The Elite Trial Lawyers award recognizes exemplary performance in the courtroom, according to NLJ. The publication’s editors and reporters reviewed about 300 submissions across 23 categories to select the winners. Ms. Castañeda’s profile is available here (subscription required).

One of Ms. Castañeda’s most notable recent victories was a $146 million verdict on behalf of T. Boone Pickens and Mesa Petroleum, which was recognized as one of the largest in the nation in 2016 by NLJ and one of the largest in Texas by Texas Lawyer.

Ms. Castañeda served as lead trial counsel for Mr. Pickens’ company in the long-running dispute, which resulted in a five-week trial in Pecos, Texas.

“That was undoubtedly one of the most interesting cases I’ve worked on,” said Ms. Castañeda. “What started out as a routine breach of contract case evolved into a complex, nine-figure lawsuit. Oil and gas is a volatile game, and you never know what you’re going to dig up.”

A former Harvard mathematics student and degreed engineer, Ms. Castañeda is uniquely positioned to litigate complex oil, gas and energy cases. She also has extensive experience in commercial litigation, trade secrets, products liability, pharmaceutical, medical device, and toxic tort litigation.

Ms. Castañeda’s accomplishments do not go unnoticed: in addition to the NLJ recognition, she has been awarded the Women in Energy prize by Texas Lawyer, has been named one of D Magazine’s Best Lawyers in Dallas and was recognized by Super Lawyers compiled by Thomson Reuters.

About The Castañeda Firm

The Castañeda Firm represents litigation clients in the energy industry and beyond. From offices in Dallas, the firm provides extensive experience in a variety of complex litigation, including oil and gas disputes, complex commercial cases, products liability suits, and toxic torts and other environmental matters. For more information: www.castaneda-firm.com.