Martin D. Beirne, Of Counsel in the Houston office, is a powerhouse litigator with a career spanning five decades. He has extensive trial experience in energy, intellectual property, antitrust, market representation/distribution litigation, arbitration, and administrative proceedings. Martin also provides advice and representation to corporations, corporate officials, and other individuals in investigations initiated by various government authorities as well as internal investigations on behalf of corporations. With a lifetime of contacts in the oil and gas and hospitality industries, he is a go-to litigator in the international and domestic market.
Martin’s wide-ranging experience involves advocating for clients with headquarters in both the Middle East and Europe in global arbitration cases that cover contractual disputes, transactions, and other subjects. Additionally, he serves as legal counsel for businesses, executives, and private individuals facing inquiries instigated by diverse governmental bodies. Martin has provided guidance on internal investigations for prominent enterprises addressing concerns like whistleblowing, accusations of racial prejudice, and claims related to delicate financial transactions, among various other matters.
Martin’s accolades are lengthy and include The Best Lawyers in America, 2013, 2016-2024 where he is listed in Texas for Commercial Litigation, Energy Law, and Oil and Gas Law. His peers also recognized his successes, nominating him a Texas Energy & Natural Resources Super Lawyer from 2003 – 2020. Named “Lion of the Texas Bar” by Texas Lawbook in November 2015. In 2008 Chambers USA named him “Leader in Texas”. His alma mater, St. Mary’s Law School named him Distinguished Law Graduate in 2004. Martin was named one of three “Top Drawer Litigators” in the U.S., Corporate Legal Times, 2003.
Representative Matters
Representative Matters
- Counterfeit Automotive Parts:
Represented a prominent automotive corporation in global litigation against manufacturers of counterfeit parts. Litigation efforts spanned numerous jurisdictions within the United States, as well as in Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates. Litigation resulted in the successful confiscation of a substantial quantity of counterfeit materials, the issuance of permanent injunctions, the imposition of penalties, and the securing of significant payments for our client.
- Breach of Fiduciary Duty:
Represented a prominent utility company and its chairman, obtaining a complete defense verdict after a three week jury trial involving allegations of breach of fiduciary duty, conspiracy, and disruption of business and contractual relationships.
- Bilateral Investment Treaty Dispute:
Represented Estonia and its central bank in an arbitration case at the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes. The case was initiated by international investors contesting Estonia’s decision to close several banks. The arbitration panel ruled in favor of Estonia, validating its actions.
Court Admissions
- U.S. District Court, Northern District of Texas
- U.S. District Court, Southern District of Texas
- U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Texas
- U.S. District Court, Western District of Texas
- U.S. District Court, Eastern District of California
- U.S. District Court, District of Columbia
- U.S. Court of Appeals, Fifth Circuit
- U.S. Supreme Court
Education
- St. Mary’s University School of Law, J.D., with honors, 1969
- St. Mary’s Law Journal: Editor-In-Chief (1968-1969)
- Spring Hill College, B.S., 1966
Presentations
- Protecting Against Cyber Hacking and Computer Fraud. Legaltech West Coast 2016, Panelist
June 13, 2016
Publications
- “How GCs and Boards Can Brace for the Cybersecurity Storm.” Law360, Co-author
March 2015
- “Cybersecurity in the Energy Age.” Texas Lawyer, Co-author
February 2015
- “AAA, JAMS and CPR Comparison Chart.” Practical Law, Co-author
February 2014 - “The Art of (Litigation PR) War.” Corporate Counsel, Co-author
2013 - Preface, Innovation and the Pharmaceutical Industry: Critical Reflections on the Virtues of Profit,
H. Tristram Englehardt, Jr. and Jeremy R. Garrett, M & M Scrivener Press
2008 - “Climate Change and the Law.” Energy Magazine, Co-author
Fall 2007 - ” ‘And They’re Off! ‘: How Federal Courts are Implementing the December 2006 Amendments to the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure: Allocating Burdens and Costs and Access to Opponents’ Systems and Equipment in Electronic Information Discovery.” Edited version published as “How the courts are applying new rules,” National Law Journal, Co-author
March 19, 2007 - “New Rule Could Shake Up E-Discovery.” Executive Counsel, Co-author
January-February 2007 - “The Illusory Safe Harbor of Rule 37(F),” American Lawyerand Corporate Counsel, Co-author
December 2006
- “Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 26(b)(2)(B) and The 2006 Amendments: How the Federal Courts Will Implement Two-Tier Discovery of Electronic Information.” Andrews Litigation Reporter,Co-author
November 2006 - “Technology on Trial: Put on Your Parachute.” Law Technology News, Co-author
November 2006 - “The Fear of Alternative Fees.” GC News(Texas General Counsel Forum), Co-author
May 2006 - “Electronic Information – A Trap for the Unwary in Business Litigation.” Houston Business Journal – Business Survival Guide, Co-author
April 2006 - “The Art of War and Public Relations: Strategies for Successful Litigation PR.” Houston Business Journal, Business Survival Guide, Co-author
April 2006 - “Controlling the Cost of E-Discovery Through Preparation and an Organized Response.” American Lawyer, Co-author
December 2005 - “Exploration in Disputed Territories.” Corporate Counsel, Co-author
October 2004 - “The High Price of Drug Politics.” The European Lawyer, Co-author
October 2004 - “Judicial Control Over Questionable Jury Verdicts.” The Federal Lawyer, Co-author
June 2004 - Journal of Legal Economics, Co-author of Articles
- For the Defense, Co-author of Articles
- West Legal Publications, Co-author of Articles
- West, Texas Business Litigation Forms\FAST, Co-Author 1993
- West, Texas Business Litigation Express Forms 1993
Memberships & Affiliations
- Mary’s Board of Trustees, Chairman
- State Bar of Texas
- Houston Bar Association
- American Bar Association
- American Law Institute
- Defense Research Institute
- Institute for Transnational Arbitration
- Texas Association of Defense Counsel
- Environmental Law Institute Associates Program
- American Bar Foundation – Fellow
- Litigation Counsel of America – Fellow
- Texas Bar Foundation – Board Trustee, Director, Fellow
- Houston Bar Association – Director (2005-2008)
- Board Member, St. Mary’s University Board of Trustees
- Director, St. Mary’s Law Alumni Association
- Director, University of Houston Law Review
- Advisory Director, University of Houston Law Foundation
- Board of Advisors, International Lawyers Network
- Commissioner, Texas Access to Justice Commission
- Greater Houston Partnership, Business Issues and Environment Committees
- Uptown Houston Association