts paid by the insurers.
- Obtained a full summary judgment on the duty to defend and all bad faith claims for a major insurance company against a claim by a multi-national publicly traded additional insured.
- Successfully represented two annuity companies in separate cases awarding attorneys' fees under the Texas Structured Settlement Protection Act, in the first two reported Texas cases permitting such awards.
- Represented a property insurance company through jury verdict in federal court, in a $32.5 million coverage and bad faith case resulting from property damage to a hospital during a hurricane.
- Obtained favorable settlements in two subrogation cases in connection with a fire at a gas processing plant which caused $15 million in damages.
- Successfully represented an individual investor in a case involving a claim for a substantial real estate commission, obtaining a transfer of venue and a unanimous decision from the Texas Supreme Court.
Publications and Presentations
- Interference with Contract and Prospective Contract, Corporate Counsel Review, South Texas College of Law, November 1996
- Fraud on the Court, Unclean Hands, and Spoliation: Getting the Case Dismissed for Dishonest Conduct, Houston Bar Association presentation, 2005
Professional and Community Affiliations
- State Bar of Texas
- Houston Bar Association
- Defense Research Institute
- Bering Drive Church of Christ Pastoral Team
Recognitions
- AV© Martindale-Hubbell AV Preeminent Rating
- Named "2012, 2013, and 2014 Top Lawyer" by H Texas Magazine