© 2016 The Texas Lawbook.
By Natalie Posgate
(Sept. 15) – Thompson & Knight said Thursday that it has snagged BNSF Railway Corp. General Counsel Charles Shewmake as a new partner in the firm’s trial practice.
Shewmake has spent the last eight years as Fort Worth-based BNSF’s general counsel, but has been with the company since 1988, when he started his career there as an intern.
Shewmake said he was drawn to Thompson & Knight because he knows many of the lawyers and the firm’s strong repuatation through working with them over the years. BNSF has been a longtime client of Thompson & Knight’s.
“BNSF Railway is one of the greatest companies in America, and I love the people and the work I did at BNSF,” he said. “But, because I have only done in-house railroad law, I felt, both personally and professionally, it was time to do something else. I have worked with T&K on certain matters for almost 20 years and I had never regretted an engagement with them.”
At T&K, Shewmake will focus his practice on labor employment, regulatory matters, commercial litigation and environmental litigation. He officially started at the firm in Tuesday.
“Charles brings a wealth of legal and transportation industry experience from his nearly 30 years at BNSF,” said Greg W. Curry, Thompson & Knight’s trial practice leader. “I have had the pleasure of knowing Charles as a friend and client for many years. Now, I look forward to working with him in his new role.”
During his tenure at BNSF, Shewmake has held various positions. They include: handling and supervising numerous labor and employment matters, overseeing and coordinating BNSF’s State Government Affairs team with responsibility for state legislative and political activities in 28 states, environmental litigation and labor law.
In 2008, Shewmake was named vice president and general counsel with responsibility for casualty litigation, safety related legal matters, labor and employment law, and certain environmental legal matters.
When asked of the accomplishment he is most proud of as GC of BNSF, Shewmake was quick to point out that “railroading is a team sport and the concept of personal accomplishments doesn’t really fit with the team concept that exists there.
“But, also my opinion, BNSF has experienced a very significant company wide improvement in safety and its safety culture,” the 1990 Texas Tech University School of Law graduate added. “Whatever small part I could play in the improvement in safety is something that everybody who worked on those issues should be proud of.”
Shewmake also holds an advanced management program degree from Harvard Business School. He received his B.A. in business administration from the University of Texas at Arlington in 1987.
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