Press Release
Press Release
Press Contacts: Erik Cummins, Matt Hyams, Taina Rosa, Olivia Thomas
09.23.24
Continuing an ongoing expansion of Pillsbury’s global litigation, construction and energy capabilities, the firm announced the addition of construction and energy litigator, Derrick Carson, as partner. Carson, who brings deep experience in the region and throughout the world, joins the firm’s Houston office. He comes to Pillsbury from Locke Lord LLP, where for the last five years he served as chair of its energy litigation practice group having previously served as chair of its construction law practice group.
“The evolution of the energy sector and the many related incentives programs being offered by governments worldwide are driving exponential interest in new and repurposed energy projects,” said Firm Chair David Dekker. “As disputes arise, Derrick’s impressive skillset meaningfully advances our ability to support clients navigating construction and other energy-related litigation matters.”
For more than 25 years Carson has been representing clients in some of the biggest and most complex energy and construction disputes, with an emphasis on cases involving midstream infrastructure projects and renewable energy sources. In addition to his wide-ranging experience in U.S. matters, he handles significant international work in the Middle East, Caribbean and other global jurisdictions. Carson was recently recognized in the 2025 Edition of Best Lawyers in America in the Arbitration and Litigation-Construction categories.
“Pillsbury has long been regarded as home to one of the premier construction litigation practices and we’re thrilled to enhance our bench even further by welcoming another practitioner of such high standing,” said global head of Litigation Deborah Baum. “Derrick operates at the intersection of construction and energy litigation, which is very much a sweet spot for our firm. He’s also just a tremendous lawyer and an exciting addition to our market-leading team.”
Carson has tried countless cases as lead counsel, before juries, judges and arbitrators, as well as arguing federal and state appeals. His arbitration experience is also significant, including representing clients before a host of international and domestic arbitral bodies on issues as diverse as development of oil and gas fields, biofuels and windfarm projects, construction and other bet-the-company commercial disputes.
“With Houston as the heart of the global energy industry, including leading the energy transition, Derrick’s deep understanding of the sector deepens our local bench to advantage our clients facing related issues and disputes,” said local office managing partner Amanda Halter. “His arrival—and the deep relationships and well-deserved reputation he brings—marks another important milestone in Pillsbury’s ongoing Texas expansion.”
Pillsbury’s Texas offices have expanded significantly with the recent arrivals of Emerging Companies & Venture Capital partner Andy Smetana (Austin) and counsel Margarita Kelrikh (Houston); patent prosecution partner Chris Drymalla (Austin); cross-border Litigation partner Willie Wood (Houston); energy-focused Corporate senior counsel Ben Clark (Houston); Environmental & Natural Resources special counsel Jillian Marullo (Houston), and capital markets and M&A special counsel Danielle de Zorzi. Additionally, the firm promoted Adam Weaver (Houston) and Jessica Nyman (Austin) to partner in 2024.
Carson’s arrival is the latest of an impressive run of prominent litigators with a sizable focus on international disputes since the start of 2024. Notable recent additions include former Assistant U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of New York Chris Caffarone; renowned appellate partner Anne Voigts in Silicon Valley; high-profile and Washington, DC-based cross-border disputes partner Waleed Nassar, with a substantial Middle East practice; a multidisciplinary team of lawyers in China, led by partner Jia Yan, who oversees a broad corporate, investigations and disputes practice that spans Asia, the U.S. and the UK; high-stakes employment litigation partner JoAnna Brooks in San Francisco; corporate investigations, white collar and anti-bribery partner Audrey Koh in London; former Assistant U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Florida and former Assistant State Attorney for Miami-Dade County Stephen Demanovich in Miami; and former National Coordinator of the DOJ’s Computer Hacking and Intellectual Property Program Mark Krotoski.
“From the standpoint of my clients, Pillsbury checks every box: a renowned construction practice, significant international disputes capabilities, an established reputation as a firm at the forefront of the global energy transition, and so much more” said Carson. “Add to all that the firm’s strong Texas trajectory and long-standing culture of collaboration and teamwork, and it couldn’t be a better fit.”
Ranked by Chambers USA 2024 in the National, California and Washington, DC, categories, by Legal 500 as a national leader in Construction and shortlisted by Chambers USA as a Practice of the Year, Pillsbury’s Construction litigation lawyers can tackle any issues that arise during construction. From insurance coverage to liability to complex commercial issues and cross-border disputes, Pillsbury can help owners, developers, lenders and contractors manage risk, resolve challenges and get the job done.