Courtney Giles

Associate

Baker & McKenzie LLP

Houston

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F + 1 713 427 5099

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Biography

Courtney Giles is an associate in Baker McKenzie's Houston office. Courtney is a member of the Houston office’s Pro Bono Committee and actively involved in Baker McKenzie’s pro bono efforts, including the Children’s Rights Summit. Courtney is also a member of the Order of the Barons and Order of the Barristers.

Practice Focus

Courtney routinely represents clients across many industries in state and federal court proceedings as well as domestic and international arbitration. Her practice focuses on contractual disputes and business torts in the energy and manufacturing industries.

Representative Legal Matters

Successfully defended USD 45 million in contract claims in ICC arbitration seated in Houston, relating to overseas module transportation in connection with an EPC project in the Middle East, and securing net costs award in client’s favor.
Prevailed in complete dismissal of USD 50 million in claims against several entities that supply industrial equipment related to alleged breach of contract, tortious interference and unfair competition claims.
Secured favorable settlement and recovered substantial arbitration costs on behalf of EPC contractor in ICC arbitration seated in Kuwait City, involving defense against a supplier claim arising out of a refinery project in the Middle East.
Secured favorable settlement in defense of claims relating to the calculation of the final account and claims for delay and further payment arising out of the construction of an industrial project in France.
Secured USD 45 million award on behalf of global supplier of industrial equipment in ICC arbitration seated in Dubai, stemming from breach of joint venture agreement relating to a joint venture in the Middle East.
Represented a publicly traded company in an ICC French law arbitration involving post-closing adjustment and indemnity disputes arising out of an acquisition worth over 300 USD million.
Represented a major international oil company as claimant in a CPR arbitration to enforce an indemnity obligation owed in the wake of a fatal explosion in a refinery that had been sold to the opposing party.
Represented an international research and consulting company for the oil and gas industry in a breach of contract and false advertising dispute in federal court, resulting in a favorable jury verdict for the client.
Represented administrative agent and first lien lender in the Linn Energy and Berry Petroleum chapter 11 bankruptcy cases.
Represented administrative agent and first lien lender in the Azure Midstream Partners, LP chapter 11 bankruptcy case.

Professional Associations and Memberships

Institute for Energy Law – Advisory Board Member
Houston Bar Association – Member
Houston Young Lawyers Association – Member
Women’s Energy Network – Member

Corporate Responsibility

Courtney is an active member of the Pro Bono Committee and projects relating to children’s rights, including the Homeless Youth Handbook and Children’s Rights Summit. Courtney’s proudest pro bono moment is when she and a small team won asylum for a mother and child fleeing from persecution

Admissions

U.S. Court of Appeals, Fifth Circuit~United States (2018)
U.S. District Court, Western District of Texas~United States (2020)
U.S. District Court, Southern District of Texas~United States (2016)
Texas~United States (2015)

Education

University of Houston Law Center (JD, cum laude) (2015)
University of Missouri (Bachelor of Journalism, magna cum laude) (2010)

Presentations

Speaker, “Tales from the Trenches: Perils, Pitfalls, and Lessons Learned,” Association of Corporate Counsel, Houston Chapter—Litigation Practice Group, November 2021
Speaker, "Looking Ahead: Remote Court Proceedings & What All Lawyers Must Consider About Cybersecurity and Ethical Issues," Association of Corporate Counsel, Houston Chapter—Litigation Practice Group, June 2021
Speaker, "Living in a Virtual World: New Developments and Best Practices for Dispute Resolution in the COVID Era," Association of Corporate Counsel, Houston Chapter—Litigation Practice Group, November 2020

Publications

Contributor, International Litigation & Arbitration Newsletter, 2016-2021
Mentioned, “Biggest Texas Cases of 2019,” Law 360, December 2019
Author, "Balancing the Breach: Data Privacy Laws in the Wake of the NSA Revelations," Houston Journal of International Law, 2015
Arbitration Research Scholar, "AAA Yearbook on Arbitration & the Law," American Arbitration Association, 2015

Baker & McKenzie LLP is a Limited Liability Partnership organized under the laws of the State of Illinois (USA) and is a member of Baker & McKenzie International, a Verein organized under the laws of Switzerland.