HOUSTON – Bracewell LLP advised on two matters recognized as winners at the 2026 Houston Corporate Counsel Awards, which will be held on May 28.
Kellogg Brown & Root, LLC’s (KBR) victory before the US Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit was named Business Litigation of the Year, and Cactus, Inc.’s acquisition of Baker Hughes’ surface pressure control business was honored as M&A Transaction of the Year.
Business Litigation of the Year
KBR prevailed in an appeal arising from claims by Trinseo Europe GmbH alleging trade secret misappropriation involving polycarbonate manufacturing. On appeal, the case raised novel questions about apportioning damages across multiple alleged trade secrets. Bracewell defended the district court’s take-nothing judgment, setting aside the entirety of the jury’s damages awards.
Partners Warren W. Harris and Walter A. Simons served as appellate counsel for KBR, with Kriste Sullivan leading the company’s in-house legal team.
M&A Transaction of the Year
Partner Jason Jean led the Bracewell team advising Cactus on the joint venture between subsidiaries of Baker Hughes Company and Cactus Companies, LLC, in which Cactus will own 65 percent and assume operational control. Chief Legal Officer William Marsh led Cactus’ in-house team.
The transaction, which closed on January 2, 2026, is transformational for Cactus, as it diversifies the company’s geographic footprint and provides access to new growth markets.
The Houston Corporate Counsel Awards are sponsored by The Texas Lawbook and the Houston Chapter of the Association of Corporate Counsel. Over the past seven years, Bracewell has advised on six winning Transactions or Litigations of the Year across this program and its Dallas-Fort Worth counterpart.
