Andrew M. Edison

Andrew Edison is a trial lawyer whose practice focuses on complex commercial litigation. He routinely appears in state courts, federal court and before arbitration panels across the country. Andy has handled a wide variety of matters, concentrating on energy litigation, antitrust, securities fraud, eminent domain and business torts. Andy is widely recognized as an innovative thinker and a passionate advocate for those he represents. Prior to becoming a founding partner at Edison, McDowell & Hetherington LLP in January 2009, Andy served as the hiring partner at Bracewell & Giuliani LLP.

Andy spends a considerable amount of time on pro bono matters. He currently represents an individual facing capital murder charges, and he has been recognized by The Houston Bar Foundation for the Outstanding Individual Contribution to The Houston Volunteer Lawyers Program. Andy lectures frequently at various continuing legal education seminars across Texas. He also has been an adjunct professor at the University of Houston Law Center.

 Outside the office, Andy is an avid sports fan and can often be found attending sporting events all over the globe. Although he is not blessed with much athletic ability, Andy has managed to run—and complete—four marathons, including, most recently, the Boston Marathon.

Texas

United States District Court for the Northern, Southern, Eastern and Western Districts of Texas

United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit

Admitted pro hac vice to handle cases in Arizona, California, Florida, Maryland, Montana, Nevada, New York, Oregon and Washington.

Antitrust Litigation
Represents the world’s largest funeral and cemetery company in antitrust litigation alleging that the country’s three largest funeral home chains and a leading casket maker conspired to keep casket prices high and shut out casket discounters in violation of federal antitrust laws. Funeral Consumers Alliance, Inc. v. Service Corp. Intern., 2010 WL 3817159 (S.D.Tex. 2010).

Represented a major independent power producer against state law antitrust claims arising out of alleged illegal tying agreement.

Represents a major health insurer against claims that four large insurance companies participated in an antitrust conspiracy with a major hospital system to boycott a physician-owned hospital.

Represented one of the country's leading refining companies in a nationwide consumer class action lawsuit filed in federal court in Los Angeles, alleging that major energy companies failed to deliver 100 percent of the fuel at the octane rating advertised.  The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals found that the plaintiffs' claims were precluded by the combination of California laws and regulations that render defendants' conduct with respect to single-nozzle dispensers, the only lawful means to deliver fuel.  Alvarez v. Chevron Corp., -- F.3d. ---, 2011 WL 3850660 (9th Cir. 2011).

Represented one of the nation’s leading engineering firms in a two-week jury trial focusing on the construction of an offshore drilling rig and involving numerous claims and counterclaims for fraud, breach of contract and negligence. The jury returned a verdict awarding the client more than $1.1 million.

Represented an energy company seeking to obtain payment for various energy services.  Minutes before jury selection in February 2010, the parties entered into an agreed final judgment that calls for the client to receive a total of $2.65 million over the next several years.

Represented a defense contractor in a multimillion-dollar breach of contract case.  After a week-long American Arbitration Association hearing in the spring of 2010, the arbitration panel issued a lengthy written opinion that completely vindicated the client and awarded it all its attorneys' fees and expenses associated with the arbitration.

Represented a publicly traded communications company in a breach of contract arbitration with a Florida helicopter provider. A sole arbitrator rendered an award that completely vindicated the client of wrongdoing.

Condemnation and Real Estate
Represents various governmental authorities, including the Metropolitan Transit Authority, Houston Independent School District, City of Pearland, City of Stafford and City of Sugar Land, in eminent domain actions. Among other litigation, Nassar v. Houston Independent School Dist., 2004 WL 1470616 (Tex. App.—Houston [1^st Dist.], no pet.); Lin v. Houston Community College, 948 S.W.2d 328 (Tex. App.—Amarillo 1998, writ denied).

Represented a city in an inverse condemnation action in which a property owner claimed that the city’s construction of an elevated road resulted in significant flooding on the owner’s property.  After a three-day bench trial, the court issued a take-nothing judgment in favor of the city.

Labor and Employment
Represented several publicly traded companies in non-disclosure and covenent-not-to-compete litigation.

Represented a publicly traded company against a federal lawsuit asserting claims of pregnancy discrimination.

Represented a national company in responding to claims of sexual harassment in an EEOC charge.

Represented a major energy company against claims by a former executive for additional compensation.

Personal Injury/Products Liability
Represented numerous companies in personal injury and wrongful death actions related to construction defects, premises liability and job-site related accidents.  See, e.g., Echartea v. Calpine Corp., 2011 WL 2684889 (Tex. App. -- 14th Dist [Houston] 2011, no pet.)

Securities Litigation
Represented the board of directors of a large pipeline company in derivative litigation arising out of the company’s natural gas activities in California.

Represented a Fortune 500 company against state and federal securities-law claims that the company and its officers and directors failed to timely disclose earnings shortfall.

Represented a technology company in a federal-court lawsuit alleging misstatements and omissions in proxy materials.

Appointed lead counsel on numerous occasions to represent shareholders in lawsuits challenging various merger transactions.  For example,  See video.

"Tales from the Courtroom: What do Juries really think of Eminent Domain Cases."  Presented to the International Right of Way Association, Gulf States Chapter - November 2011.

"Attorney Fees." Presented to the Houston Bar Association's All-Day Ethics Seminar - November 2011.

"Recent Developments in Securities Litigation." Presented to the Houston Bar Association's Securities Litigation and Arbitration Section - October 2011.

"Transitions: The Advent of Small and Medium-Sized Firms," Houston Bar Association's Changing Practice for Changing Times Series, Spring 2010.

“Contractual Provisions that Protect,” prepared for 2009 Advising Small and Mid-Sized Businesses Course (University of Houston).

“Litigation Between Buyers and Sellers of Goods,” prepared for 2008 Advanced Civil Litigation Course (University of Houston).

“Exploring the Impact of Sarbanes-Oxley,” Oil & Gas Financial Journal, October 2006.

“Freeway Expansions Spawn Raft of Eminent Domain Legal Cases,” Houston Business Journal, Week of July 21–27, 2006.

“Liability for a Wrongfully Obtained Injunction: The Cause of Action Few Lawyers Understand,” The Advocate, Fall 2005 (with the Honorable Jeff Brown).

“Supreme Court Tackles Pleading Standard in ‘Broudo’: What Will Be the Long-Term Effect of the Court’s Decision?” Corporate Counsel Weekly, June 29, 2005.

“Attorney-Client Privilege: Is It No Longer Safe to Talk to a Lawyer?” Houston Business Journal, Week of May 6–12, 2005.

“Judicial Oversight of Class Action Securities Fraud Settlements,” Legal Backgrounder for Washington Legal Foundation, March 11, 2005.  See article.

“Directors Beware: What the WorldCom Settlement Really Means,” Houston Business Journal, February 7, 2005.

“Holding Claims: An Emerging Cause of Action for Securities Fraud,” Securities Litigation and Regulation, October 6, 2004.

“Evidentiary Issues Affected by Tort Reform,” prepared for 2004 How to Offer and Exclude Evidence Course (University of Houston).

Spanish (conversational)

University of Virginia School of Law
J.D., 1994

Dartmouth College
B.A., cum laude, 1991