LyondellBasell has recruited former Winstead shareholder Andrew Edelman to join the chemical company’s legal department as a senior counsel.
Edelman practiced for a decade at Winstead. The 2009 University of Texas School of Law graduate started his career at Beirne, Maynard & Parsons and is a former intern of Judge Lee Yeakel of the Western District of Texas.
At LyondellBasell, Edelman will work with a team of four lawyers who handle disputes in America. The Dutch company has 60 lawyers globally, about half of which are based in its U.S. headquarters in Houston.
The Texas Lawbook visited with Edelman about his move.
The Lawbook: Why did you decide to go in-house at LyondellBasell?
Edelman: I had been considering going in-house, and this opportunity was too good to pass up. LyondellBasell is an excellent company with a great legal department that does sophisticated work. And, I knew some of the attorneys there and that they would be great to work with. That said, I was sad to part ways with my colleagues at Winstead, where I had worked for ten years.
The Lawbook: Please describe what your work will focus on.
Edelman: I will handle disputes in the Americas, but I will not handle labor and employment matters.
The Lawbook: What are one or two of the most interesting matters you have handled at Winstead?
Edelman: When I left, I was working on an interesting mandamus appeal to the Texas Supreme Court regarding an important eminent domain jurisdictional issue. Years ago I tried a very interesting commercial case involving tortious interference and trademark claims before Judge David Hittner.
The Lawbook: What are the emerging trends or key developments in your disputes practice that you are following?
Edelman: I am following the continuing impact of Covid on trial practice. Courts were having civil jury trials again, but I am watching to see if Delta causes that to stop.