Jones Walker Welcomes New Lawyer to Litigation Team

News Summary

Jones Walker LLP has announced the appointment of Erica Daehn-McHard as Special Counsel in its Houston office. With extensive experience in personal injury litigation for energy sector clients, she will enhance the firm’s capabilities in litigation. Daehn-McHard aims to contribute significantly to case strategies involving compliance, risk mitigation, and representation in various liability issues. This addition comes alongside other key appointments, indicating the firm’s strategic growth amid ongoing legal challenges, including class action lawsuits against CenterPoint Energy.

Legal Buzz: Jones Walker Welcomes New Talent to Litigation Team

In a significant announcement on April 22, 2025, Jones Walker LLP, one of the nation’s premier law firms ranked among the top 145, has added a new asset to its litigation practice. Erica Daehn-McHard has been appointed as Special Counsel within the firm’s Energy, Environmental & Natural Resources Industry Team in Houston, Texas. With extensive experience defending energy sector clients in personal injury litigation, Daehn-McHard is poised to make a notable impact on the firm’s service offerings in the realm of litigation.

Erica Daehn-McHard’s Responsibilities and Experience

Daehn-McHard’s role will include a variety of essential responsibilities that are critical to the success of the litigation practice. She will be tasked with developing case strategies, assessing compliance with industrial regulation, mitigating risks, and representing clients throughout the litigation process. The claims that Daehn-McHard will focus on include but are not limited to motor vehicle collisions, workplace accidents, and a range of liability issues.

Moreover, her expertise includes navigating complex issues related to the recovery of judgments through enforcement actions. Daehn-McHard’s diverse skill set not only covers the defense aspect but also extends to strategies beneficial for plaintiffs, showcasing her capacity to handle both sides of the litigation landscape. Her background includes significant experience in commercial litigation, traumatic brain injuries, automobile collisions, trucking litigation, bad faith litigation, construction litigation, medical malpractice defense, and insurance-related disputes.

A New Chapter at Jones Walker

Daehn-McHard expressed enthusiasm about joining the respected and talented energy litigation team at Jones Walker. Her ambition is to leverage her years of experience in personal injury litigation, contributing to the firm’s reputation while expanding her own professional horizon.

Recent Developments at Jones Walker

In addition to welcoming Daehn-McHard, Jones Walker also announced other notable personnel appointments, including Laura D’Angelo as a Partner in the Corporate Practice Group focusing on the Gaming Industry Team, and Julia Bonestroo Banegas, who will join as Special Counsel in the Maritime Practice Group. These hires demonstrate Jones Walker’s strategic expansion in key practice areas across the firm.

Ongoing Legal Challenges for CenterPoint Energy

CenterPoint Energy by Harris County health and wellness business owners, claiming damages exceeding $100 million due to the company’s delayed response to Hurricane Beryl. The plaintiffs argue that the slow service restoration significantly harmed businesses, particularly those owned by women and minorities. This case, joined by legal representatives Erica Rose and Charles Sanders from Rose Sanders PLLC, is part of a growing trend of litigation against CenterPoint Energy, which has faced previous accusations of logistical failures and mismanagement. CenterPoint’s CEO, Jason Wells, defended the company’s response time, asserting it was quicker than competitors.

As the legal community keeps a close eye on CenterPoint’s handling of these challenges, additional lawsuits continue to surface, indicating a turbulent period for the energy giant. Attorneys Rose and Sanders are collaborating with other lawyers, including Tony Buzbee, who is concentrating on claims affecting restaurant owners, while Rose and Sanders address a wider array of businesses. Experts suggest that more class actions could be anticipated as ongoing issues with CenterPoint Energy unfold.

Conclusion

As Jones Walker LLP strengthens its team with seasoned professionals like Erica Daehn-McHard, the firm is well-positioned to handle the complexities of energy litigation and beyond. The legal community watches with keen interest as new talent joins the firm and faces looming challenges in the industry. With active cases against major corporations like CenterPoint Energy, the future of litigation in Houston promises to be anything but dull.