Laranda Walker

Laranda Walker is a member of the firm’s Executive Committee and represents plaintiffs and defendants in complex commercial litigation in federal and state courts across the United States. She is experienced in every aspect and stage of litigation – through case inception to discovery to trial prep to trial, arbitration or settlement. A trusted litigator, Ms. Walker understands when a case should be pushed through to trial or when a negotiated settlement is in her client’s best interest.

Ms. Walker regularly represents some of the world’s largest companies and industry leaders—such as Chevron and Texas Brine. She has also won significant victories for small businesses and individuals.  Ms. Walker is well-versed in litigating all types of commercial matters, including Energy and Environmental, Business Disputes and Real Estate cases.  She also has in-depth experience in qui-tam cases.

High Profile Litigation

Ms. Walker has played a significant role in several trials and arbitrations. She was recently hired less than six months before a preferentially set jury trial in Texas state court to represent a plaintiff in a nearly decade-long theft of trade secrets dispute between two manufacturing competitors. Ms Walker and her team tried the case and secured a non-appealable award which netted her client a substantial award.

Ms. Walker helped secure a $20 million jury verdict for Houston-based Linde Engineering in a major construction dispute with Crestwood Midstream. The dispute involved Crestwood’s refusal to pay Linde’s invoices in connection with construction of a $100+ million gas plant in North Dakota. Read more (subscription required).

Ms. Walker is serving as counsel to Live Nation, defending the entertainment company in litigation arising from the 2021 Astroworld Music Festival. Ms. Walker also is part of the Susman Godfrey team litigating a $1.6 billion dollar defamation lawsuit against Fox News on behalf of Dominion Voting Systems. This case has attracted widespread media attention from outlets such as the New York Times, Washington Post, CNBC, The Associated Press and LA Times. Ms. Walker is also trying similar cases on behalf of Dominion against others such as Sidney Powell, Rudy Giuliani, and Mike Lindell. The team has already defeated several motions to dismiss.

Background

Recognizing the impact that mentors have had on her life, Ms. Walker is committed to helping others reach their full potential. Ms. Walker is a member of the firm’s Mentoring Committee and  enjoys mentoring Susman Godfrey associates. Ms. Walker has also mentored students in the Thurgood Marshall Legal Society at the University of Texas School of Law where she is a trusted role model and depended-upon resource to some of the law school’s top students.

Ms. Walker is also a board member of Texas Appleseed, a nonprofit organization that promotes social, economic, and racial justice. In 2020 Ms. Walker was selected as a member of the Institute for Energy Law’s 2020-2021 Leadership Class.

Before joining Susman Godfrey, Ms. Walker practiced commercial litigation at Phelps Dunbar, LLP in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and was President of the Baton Rouge Bar Association’s Young Lawyer Section.  A Mississippi native, Ms. Walker worked several years as a news anchor/reporter for stations in Columbus, Mississippi, and Baton Rouge before attending law school.

Notable Representations

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Leadership & Professional Memberships