Houston labor and employment pro Brian G. Patterson, attracted to the firm’s strengths in the energy and power sectors, has joined Bracewell.
Patterson was previously at Akin for close to a decade. He focuses his practice on restrictive covenant litigation, wage-and-hour cases, OSHA enforcement and internal investigations. He also handles whistleblower issues, executive employment contracts and employment discrimination matters.
“The firm’s strong energy reputation and large Texas presence will likely bring more complex matters my way, but the core of my practice won’t change drastically,” he said. “I’ve handled challenging cases throughout my career, and I’m looking forward to tackling new ones with Bracewell’s resources behind me.”
Bracewell managing partner Gregory Bopp said in a statement that Patterson is a “highly regarded labor and employment practitioner” who will “bring additional depth to our nationally recognized labor and employment team,” which has particular depth in wage-and-hour litigation and OSHA claims.
Patterson is the fourth lateral partner addition in Texas by Bracewell this year. With the other hires, the firm bolstered its tax and energy regulatory practices.
At Akin, Patterson would frequently appear in The Texas Lawbook’s Corporate Deal Tracker weekly Roundups providing labor and employment counsel to deal teams. Earlier this year, he was on the teams counseling Innovex on its $1.5 billion merger with Dril-Quip and Main Street Capital on a $43.2 million portfolio investment. Last year, he was a part of the group that guided Spire on its agreement to acquire MoGas Pipeline and Omega Pipeline from CorEnergy Infrastructure Trust for $175 million.
In a 2021, Patterson successfully defended cattle semen provider Inguran in a discrimination case in Houston federal court. He told The Lawbook in its earlier coverage that it was a noteworthy ruling that “highlights that focusing on the lack of evidence of ‘comparators’ is a separate and distinct path to prevailing on a summary judgment for employers, as opposed to focusing on the legitimate, non-discriminatory reasons for the plaintiff’s termination.”
A 2006 graduate of SMU Dedman School of Law, Patterson started his career as a clerk for Judge John Donovan of the 61st District Court of Texas. Prior to his tenure at Akin, he also practiced at McGuireWoods and Alaniz & Schraeder.