Locke Lord

Brandon Renken has considerable trial and courtroom experience. Brandon focuses on maintaining a broad-based commercial litigation practice concentrating on all types of complex commercial disputes, both as plaintiff and defendant. He is a business-oriented problem solver with the skills and strategic mindset of a trial lawyer.

Representative Experience

His experience includes:

General Commercial Litigation and Arbitration

• Obtained $15 million payment in settlement of dispute arising from natural gas gathering and processing contract dispute. Defendants increased offer from $1 million to $15 million following first week of plaintiff’s presentation and case in chief during what was scheduled as a two-week jury trial
• Defended sellers of a multinational wastewater treatment company against breach of representation and warranty and fraud claims in a two-week jury trial in New York Supreme Court, commercial division. Jury verdict was limited to amounts that were admittedly owed and was subject to offset for defendant sellers
• Defended midstream oil and gas joint venture against $100 million breach of contract claim in AAA arbitration. Movant’s recovery was limited to the amount admittedly owed, which was less than $1 million in total
• Obtained pre-trial settlement of shareholder claims for breach of fiduciary duty, fraud and breach of contract, among others, against health care service provider
• Obtained summary judgment in Clark County District Court against Plaintiff seeking a 10% ownership stake in a multimillion-dollar automobile dealer group
• Obtained take nothing judgment for major cellular service provider related to claims of breach of contract, fraud and other alleged abuses
• Represented plaintiff/counter-defendant subcontractor as solo lead counsel in bench trial against property owner related to claims of breach of contract, DTPA and breach of express and implied warranties
• Defended major automotive distributor against claims brought by a public auto group related to alleged employee raiding and breaches of common law and statutory duties. Plaintiffs, who were seeking damages in excess of $9 million, non-suited during the first week of trial
• Assisted in obtaining a multimillion-dollar settlement as plaintiff in lawsuit related to agricultural contamination and genetically modified crops. Drafted argument related to a hotly contested damage issue that resulted in settlement
• Obtained multimillion-dollar verdict in maritime arbitration related to the purchase of an offshore diving and dive support vessel
• Represented downhole technology company in AAA arbitration against claims of fraud related to a multimillion-dollar stock purchase transaction

• Obtained and negotiated pre-trial defense settlement of $20 million premises liability and negligence claim related to a fall that resulted in the Plaintiff breaking his spine and spending time in a coma
• Obtained and negotiated defense settlement of $70 million wrongful death claim related to explosion of medical grade oxygen canister during voir dire
• Obtained take nothing settlement in defense of multimillion-dollar mental anguish and lost opportunity claims against automotive distributor arising from alleged theft of sensitive personal photos and information during automobile finance transaction

• Obtained settlement of trade secret litigation, as plaintiff, for industrial health and safety services and training company
• Defended trade secret misappropriation and unfair competition case based on licensed trade secret rights and proprietary processes related to the creation and sale of sulfur dioxide
• Defended online retailer in federal Lanham Act action regarding fair use of trade dress and trademark rights
• Represented large scale chemical manufacturer in defense of trade secret formulas and related organic products used in generation and storage of electricity
• Represented online photography retailer in enforcing trade secret, copyright and trade dress rights related to its software, technology and online services and sales presence

• Obtained summary judgment dismissal of breach of contract case related to alleged violation of a right of first refusal affecting a lease and permanent easement for a cell tower facility. This was an issue of first impression in Texas
• Obtained summary judgment against a seller who was trying to retain escrow funds in a failed commercial real estate transaction
• Obtained sanctions equal to more than one-fifth of plaintiff’s damages against vexatious defendants in a residential real estate dispute

• Assisted in defense of SEC investigation related to corporate compliance and disclosure issues regarding executive compensation and corporate expenditures
• Represented multimillion-dollar investment partnership as Plaintiff in federal jury trial related to alleged securities fraud

Professional History

• Member, Locke Lord Board of Directors

Professional Affiliations and Recognitions

• Fellow, Chartered Institute of Arbitrators
• Fellow, Texas Bar Foundation
• Adjunct Professor, University of Houston Law Center
• Named, Top Lawyer, Houstonia (2018) ‎
• Named, Super Lawyers® Texas Rising Star, Business Litigation (2014-2020)‎

Community Leadership

• American Heart Association, Executive Leadership Team
• Houston Bar Association Special Olympics Committee 2010-Current (Chair 2017-18)
• Special Olympics, East Region Board Member