Awards & Rankings 08.15.24
Yona is a multi-lingual attorney who represents plaintiffs and defendants in complex litigation matters and pre-litigation across the construction, energy and natural resources spectrum.
Yona focuses on disputes related to the design, engineering, construction and development of all types of energy facilities, including wind, solar, natural gas, renewable fuels, and conventional oil and gas. In addition to litigation, arbitration and mediation, Yona counsels clients in construction and energy contract drafting, review, negotiation and dispute avoidance services, including EPC (power/energy, energy storage and utility projects), design-build, CM, GMP, and cost-plus contracts and subcontracts. She also has experience handling construction defect cases, resolving partnership disputes, and providing guidance to owners, developers and contractors on large-scale infrastructure projects.
Representative Experience
- Trial counsel for an engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) general contractor in a month-long jury trial against the owner, resulting in a favorable jury verdict of over $20 million.
- Trial counsel for an engineering firm against a former employee involving claims of fraud and trade secret misappropriation.
- Represented a national real estate investment trust in lease disputes in connection with COVID-19.
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- Represented a solar developer in the negotiation of an EPC contract for a solar project.
- Successfully mediated and settled a case representing a royalty owner in a royalty dispute with the operator and third party.
- Represented a national hotel franchisor and secured favorable rulings in ongoing landlord-tenant disputes regarding long-term tenancy and COVID-19.
Professional Highlights
- Recognized by Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch (published by BL Rankings LLC) for Commercial Litigation and Oil and Gas Law (2024 – 2025)
- Member, Phi Alpha Delta
- Recipient, Seattle University School of Law Dean’s Diversity Scholarship
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- Member, Houston Bar Association
- Member, Texas State Bar Association
- Member, Young Energy Professionals Committee of the Institute for Energy Law
- Publications
- Basics of Oil and Gas Interest Conveyancing, Co-Author, University of Texas School of Law, CLE (2021).
- Basics of Oil and Gas Interest Conveyancing, Co-Author, University of Texas School of Law, CLE (2021).
- Speaking Engagements
- “Global X Local: How our identities and experiences are powerful assets in shaping sustainable solutions,” POST Houston, September 12, 2024, Panelist.
Education
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J.D., Seattle University School of Law
B.A., Law, Economics, and Public Policy, University of Washington
Admissions
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Texas
Washington State
Courts
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U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas
U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas
U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas
U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas
Languages
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Spanish
Hebrew
Russian
Arabic