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Locke Lord Names New Head and Deputy Chair of Energy Litigation

June 20, 2014 Mark Curriden

© 2014 The Texas Lawbook.

By Brooks Igo
Staff Writer for The Texas Lawbook

(June 20) – Locke Lord Dallas partner Michael Powell and Houston partner Derrick Carson have been named the new chair and deputy chair of the firm’s energy litigation practice, the firm announced yesterday. Additionally, Houston partners Brent Benoit and David Harrell were named co-chairs of Houston’s litigation practice.

Powell takes over for James Leahy, who left the firm recently to lead Greenberg Traurig’s energy litigation practice. He is a University of Texas School of Law graduate and has nearly four decades of experience as a trial and appellate lawyer.

“We are thrilled that Mike has agreed to head the firm’s energy litigation group,” Locke Lord Chairwoman Jerry Clements said in a statement yesterday. “He is a top notch trial lawyer with the experience, respect and reputation that make him the ideal choice to lead our highly successful energy litigation team.”

Carson, who will serve as deputy chair, is a Southern Methodist University Dedman School of Law graduate. He represents clients in the energy, petrochemical and construction industries.

Benoit, who will lead the Houston office’s litigation practice with Harrell, focuses his practice on securities and commercial litigation and internal and governmental investigations. He serves on the firm’s board of directors and was elected to the board of directors of the State Bar of Texas in 2013. He is also a former president of the Houston Bar Association.

Harrell has trial and arbitration experience in energy disputes, commercial litigation and fiduciary disputes. He also chairs Locke Lord’s business litigation and dispute resolution and international arbitration practice groups.

© 2014 The Texas Lawbook. Content of The Texas Lawbook is controlled and protected by specific licensing agreements with our subscribers and under federal copyright laws. Any distribution of this content without the consent of The Texas Lawbook is prohibited.

If you see any inaccuracy in any article in The Texas Lawbook, please contact us. Our goal is content that is 100% true and accurate. Thank you.

Mark Curriden

Mark Curriden is a lawyer/journalist and founder of The Texas Lawbook. In addition, he is a contributing legal correspondent for The Dallas Morning News.

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©2025 The Texas Lawbook.

Content of The Texas Lawbook is controlled and protected by specific licensing agreements with our subscribers and under federal copyright laws. Any distribution of this content without the consent of The Texas Lawbook is prohibited.

If you see any inaccuracy in any article in The Texas Lawbook, please contact us. Our goal is content that is 100% true and accurate. Thank you.

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