Mayer Brown announced today that experienced trial lawyer Brandon F. Renken joined the firm’s Houston office as a partner in the Litigation & Dispute Resolution practice. He joins the firm from Locke Lord.
“Brandon is a supremely talented trial lawyer who adds immediate depth and firepower to our rapidly expanding litigation practice and presence in Houston,” said Richard Spehr, the leader of Mayer Brown’s global Litigation & Dispute Resolution practice. “His extensive start-to-finish first-chair trial litigation experience in a broad scope of industries and types of disputes provides tremendous value to our firm clients, both internationally and nationwide.”
Mr. Renken’s broad commercial litigation practice concentrates on all types of complex commercial disputes in both civil and criminal matters and, in particular, pre- and post-commercial transaction and business merger disputes, with a focus on pragmatic, business-first solutions, but the experience and ability necessary to leverage, pursue and prevail at trial. He has represented clients in the energy, health care, construction, technology, media and telecommunications industries, among others, in federal and state court lawsuits, as well as arbitrations. He has developed an impressive lead-chair jury trial record across multiple disciplines, including trade secret, personal injury, real estate and real property litigation, as well as securities litigation. He also handles securities investigations. He is a fellow of both the Texas Bar Foundation and the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators.
“Mayer Brown’s national and international footprint, with offices around the world appealed to my desire to further grow and elevate my practice,” said Mr. Renken. “Its strong presence and dedication to growth in Houston, integrated and team-first global platform and reputation for handling complex, high-stakes disputes were also particular draws for me. I look forward to working closely with my new colleagues, providing pragmatic counsel to clients to develop practical business solutions to complex disputes and, when necessary, defending clients in trials and arbitrations in pursuit of the best results attainable.”
An active community member, Mr. Renken is an adjunct professor at the University of Houston Law Center. He serves as an east region board member for the Special Olympics and on the Houston Bar Association’s Special Olympics committee, where he previously served as chair. He is also a member of the American Heart Association’s executive leadership team.
“We are excited to welcome Brandon, a business-first litigator with significant jury trial experience, whose litigation acumen provides unique talent and expands our presence and growing litigation practice in Houston,” said Neil Wasserstrom, the managing partner of Mayer Brown’s Houston office. “His deep roots in and conscientious contribution to the Houston community is a great fit for our office and firm.”
Mr. Renken was named one of Houston Business Journal’s “40 Under 40” in 2020, as a Super Lawyers “Rising Star” in business litigation every year from 2014-2020 and in Houstonia Magazine’s “Top Lawyers” in 2018 and 2022.
Mr. Renken’s arrival continues the steady growth of the firm in Houston and its litigation capabilities. In 2021, the firm welcomed securities litigation partner Jackie Vallette and corporate and energy transactional partners Marcus Bolinder and Sam Patranella.
