Professionals

Stephen Lee is a partner in the litigation practice group of Porter Hedges. He has over 15 years of experience representing chemical and energy related companies in contract, construction, employment and insurance coverage disputes. Mr. Lee also has experience representing companies in the financial services and investment advisory sector, in addition to his work related to investigating employee malfeasance, including claims of embezzlement and theft of trade secrets. His trial experience includes coordinating the defense of multi-jurisdiction litigation in tort and insurance related matters.

Through his representation of publicly traded corporations, private companies and individuals in a variety of business litigation matters, Mr. Lee has appeared in courts throughout Texas and Louisiana and has arbitrated domestic and international disputes before the NASD, NYSE, FINRA and AAA.

Mr. Lee has handled a number of cases involving contract disputes under the Uniform Commercial Code, including trials resulting in successful verdicts or judgments.

Through his representation of a wide variety of chemical manufacturers and marketing companies, Mr. Lee has developed a keen understanding of the design and operation of chemical plants, the production process, and the sale and marketing of a wide variety of chemicals. His experience in this area includes construction, insurance coverage and contractor negligence disputes involving chemical facilities along the Gulf Coast.

Mr. Lee was selected for inclusion in Texas Rising Stars in 2005 and 2008.

Chemical and Energy

• Represented [INSERT] in obtaining a multi-million dollar award in an international arbitration. The dispute involved claims for breach of contract arising out of the sale of biodiesel. The Panel awarded the client its full damages and rejected counterclaims in the process.
• Represented [INSERT] and secured a defense judgment in a breach of contract case arising out of the sale of biodiesel. In addition to rejecting the plaintiff's claims, the Court awarded the client its attorneys' fees.
• Represented [INSERT] and won a judgment in a case involving the sale of biodiesel. The Court granted summary judgment in favor of the client on the liability issue and damages were tried to the Court.
• Representation of a Fortune 1000 ethylene producer and obtained a multi-million dollar jury verdict in a case involving a contract for the sale of ethylene.
• Representation of publicly traded styrene monomer producer as lead trial counsel in a multi-million dollar construction dispute defending claims asserted by general contractor for lost productivity and extended overhead in connection with a large scale revamp of a styrene plant.
• Obtained multi-million dollar judgment against companies that purchased and took delivery of styrene monomer but failed to pay contract price.
• Representation of ethylene producer in responding to force majeure, loss productivity, extended overhead and other excess charges from general contractor in connection with a multi-million dollar construction project to allow feed flexibility in producing ethylene.
• Representation of polyethylene pipe manufacturer in defense against product liability claims filed in federal court in West Virginia.
• Representation of ethylene producer as lead trial counsel in pursuing multi-million dollar claim against contractor for destroying ethylene furnace tubes while performing work inside the facility.
• Representation of ethylene manufacturer in pursuing claims under a boiler and machinery insurance policy for destruction to tubes in a number of ethylene furnaces as a result of a sudden and unexpected shut-down of the facility.
• Representation of ethylene producer in connection with claims against electrical contractor for damaging ethylene furnace tubes during work on an unrelated project.
• Representation of ethylene producer in pursuing claims against contractor for faulty installation of furnace tubes in multiple ethylene furnaces.

Employment / Trade Secrets

• Representation of a Fortune 500 specialty chemical manufacturer as lead trial counsel in obtaining summary judgment dismissing age discrimination claim arising out of the termination of a plant employee.
• Representation of a publicly traded specialty chemical manufacturer against claim by former employee seeking long term disability payments.
• Representation of a major financial advisory services company as co-trial counsel in successfully defeating theft of trade secrets and breach of fiduciary duty claims asserted by a bank in a two week FINRA arbitration.
• Representation of a national construction contractor and obtained summary judgment dismissing sexual harassment and hostile work environment claims.

Product Liability/Mass Tort

• Representation of manufacturer of cold medicine in PPA litigation in Texas.
• Managed docket and served as lead trial counsel on behalf of national insurer in several hundred cases throughout Texas involving claims of mold damage in residential structures.
• Handled docket of Hurricane Katrina claims on behalf of national insurer in state and federal court in Louisiana.

Securities/Financial Institutions

• Defended as lead trial counsel financial services company in three day FINRA arbitration against libel claims asserted by former employee in connection with statements contained in employee's Form U-5 filing.
• Defended banks and major financial advisory companies and retail brokerage businesses against unsuitability, churning, unauthorized trading and other related claims in arbitrations before NASD, NYSE and FINRA.
• Defended banks and financial institutions against claims by account holders, including fictitious payee and forged endorsement claims arising under Article 3 of the Uniform Commercial Code.

• Martindale AV Rated Attorney
• State Bar of Texas, Member
• American Bar Association, Member
• Texas Bar Foundation, Fellow
• Houston Bar Association, Fellow