Robin Russell

Robin Russell is the Deputy Managing Partner of the firm.

Robin is a fellow in the American College of Bankruptcy and is recognized by Chambers USA as an Eminent Practitioner in Texas bankruptcy. Her practice combines a depth of experience across a broad spectrum of capital finance transactions, including restructurings, reorganizations, liquidations, asset-backed financings, and distressed asset acquisitions for clients in numerous industries, including energy, financial services, and real estate. She also provides strategic advice to corporate clients and special committees on the structuring of acquisitions and business relationships to minimize economic risks in the event of financial distress. Chambers USA quotes clients who describe her as “strategic,” “knowledgeable,” “practical,” and “a dean of the Bar.” One client described her as “able to view issues from multiple perspectives, analyze quickly and propose optimal solutions.”

Robin has been with the firm for 37 years and during that time served in numerous leadership positions and on numerous firmwide committees. In her role as Deputy Managing Partner, among other responsibilities, she leads the firm’s Marketing & Business Development Team. She is a member of the American Arbitration Association Commercial Panel of Neutrals and is a frequent speaker on financial transactions, restructuring, and energy-related topics. Robin has been both a consulting and testifying expert witness on customary practices in loan documentation and restructuring. Prior to joining the firm, she clerked for the Supreme Court of Texas.

• MLCJR, Inc. et al., No 23-90324 (CL); U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Texas, counsel to predecessor-in-interest with respect to decommissioning issues.
• Zurich v. Apache, Adversary No. 23-03137; U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Texas, counsel to beneficiary of surety contracts supporting decommissioning obligations.
• In re Buckingham Senior Living Community, Inc., No. 21-32155 (MI); U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Texas, counsel to Official Unsecured Creditors Committee.
• In re Fieldwood Energy, et al., No. 20-33948 (MI); U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Texas, counsel to restructuring support agreement party and counterparty under decommissioning agreement.
• In re Extraction Oil and Gas, Inc., et al., No. 20-11548 (CSS); U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware, counsel to energy services company asserting mechanics and materialmen’s liens under state law in excess of $27 million.
• In re Riverbend Foods LLC, No.19-24114 (GLT); U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania, counsel to defendant in litigation brought by Plan administrator.
• In re Rockies Region 2006 Limited Partnership, et. al., No. 18-33513 (SGJ); U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of Texas, counsel to plan sponsor.
• In re Fieldwood Energy, et al., No. 18-30648 (DRJ); U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Texas, counsel to counterparty under decommissioning agreement.
• In re EXCO Resources, et al., No. 18-30155; U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Texas, counsel to major creditor.
• In re Castex Energy Partners, et al., No. 17-35835; U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Texas, counsel to Official Unsecured Creditors Committee.
• In re Seadrill Limited, et al., No. 17-60079 (DRJ); U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Texas, co-counsel to the Coordinating Committee of Senior Secured Credit Facility Agents, Lenders, and Export Credit Agencies.
• In re Tidewater, Inc., No. 17-111 32 (BLS); U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware, counsel to the independent directors of the board.
• In re Azure Midstream Partners LP, No. 17-30461 (DRJ); U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Texas, counsel to purchaser of Debtor’s pipeline system.
• In re Vanguard Natural Resources, LLC, et al., No. 17-30560 (MI); U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Texas, counsel to the independent directors of the board.
• In re Stone Energy Corporation, et al., 16-36390 (MI); U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Texas, counsel to the independent directors of the board.
• In re Illinois Power Generating Company, 16-36326; U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Texas, co-counsel to debtor.
• In re Linc Energy, No. 16-32689 (DRJ); U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Texas, counsel to purchaser of Gulf Coast assets.
• In re Ultra Petroleum Corp., No. 16-32202 (MI); U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Texas, counsel to counterparty on numerous contracts and owner of gathering system.
• In re Linn Energy LLC, et al., No. 16-60040; U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Texas, counsel to counterparty on numerous contracts and owner of gathering system.
• In re Goodrich Petroleum Corp., No. 16-31975; U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Texas, counsel to counterparty and owner of gathering system.
• In re DJ Simmons Co., No. 16-11763 (JRG); U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Colorado, counsel to counterparty and owner of gathering system.
• In re Energy XXI Ltd., No. 16-31928, U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Texas (Houston), counsel to independent director.
• In re Sherwin Alumina Company, LLC, et al., No. 16-20012 (DRJ) (Jointly Administered); U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Texas, Corpus Christi Division, counsel to Official Unsecured Creditors Committee.
• In re Dune Energy, No. 15-10336; U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Western District of Texas, counsel to major creditor.
• In re Winland Ocean Shipping Corp., No. 15-60007; U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Texas, counsel for foreign lender.
• In re WBH Energy, LP, et al., No. 15-10003-hcm; U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Western District of Texas, counsel to purchaser of hydrocarbons.
• In re Energy Future Holdings Corp., et al., No. 14-50363-CSS; U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware, counsel to Luminant NAESB counterparty on letter of credit issues.
• Consultant to The West Group; Texas No Problem Fast Forms Collections Library.

Expert Witness

• DeClaire v. Vantage Drilling International f/k/a Offshore Group Investments, Ltd.; American Arbitration Association No. 01-16-0004-5701, expert witness.
• Bragg v. Vantage Drilling International f/k/a Offshore Group Investments, Ltd.; American Arbitration Association No. 01-16-0002-9554, expert witness for defendant.
• Inter National Bank, a National Banking Association v. XL Specialty Insurance Company, Axis Insurance Company and Security National Insurance Company; Cause No. C 4154-15-A in the District Court of Hidalgo County, Texas, 92nd Judicial District, expert witness for plaintiff.
• FDIC v. Phillips, King & Smith, et al.; CA No. H-96-354-1 in the U.S. District Court, Southern District of Texas, expert witness for defense on legal malpractice involving documentation of a loan secured by stock.

• Recommended for Corporate Restructuring (2012-2015, 2024), Legal 500 United States
• Recognized as an Eminent Practitioner (2020-2024) and a Leader (2010-2019) in Bankruptcy/Restructuring, Texas, Chambers USA
• Listed in Lawdragon’s 500 Leading Bankruptcy & Restructuring Lawyers (2022)
• Recognized as one of Oil & Gas Investor’s 25 Influential Women in Energy (2019)
• Recognized as an Acritas Star for outstanding performance (2018)
• Recognized as one of the Top 100 Restructuring & Turnaround Professionals by the Global M&A Network (2017)
• Recipient 2017 Dan Rugeley Price Memorial Award, Texas Bar Foundation
• Fellow, American College of Bankruptcy; Fifth Circuit Admissions Council (2013-2018)
• Recognized as a Texas Lawyer 2016 Women in Energy Honoree (2016)
• Judge John C. Akard Award Recipient presented by the State Bar of Texas Bankruptcy Section (2016)
• Women Who Mean Business, Finalist, Houston Business Journal (2016)
• Participant in Women in Law Hackathon (2016)
• Who’s Who in Law, Bankruptcy, Houston Business Journal (2015)
• Honored as one of “Houston’s 50 Most Influential Women of 2014” by Houston Woman Magazine (January 2015)
• Louise Raggio Award presented by the State Bar of Texas Women and Law Section (2014)
• The Best Lawyers in America, Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights/Insolvency and Reorganization Law; Corporate Law (2011-2024)
• Selected as a Super Lawyer for Bankruptcy Law, Texas Monthly magazine, 2008-2011, 2013-2020, 2022-2024
• Profiled as one of “Texas’ Top Rated Lawyers” by ALM in Bankruptcy (2012)
• Appointed by Fifth Circuit as practitioner member of 2011 Merit Selection Panel for a United States Bankruptcy Judge for the Southern District of Texas
• Direct Women Board Institute Member (selected in 2012 as a woman qualified to serve on a corporate board of a public company)
• “Women Worth Watching” 2012 Award Winner, Profiles In Diversity Journal (September/October 2011)
• June 2011 Baylor Law School Alumna of the Month
• In April 2011, Robin was recognized by the National Diversity Council as one of the Most Powerful and Influential Women in Texas
• American Law Institute (elected 2007)

• Center for Women in the Law, The University of Texas School of Law (Founder)
• Texas Bar Association, Bankruptcy Section 
• Houston Bar Association, Bankruptcy Section/HBA Equal Access Large Firm Champion
• Texas Bar Foundation (Life Fellow)
• The College of the State Bar of Texas
• Baylor Law Alumni Association (Life Member)
• Baylor Law Review Alumni Association (Life Member)
• American Inns of Court – Arthur L. Moller/David B. Foltz, Jr. Chapter (Master of the Bench)