Marty Truss
Member
Litigation
J.D. St. Mary's University School of Law
B.A. The University of Texas at San Antonio
Office:
San Antonio, TX
(210) 953-1797
Biography
An experienced trial lawyer working principally in the energy industry, Marty Truss brings a committed and tough, yet practical, approach to solving clients’ problems in complex commercial litigation. Whether charting a strategic course through pre-litigation controversies to first-chair courtroom advocacy in “bet the company” litigation, high-net-worth individuals and businesses of varying size and sophistication routinely turn to Marty for his creative, results-oriented approach to dispute resolution.
Marty has represented clients in trials and arbitrations of complex business disputes in counties in every nook and cranny of Texas and across the country from California to New York. He has represented major and independent producers, operators and other mineral interest owners, as well as oil field service companies, drilling contractors, pipeline companies and refiners in a wide variety of business litigation. He frequently handles litigation involving disputes concerning mineral title, joint operating agreements, farmout agreements, pipeline agreements, IADC contracts, trade secrets, and business fraud. Marty is a AAA panel arbitrator for Commercial Disputes.
Memberships & Awards
Professional
Chambers USA, Band 1 Ranking: General Commercial Litigation – Texas: San Antonio & SurroundsPeer Review Rated AV Preeminent by Martindale-Hubbell The Best Lawyers in America®, Commercial Litigation (2010-Present), Energy Law (2018-Present), Litigation - Environmental (2015-Present), Litigation - Real Estate (2013-Present), Oil and Gas Law (2018-Present)The Best Lawyers in America® 2018, 2020, 2022 "Lawyer of the Year" in Energy Law and Oil & Gas LawSan Antonio Magazine's "San Antonio's Top Attorneys" for Oil & Gas, 2019-2021"Outstanding Lawyer of the Year – Litigation”, San Antonio Business Journal, 2011Distinguished Law Graduate Award, St. Mary’s University School of Law 2016Texas Super Lawyers® Business Litigation and Energy & Natural Resources, 2007- PresentSan Antonio Business Journal and Houston Business Journal's Who's Who in Energy, 2012, 2014-2016S.A. Scene in "San Antonio’s Best Lawyers" for Business Litigation & Energy: Oil & GasS.A. Scene in "San Antonio’s Best Lawyers" for Business Litigation & Energy: Oil & GasSan Antonio Young Lawyers Association, "Outstanding Mentor Award," 2008
Key Experience
Lead arbitration counsel in complex royalty litigation defending against claim of $300,000,000 in royalty damages. Successful arbitration award from oil and gas panel was less than .5% of Plaintiff’s claim.
Lead trial counsel to a publicly traded exploration and production (E&P) company in successful prosecution of trade secret misappropriation claims. Following a 41-day trial, the Court awarded judgment for misappropriation of trade secrets and entered a 8-figure damage dollar damage award.
Lead arbitration counsel in complex business divorce involving multiple oilfield trucking businesses. Obtained multi-million dollar settlement in middle of arbitration immediately after cross-examination of defense witnesses in client’s case in chief.
Work Experience
2022 Steptoe & Johnson PLLC
1996-2022 Cox & Smith Incorporated/Dykema Gossett
1996-2022 Cox & Smith Incorporated/Dykema Gossett
Speaking Engagements
Trade Secret Litigation: Applied Ethics in the Oil Patch, 9th Annual Oil & Gas Disputes Course, State Bar of Texas, January 2023Apache v. Castex and the Willful Misconduct Standard in JOAs, 48th Annual Earnest E. Smith Mineral Law Institute, University of Texas School of Law, April 2022Discovery Update, 8th Annual Oil & Gas Disputes Course, State Bar of Texas, January 2022Trade Secrets in the Oil Patch, Texas Advanced Paralegal Seminar, State Bar of Texas, September 2021