Deanna Willson

Deanna Markowitz Willson is an associate in the Firm’s Houston office where she practices complex commercial litigation and dispute resolution. Deanna has represented clients on matters involving contract disputes, tort liability, construction litigation, royalty disputes, fiduciary relations issues, environmental claims, administrative agency actions, and alleged statutory violations.

Deanna has experience advising and representing a variety of businesses and individuals throughout the litigation process, including managing complex discovery challenges, drafting and responding to pleadings and written discovery, preparing witnesses for depositions and trial testimony, defending and taking depositions, conducting mediations and settlement negotiations, working closely with expert witnesses, motion practice, and preparing for and advocating at trial and arbitration.

Representative Experience :

• Represents academic institutions in claim for underpayment pursuant to a patent licensing agreement
• Served as lead counsel for a landowner in a real estate lease dispute, obtaining summary judgment for the landowner
• Represented a construction company in AAA arbitration hearing relating to a joint venture and fiduciary duty dispute
• Trial counsel for a fabrication subcontractor in their claim for several million dollars of disputed change orders
• Obtained a multi-million dollar pre-trial settlement for an oil and gas company alleging breach of contract and negligence claims
• Represented a major midstream pipeline company throughout the condemnation process
• Assisted in securing verdict in bench trial for an industrial services company in a breach of warranty matter

Professional History :

• Intern, Chief Justice Hecht, The Supreme Court of Texas (2014)
• Legal Legislative Intern, Texas House of Representatives (2013)
• Nonprofit Paralegal Specialist, Harmon, Curran, Spielberg + Eisenburg, LLP, Washington, DC (2009-2011)

Professional Affiliations :

• Co-Chair, Houston Bar Association Habitat for Humanity Committee
• Member, Houston Bar Association

Education :

• J.D., with high honors, The University of Texas School of Law, 2014
• B.A., Government and History, summa cum laude, University of Virginia, 2009

Admissions : Texas, 2014

Admitted To Practice : U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas, 2015