Sean Gorman

Partner, Houston

Biography

Overview

Sean Gorman represents clients in high-risk and high-value disputes, and focuses his trial practice on four core areas of business controversies: contracts, business torts, antitrust, and intellectual property. He is also retained by clients to resolve seemingly intractable disputes in other areas, including adversary proceedings in bankruptcy cases, mass torts, litigation arising under the U.S. Constitution, and follow-on litigation related to criminal prosecutions.

His recent victories include a $1.6 billion fraud and breach of contract judgment for KKR-owned BMC Software against International Business Machines Corporation (IBM) in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas. The judgment is one of the largest in U.S. history arising from a business relationship.

Sean's strategic thinking, outstanding courtroom advocacy, and grit have received consistent and extraordinary recognition, which summarizes what he brings to the table. For example, in 2023, Chambers USA wrote that Sean is "super intelligent while being humble and pragmatic." In 2022, Chambers USA called Sean a "formidable advocate," and in 2021, "an impressive litigator" who is a "brilliant strategist and negotiator" able to "instill total confidence that the client is in capable hands." In 2019 Chambers USA called Sean "a brilliant litigator and masterful strategist," and noted that he is "very effective and personable in court," while the 2015 edition reported that Sean is "recommended by clients for his 'immediate laser focus on the issue and his ability to quickly and confidently formulate a strategy.'" In 2014, Chambers USA highlighted another client's outstanding experience: "[Sean] achieved results in trial beyond my highest expectations—I was really impressed with his toughness as a trial lawyer. He's also a skilled strategist in litigation—you don't always get that combination together."

He has represented plaintiffs and defendants in the energy, financial services, chemical, petrochemical, steel, communications, oil field services, medical products, software, government, accounting, construction, real estate, and manufacturing sectors.

Bars and Courts
Texas State Bar
US District Court for the Eastern District of Texas
US District Court for the Northern District of Texas
US District Court for the Southern District of Texas
US Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit
Education
JD
University of Houston Law Center
BA
University of Houston
Languages
English

Experience

Awards and Recognition

Chambers USA
Texas Litigation: General Commercial, 2013 - 2023; Texas Litigation: Energy & Natural Resources, 2019

The Legal 500 United States
General Commercial Disputes, 2016 - 2023; Energy Litigation: Oil and Gas, 2017 - 2020; Energy: Litigation, 2016