Deanna Markowitz Willson

Deanna Markowitz Willson represents clients in complex commercial litigation and dispute resolution matters involving contract and license disputes, tort claims, construction litigation, insurance coverage, royalty disputes, fiduciary relations issues, environmental claims, administrative agency actions and alleged statutory violations.

Deanna has experience advising and representing a variety of businesses and individuals throughout the litigation process, including managing complex discovery challenges, drafting and responding to pleadings and written discovery, preparing witnesses for depositions and trial testimony, defending and taking depositions, conducting mediations and settlement negotiations, working closely with expert witnesses, motion practice, and preparing for and advocating at hearings, trial and arbitration. Deanna is particularly well regarded for her creative strategies and ability to manage large, multiparty cases, substantial discovery challenges and preparing witnesses for testimony.

Her experience includes:

• Represents E&P oil company in suit alleging discrimination in payment of royalties
• Represents insurance company in complex coverage litigation
• Represents financial institution against breach of fiduciary duty and negligence claims
• Represents contractor in dispute with multiple subcontractors regarding delay and performance claims
• Represents midstream company in dispute regarding termination of gathering agreement
• Represented midstream company in action for cessation of service before administrative agency
• Represented academic institutions in claim for underpayment pursuant to a patent licensing agreement
• Represented EPC contractor in dispute regarding payment of remediation costs
• Served as lead counsel for a landowner in a real estate lease dispute, obtaining summary judgment for the landowner
• Represented a construction company in AAA arbitration hearing relating to a joint venture and fiduciary duty dispute
• Defended the owner of an NGL storage facility in suit by State Attorney General's office environmental regulatory agency involving alleged unauthorized and unpermitted air emissions from the facility associated with a plant explosion
• Obtained summary judgment for owner of affordable housing properties against claim that owner breached informal fiduciary duty to lender
• Trial counsel for a fabrication subcontractor in their claim for several million dollars of disputed change orders 
• Obtained a multimillion-dollar pre-trial settlement for an oil and gas company alleging breach of contract and negligence claims
• Represented a major midstream pipeline company throughout the condemnation process
• Assisted in securing verdict in bench trial for an industrial services company in a breach of representation and warranty matter with serious environmental implications, including claims involving alleged non-compliant solid waste management and disposal as well as permit compliance and compliance with applicable state solid waste rules