McLean Bell

McLean is a versatile trial lawyer who oversees high-stakes litigation for both individuals and the world’s largest energy companies. McLean takes an upfront and candid approach to complex cases without sacrificing attorney’s fees on antiquated approaches and inefficient practices. His methodology relies on early case evaluation, strategy, and goal setting, allowing him to accommodate the client’s business goals and budget.

As a civil litigator, McLean represents clients in a wide range of matters, including upstream, midstream, and downstream oil and gas disputes, complex business litigation, business divorces, real estate litigation, construction litigation, and personal injury defense. His clients admire him for his candor, efficiency, and oral advocacy. During his first five years at McGinnis Lochridge, McLean authored and argued dispositive motions, first chaired TRO and TI proceedings, and served as both a first and second chair in bench trials, arbitrations, and regulatory proceedings.

McLean’s background representing large corporations has allowed him to specialize in e-discovery and data-management. In several cases, McLean has headed document review teams where he oversaw the review of millions of documents. Through these experiences, McLean garnered an expertise in e-discovery management and database organization that provides unique efficiencies in e-discovery.

Prior to joining McGinnis Lochridge, McLean attended Baylor Law, a top-tier trial advocacy school. There, McLean graduated cum laude, served on law review, and was a member of multiple Mock Trial and Moot Court teams. McLean spent his first summer of law school honing his trial advocacy when he interned for the Comal County Criminal District Attorney’s Office. As an intern for the DA, McLean assisted in the selection of juries and preparation for trial.

Community & Professional

• Graduate of AYLA Leadership Academy
• Robert W. Calvert American Inn of Court
• Baylor Law Review
• Baylor Barrister Society

Experience:

Oil, Gas, and Energy Litigation Experience

• Represented major oil and gas company in gas trading lawsuit arising from Winter Storm Uri. Authored and argued successful summary judgment that resulted in favorable settlement for client.
• Served as lead Plaintiff’s counsel for gas and electric utility companies in line-strike cases.
• Represented major pipeline in pipeline construction dispute. A positive outcome at a temporary injunction hearing allowed the project to be completed in a timely manner.
• Represented major oil and gas company in case involving pipeline imbalances. 
• Successfully defended major oil and gas company in three-day arbitration matter involving no-notice gas contract.
• Defended major oil and gas company in Eagle Ford Shale frac hit dispute. Authored successful statute of limitations motion for summary judgment.
• Represented entities in numerous contested dockets at the Railroad Commission, including single signature P-4 disputes and disputes regarding salt-water disposal into productive formations.
• Served as co-counsel for Municipality in FEMA arbitration related to natural gas consumption during Winter Storm Uri.
• Consulted numerous major oil and gas companies on regulatory compliance.

Business and General Litigation Experience

• Managed numerous cases involving partnership disputes and business divorces.
• Represented numerous private schools, including universities, in breach of contract and personal injury lawsuits.
• Managed numerous cases involving land development disputes, contractor disputes, and construction defects.
• Representing landowner in cattle trespass case, where the trespass threatened the landowner’s tax exemption. Obtained temporary restraining order and injunction against defendants, resulting in the trespasser building a new fence.
• Served as Plaintiff’s counsel in a dispute involving a commercial property being negligently burned by an adjacent tenant.
• Represented landowner against negligent arborist.
• Drafted successful motion for summary judgment in securities arbitration case.
• Successfully represented landowners in temporary restraining order and temporary injunction.
• Obtained take-nothing judgment for a Rental Car Agency in conversion dispute.
• Served as first chair in multiple eviction bench trials.
• Authored and argued numerous successful pleas to the jurisdiction when representing governmental entities; many resulting in take-nothing judgments against plaintiff.
• Authored successful motion for summary judgment in securities arbitration case.
• Advised numerous commercial and residential landlords and tenants concerning lease disputes.

Publications

• M.D. Anderson Foundation Spring Moot Court Competition, Semi-Finalist (2018-2019)