Mani S. Walia

Mr. Walia represents both plaintiffs and defendants in all types of commercial litigation in federal courts, state courts, and arbitrations. He handles all aspects of litigation and trial advocacy, including appeals. Mr. Walia joined Susman Godfrey in 2011 after starting his career at Baker Botts, LLP, and clerking for two federal judges.

Mr. Walia has experience trying commercial cases, arguing motions in court, and taking expert and fact depositions.  For instance, in a recent arbitration for client Forest Oil Corporation, Mr. Walia examined six expert witnesses—including cross-examining four of the plaintiffs’ experts.  In addition, in recent patent litigation filed in federal court for client Sky Technologies against global software makers, including Microsoft, Mr. Walia successfully briefed and argued against a defendant’s motion to dismiss. 

Mr. Walia also has substantial legal writing experience. While clerking for a judge on the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit, he taught legal writing as an adjunct professor at Widener University School of Law. He also taught a seminar in May 2011 on legal writing in trial and appellate briefs at the request of the Houston Bar Association. Finally, Mr. Walia has had one of his recent law review publications, Putting the "Mandatory" Back in the Mandatory Detention Act, cited by a federal court in a published judicial opinion.

The University of Texas School of Law (J.D., with honors, 2006)
The University of Texas (B.B.A., with honors, Business Honors Program & Finance, 2003)

Law Clerk to the Honorable Jane R. Roth, United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit, 2008-2009
Law Clerk to the Honorable Hayden W. Head, United States District Court of the Southern District of Texas, 2006-2007

• Member, Texas Law Review, Volume 84
• Managing Editor, The Review of Litigation, Volume 25 (March 2005-August 2005); Editor, Volume 24
• Editor, Texas Intellectual Property Law Journal, Volume 13
• Continued Legal Education Speaker for the Houston Bar Association, Effective Legal Writing in Appellate Briefs, May 19, 2011
• Alumni Spotlight Recipient, Texas Exes Asian Alumni Network, February 2011. See http://www.asiantexasexes.org/2011/february-alumni-spotlight-mani-walia/

• Mr. Walia represented Forest Oil Corporation against claims for alleged environmental contamination, assault with allegedly radioactive oil well tubing, and other similarly specious claims in a three-week arbitration. During the arbitration, Mr. Walia examined six expert witnesses—including cross-examining four of plaintiffs’ expert witnesses and plaintiffs’ sole rebuttal expert witness to conclude the evidentiary part of the case.  To read two of his cross-examination transcripts, please click here and here.  And to read one of his direct-examination transcripts, please click here. 
• Along with Alexandra White, Mr. Walia represents a Boston-based technology licensing firm, Sky Technologies, in patent litigation against global software makers, including Microsoft. Mr. Walia successfully argued against a defendant’s motion to dismiss in federal court.
• Mr. Walia represents a monoline insurer of residential-backed mortgage securities.
• Along with Firm founder, Steve Susman, Mr. Walia currently represents a limited partner of a Texas partnership, involving the healthcare industry, in a buyout dispute.
• Mr. Walia currently represents a large oil-and-gas company in an alleged breach of partnership dispute.
• Mr. Walia currently represents a national futures directives trading platform against claims asserted by former traders.
• Through a volunteer program with the City of Houston while practicing at Baker Botts, Mr. Walia tried 25 criminal prosecutions of state-law violations from voir dire to jury verdict.
• Pro Bono representation of an asylum seeker from the Democratic Republic of Congo, resulting in a successful trial before the U.S. Immigration Court in which asylum was granted.  In rare move, the court granted asylum after Mr. Walia’s direct examination. 
• Pro Bono representation of a homeowner involving alleged violations of homeowners' policies, resulting in a successful mediation in which Mr. Walia handled all aspects of mediation strategy and argument.

• Putting the "Mandatory" Back in the Mandatory Detention Act, 85 St. John's Law Review 1 (Winter 2011) (cited in United States v. Christman, 712 F. Supp. 2d 651, 655 n.6 (E.D. Ky. 2010)).  Click here to view the article.

• Persuading Quickly: Tips for Writing an Effective Brief, written with Judge Jane R. Roth, 11 The Journal of Appellate Practice and Process 443 (2010).  Click here to view the article.

• The PLRA and Rule 20 in Harmony: Apportioning a Single Fee for Multiple Indigent Prisoners When They Proceed Jointly, 58 Drake Law Review 541 (2010).  Click here to view the article.

• Moderator, North American South Asian Bar Association Annual Convention, June 2011.
• Speaker, South Texas College of Law, South Asian Law Students Association, September 2010 and September 2011
• Panelist, "Navigating the Law Clerk Process," Widener School of Law, Wilmington, December 2008
• Speaker, "Tips on Law School and Practice," University of Houston, Phi Alpha Delta PreLaw Fraternity, June 2007

• State Bar of Texas
• United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit
• Houston Bar Association
• North American South Asian Bar Association
• South American Bar Association of Houston, President, 2010-2011