Monica Uddin - Lawyer in Houston, TX

Monica Uddin is a commercial trial lawyer with a technology background who has represented energy companies and other businesses and individuals in a variety of complex matters. She has experience with contract disputes, partnership break-ups and trade secrets litigation. She also has been active with AZAs intellectual property and patent litigation team.

Ms. Uddin excels at telling her clients stories for juries and judges. She was named to the 2021 list of Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch for commercial litigation. This is a national peer review award developed by Best Lawyers in America to target associates for their outstanding professional excellence early in their careers. She was also selected on the Texas Rising Stars lists from 2013-2020 for her excellence in business litigation. These lists name the best Texas lawyers age 40 and younger or those who have practiced no more than 10 years.

A graduate of the University of Chicago Law School, she has tried cases in civil and bankruptcy courts, helped obtain favorable jury verdicts, won summary judgment in a multimillion-dollar case, and blocked TROs.

In addition to her focus on commercial litigation, Ms. Uddin has devoted significant time to helping the less fortunate. Shes worked on immigration cases in Houston, served at the Mississippi Center and clerked with the Chicago Legal Assistance Foundation.Before law school, she worked in IT support for a company that provides technological solutions for medical and rehabilitative problems. Her undergraduate degree is from Stanford University.

REPRESENTATIVE CASES

Successfully represented an exploration and production company win a substantial sum in arbitration on their breach of contract claims against a Fortune 500 refiner, and successfully defeated the refiners counterclaims of over $400 million.

After a lengthy temporary restraining order hearing, successfully negotiated a settlement on behalf of a major automotive parts supplier against a specialty transportation service school district.

Successfully obtained a temporary restraining order and negotiated favorable settlement in a business divorce between partners of an energy industry technology company.

Successfully obtained a temporary restraining order and temporary injunction in a business divorce between partners of a medical practice.

Successfully defended a major refiner at trial in a suit to evict the refiners pipeline control center, which controlled the refiners flow of crude, gas, diesel, and NGLs throughout the United States. Obtained a substantial attorneys fees judgment in addition to defeating eviction.

Successfully briefed, argued, and won a Markman hearing in patent litigation representing the inventors of notebook tab-style patents.Successfully briefed, argued, and won an appeal regarding collateral estoppel for issues decided in private arbitration in California state court.

Represented global specialty chemical company in a non-compete dispute against its former chief executive officers.

Represented inventors in semiconductor technology patent litigation. Took several defendant depositions through translator in Seoul before case settled favorably.

Won total summary judgment and then a Fifth Circuit appeal for a major refiner defendant on a variety of employment claims.

Defeated summary judgment and Daubert motions and ultimately obtained a favorable settlement for a Fortune 500 company against a competitor who paid a former employee to design identical manufacturing equipment.Second-chaired a federal trial in bankruptcy court for a Fortune 500 company against a competitor who bribed an employee to steal manufacturing drawings and then provided them to Chinese manufacturers. See news coverage here.

First-chaired the subsequent attorneys fees trial, winning hundreds of thousands of dollars in fees for the client.Defeated summary judgment and obtained favorable settlement for a Houston-based energy executive in a compensation dispute against a multinational oilfield services technology company.

Stepped in on the eve of trial to represent and favorably resolve theft and other claims asserted against Houston-based IT company.

Defended a variety of contract and tort claims asserted against one of the largest insurance brokers in the world.Defeated numerous employment claims brought by a former executive on behalf of a major refiner on summary judgment.

Represented a local law firm in a nine-party lease dispute resulting in a favorable settlement.S

Second-chaired a federal trial helping Fort Bend County win a take-nothing defense judgment in a First Amendment lawsuit filed by a former sheriffs deputy.

Obtained favorable settlement on behalf of FMLA plaintiff against a British energy and commodities trading company.

First-chaired a Harris County jury trial, defeating construction claim on behalf of a Houston radio celebrity.R

Represented a natural gas trader plaintiff in a $30 million suit for bonus and other compensation. Defeated an array of summary judgment motions before the case was settled.

Obtained multiple favorable settlements for Fortune 500 oilfield services company in Sarbanes-Oxley whistleblower lawsuits.

Successfully obtained a pre-suit deposition of a foreign national on behalf of an oil and gas production company.

Successfully arbitrated on behalf of an exploration and production company on breach of contract claims against a Fortune 500 refiner, and successfully defeated the refiners counterclaims of over $400 million.

Won a $2 million summary judgment summary judgment in a commercial breach-of-contract case in the 133rd District Court of Harris County, Texas. The Houston-based client sued by an Arizona company for failing to pay as promised under terms of a gold refining contract.Represented investors in a fraud suit against a $2.6 billion Texas-based hedge fund operated by affiliates of billionaire H. Ross Perot. Successfully argued that Texas law recognized holder claims where there was direct communication with investors?claims in which the investor holds their investment based on the misleading advice of a third-party.

Obtained favorable settlement for Houston-based infertility practice in a business disparagement suit against a competitor.Represented a Houston-based technology company in a multimillion-dollar business disparagement suit against a competitor.