William K. Grubb

William is a highly versatile litigator with a proven track record of handling a broad spectrum of legal matters for clients ranging from publicly traded corporations and and privately held startups to individuals. His experience spans numerous industries—including energy, oil and gas, textiles, and healthcare—demonstrating his ability to navigate complex commercial disputes and industry-specific challenges.

William has been recognized by his peers and several publications.  He has been recognized by Super Lawyers as a Rising Star in energy and natural resources, by Benchmark Litigation on its top 40 under 40 list, and by LawDragon 500 X as a lawyer whose leadership is sought after by both businesses and individuals at critical crossroads in their legal journeys.

William’s litigation practice is comprehensive: he has represented some of the world’s largest public and private energy companies in high-stakes, complex litigation, and he regularly advocates for clients in business-related disputes involving trademarks, non-competition agreements, financial transactions, and fiduciary duties.  He has also advised creditors in complex bankruptcy matters.  His approach combines thorough analysis with practical advice, ensuring that clients receive clear, actionable guidance tailored to their goals.

He is adept in both state and federal courts, having served as lead counsel in temporary injunction hearings and managed all phases of litigation, including drafting and arguing dispositive motions. William’s appellate experience is equally robust, shaped by his clerkship with the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit. He has represented clients in interlocutory appeals before Texas courts, at the Texas Supreme Court, and before the Fifth Circuit, providing a strategic advantage for matters likely to face appellate scrutiny.  William has also appeard in two of the five newly formed divisions of the Texas Business Courts.

William’s early career included judicial internships with two United States District Judges in the Southern District of Texas, giving him valuable insight into judicial decision-making and the procedural tools that can benefit his clients.

Prior to joining McGinnis Lochridge, William practiced as an associate at an Am Law 100 firm in Houston. A native of Houston and an alumnus of St. Thomas High School, William is committed to delivering effective, results-driven representation for clients facing any legal challenge.

• Representend major oil and gas company over pipeline construction dispute.  A positive outcome at a temporary injunction hearing allowed the project to be completed in a timely manner.  After obtaining reversal of a narrowed temporary injunctions, prosecuted counterclaims worth hundreds of millions of dollars.  The case resulted in a favorable confidential settlement.
• Representend major oil and gas company in a pipeline balancing dispute with tens of million in dispute.  Prosecuted claims of discrimination under Gas Utilities Regulatory Act and other related statutes.  After defeating mandamus relief sought by the Defendants, the case resulted in a favorable confidential settlement.
• Represented a shareholder in a closely held corporation in prosecuting claims for breach of fiduciary duty and fraud.  First chaired the jury trial that resulted in obtaining a $5.9 million judgment on behalf of the client and a co-plaintiff. 
• Represented a geotextile company in prosecuting claims relating to corporate espionage and trade secret missapropriation.  William first chaired as the client obtained multiple temporary restraining orders and a temporary injunction.  Ultimately, the case settled on favorable terms.
• Served as the first chair in successfully prosecuting a temporary restraining order in a corporate control dispute. The client was successful in obtaining injunctive relief resulting in control of the company.  The case was resolved with a favorable settlement for the client.
• Defended clients at a preliminary injunction hearing regarding trademark infringement claims in federal court. The court denied injunctive relief, allowing the client to continue to freely operate their business.
• Represented a healthcare company in the multi-forum defense of claims relating to trade secrets, non-competition agreements, and threatened injunctive relief. The defense of the client included obtaining a favorable ruling on a motion to dismiss brought by a CEO trying to avoid allegations of fraud.  After obtaining a remand of some of the claims and a favorable discovery ruling, the matter settled.
• Helped an oil and gas operator develop a litigations strategy, including seeking a temporary restraining order, regarding operatorship of a large number of wells. After obtaining an advantageous ruling from the court, the case was resolved with a favorable settlement for the client.
• Successfully defended clients on merits briefing before the Texas Supreme Following merits briefing, the Texas Supreme Court denied review.
• Served as the first chair in defending an application for a temporary injunction in an oil and gas lease termination suit. The case was resolved with a favorable settlement for the client.
• Represented publicly traded energy companies with complex matters relating to offshore oil and gas operations governed by the Outer Continental Lands Shelf Act (“OCSLA”).
• Successfully represented a secured creditor in recovering hundreds of thousands of dollars from a Chapter 13 bankruptcy debtor.
• Represented clients in interlocutory appeals before several Texas intermediate appellate courts.

News

Publications

• Super Lawyers, Rising Star, 2025
• Benchmark Litigation, Future Star, 2024
• Benchmark Litigation, 40 Under 40 Litigator, 2024
• Super Lawyers, Rising Star, 2024
• Super Lawyers, Rising Star, 2023
• Law Dragon 500 X, Next Generation, 2023

• Bar Association of The Fifth Federal Circuit
• Houston Bar Association: Litigation Section; Oil, Gas & Mineral Law Section