Charles is a Director in the Construction/Surety and Litigation sections of Coats Rose. Prior to joining Coats Rose, he was a shareholder at Brown Sims, P.C. Charles’ practice includes complex commercial, oil and gas, admiralty/maritime, construction, real estate, and personal injury litigation. His approach to the litigation process is intense, specifically when it comes to trial, oral arguments, motions, and negotiations.
Charles was selected as a Texas Super Lawyer Rising Star by Texas Monthly (2009-2012), an honor conferred upon only 2.5% of the total lawyers in Texas. He continues to support his alma mater as a volunteer judge of mock trial and moot court competitions at South Texas College of Law.
Charles’ practice focuses on complex commercial litigation, admiralty/maritime, oil and gas litigation, business and corporate affairs, personal injury defense, construction, complex tort, transportation, products liability, premises liability, and real estate litigation. He has represented businesses and individuals in both commercial and personal injury matters at both trial and appellate levels.
The University of Texas at Austin (B.B.A., 2000)
South Texas College of Law (J.D., 2003)
2003, Texas
State Bar of Texas
U.S. Court of Appeals, Fifth Circuit
U.S. District Court, Northern, Southern, Eastern and Western Districts of Texas
Texas Young Lawyers Association
American Bar Association (Litigation, Tort & Insurance, Health law sections)
Texas Trial Lawyers Association (Allied Member)
Houston Bar Association
Texas Association of Defense Counsel
- The defense of a damages claim in excess of $45 million arising out of a fire to a jackup rig, and on the first day of trial, Mr. Conrad’s client was granted summary judgment and was subsequently awarded all of its defense costs after appeal.
- The defense of personal injury claim arising out of vessel capsizing off the coast of Trinidad. At the conclusion of trial, Mr. Conrad’s client received 100% defense verdict.
- The prosecution of a damages claim in excess of $1 million arising out of downhole failure.
- The prosecution of multimillion-dollar property damage claim following an vessel-bridge allision following Hurricane Katrina. Mr. Conrad obtained a favorable settlement for his client.
- The defense of a intellectual property dispute alleging misappropriation of trade secrets, negligence, business disparagement, and conspiracy seeking over $15 million in damages. Mr. Conrad obtained dismissal for his for client.
- The defense of a wrongful death claim arising out of explosion that occurred during the construction of interstate pipeline. Mr. Conrad obtained a summary judgment dismissal for his client.
- The prosecution of property damage claim following an vessel-platform allision following Hurricane Rita. Mr. Conrad obtained a favorable settlement for his client.
- The defense an environmental company in a multi-million dollar pipeline explosion case in East Texas. After a two-week jury trial, Mr. Conrad’s client received a unanimous 100% defense verdict.
- The defense of a prime construction contractor in a multi-million dollar breach of contract case.
- The defense a multi-million dollar wrongful death and products liability claim against a products manufacturer.
- The defense of personal injury and property damage claims as the result of vessel-platform allision following Hurricane Katrina.
- The prosecution of numerous claims arising out of oil and gas contracts.
- The prosecution of a tenant’s inverse condemnation claim. Mr. Conrad obtained a favorable settlement for his client.
- The successful defense of numerous claims under the Jones Act and the Longshore Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act.
- The Offshore Drilling Co. v. Gulf Copper & Manufacturing Corp., 604 F.3d 221 (5th Cir. 2010)
- Dominguez v. Gulf Coast Marine & Assocs., 607 F.3d 1066 (5th Cir. 2010)
- Hickman v. PKD, Inc., 2007 WL 2238399 (Tex.App.-Houston [14th Dist.] 2007)
- Nichols v. Tanglewood Manor Apartments, 2006 WL 278282 (Tex.App.-Houston [14th Dist.] February 07, 2006)