Overview
(July 29, 2024, Houston) Steptoe secured summary judgment defeating a $28.5 million counterclaim against client Valaris, whose subsidiary Ensco we represent in a breach-of-contract claim in the Eastern District of Louisiana. In January, Valaris, one of the world's largest offshore drilling contractors, retained Steptoe to prosecute a $9 million contract claim against oil and gas operator Cantium, after which Cantium struck back with its counterclaim. A Motion for Summary Judgment was filed on behalf of Valaris to dismiss the counterclaim to argue that the contract barred Cantium's claims.
The Court agreed with Steptoe and granted the Motion the day that it was submitted, practically unheard of in the Eastern District of Louisiana. In winning the Motion, our client avoided expensive discovery on Cantium's counterclaims.
We continue to represent Valaris in their claims against Cantium and are set for trial in January.
The Steptoe team includes partners David Isaak and Jackie Tobin, attorney Mia Pipkin, and paralegal Antrice Thomas.
About Steptoe
In more than 110 years of practice, Steptoe has earned an international reputation for vigorous representation of clients before governmental agencies, successful advocacy in litigation and arbitration, and creative and practical advice in structuring business transactions. Steptoe has more than 500 lawyers and other professional staff across offices in Beijing, Brussels, Chicago, Hong Kong, Houston, London, Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco, and Washington. For more information, visit www.steptoe.com.
