Adam Dinnell

About Adam Dinnell

Adam is a trial lawyer who has handled some of the highest-profile tort cases of the past decade, including suits related to the Flint water crisis, Hurricane Katrina, and the 2001 anthrax attacks. Since joining SHJ, he has focused on complex commercial and toxic tort matters, successfully trying several multimillion-dollar cases for leading companies in the oil and gas industry. Clients value Adam’s ability to translate complicated scientific and technical subjects—from strip mining practices and fracking techniques to bacterial genomics—into straightforward, accessible presentations to judges and juries. He has presented or cross-examined experts in more than two dozen disciplines, including allergy-immunology, cardiology, combustion engineering, disaster science, drilling engineering, economics, epidemiology, geology, industrial hygiene, infectious disease, metallurgy, mine engineering, molecular biology, natural gas trading, pipelines, pulmonology, toxicology, and water engineering. Over his career, Adam has tried more than 25 cases and argued before numerous courts across the country, including U.S. courts of appeals, U.S. district courts, state courts, and the U.S. Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation (MDL). As a veteran of multiple MDLs, he is well-versed in MDL strategy and procedure. Previously, Adam spent a decade as a trial lawyer for the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), Civil Division, where he defended the United States in complex, high-stakes civil litigation in federal courts nationwide. He served as senior trial counsel in the Department’s Environmental Tort Litigation Section, managing all aspects of mass tort and toxic tort cases. Notably, Adam represented the United States as lead or deputy lead counsel in several high-profile matters, including litigation relating to water quality in Flint, MI; formaldehyde exposures in FEMA trailers used after Hurricane Katrina; and a deadly outbreak of Legionnaires’ disease at the VA hospital in Pittsburgh, PA. Adam’s varied experience also includes prosecution of criminal cases for the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia. A frequent instructor for law school trial advocacy programs, Adam regularly speaks on a variety of litigation topics, including the use of scientific evidence and strategic case development. Throughout his career, he has been heavily involved in mentorship and pro bono work, serving as a DOJ mentor coordinator, a Houston Bar Association mentor, and pro bono counsel for individual clients in both the District of Columbia and Houston.

Experience

1. Partner

   Hicks Johnson Pllc

   Jan 2017 — Present · Houston, TX, US

   Represent plaintiffs and defendants in complex commercial disputes, tort claims, and product cases. Try high-stakes matters, particularly those involving a scientific or technical component. Notable Experience: • Tried multimillion-dollar federal case on behalf of a gas drilling company involving the provision of oilfield services. Successfully obtained a no liability verdict for the client. • Tried multimillion-dollar contractual dispute involving fracking equipment in U.S. Bankruptcy Court. Successfully obtained a defense ruling for the client. • Tried $100 million contractual dispute involving natural gas sales. • Represented mineral owner in dispute with mining company concerning ownership rights. Presented argument and evidence during multi-day temporary injunction hearing. • Represented a consulting company at arbitration involving a million-dollar business valuation dispute. • Successfully obtained dismissal and an award of sanctions in favor of client under the Texas Citizens\' Participation Act in response to a $35 million tortious interference suit brought against client by a wind energy developer. • Represented individual in a healthcare non-competition dispute against former employer. • Represent individuals in high-visibility matters involving the Catholic Church abuse scandal in Houston, TX, and the wrongful death of a Peace Corps volunteer.

Education

• Tulane University Law School

  Juris Doctor, J.D., cum laude

  2003 — 2006

• University of Notre Dame

  Bachelor of Arts, B.A., Political Science

  1999 — 2003