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Daniel D. Pipitone began his law practice by completing a two-year Federal Judicial Clerkship in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.  He began the private practice of law in Corpus Christi and South Texas and, later, in Houston.  Over the course of the past 28 years, he has tried many cases to a jury as well as to a court throughout Texas, and in Georgia, Louisiana and Mississippi. While his principle focus involves Admiralty/Maritime Law and Litigation, he has considerable experience in matters involving Commercial, Equine and Product Liability Law and Litigation. Philosophically, Mr. Pipitone firmly believes that the most favorable resolution for a client is one that is eventually achieved by first proceeding proactively, aggressively and efficiently.

Representative Experience

• Successfully represented a major Texas-based dredging contractor in numerous litigation matters brought under the Jones Act and General Maritime Laws, some of which were very favorably tired to verdict in Rio Grande Valley State Courts.
• Presented a case to the U.S. Supreme Court involving choice of law, venue and forum non conveniens issues, the resolution of which resulted in the dismissal of numerous personal injury and death claims collectively valued at approximately $15 million, and thereby permitting the regional commercial fishing client to remain viable.
• Successfully presented and argued a case to the Texas Supreme Court resulting in its adoption of the Search and rescue Doctrine and the application of such doctrine in a manner so as to reverse and render judgment in favor or an international maritime client against whom a substantial judgment had earlier been awarded.
• Successfully presented and argued a case to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit resulting in the adoption of the Primary Duty Doctrine Defense and the application of such doctrine in a manner so as to maintain a minimal judgment of approximately $10,000 awarded by the District Court to the Plaintiffs in a matter involving a wrongful death claim.
• Successfully litigated a property damage and lost profit claim on behalf of an admiralty client whose offshore, semi=submersible drilling rig sustained structural damage to one of its legs, which litigation efforts resulted in a settlement of $6.7 million.
• Successfully presented and argued a case to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit resulting in the correct interpretation of “other insurance” clauses and the application of such an interpretation in a manner extremely favorable to a high-profile domestic underwriter.
• Consented to make a presentation and made such a presentation to the Panama Canal Authority regarding defense tactics when managing claims, and when pursuing and presenting a defense in litigated and tried matters.

Case Studies

• Equine Law - Hobby Losses Aren't Horseplay: Recent Case Examines the Deductibility of Equestrian-Related Expenses
• Admiralty & Maritime - In a World of Mediated-Settlements, Some Cases Need to be Tried

News

• Successful Defense of MRSA Claims
  January 2009
• How To Fight Pirates
  December 1, 2008
• Equine Law Practice Group Hosts Seminars
  September 2007
• Fraud, Taxes Focus of Horse Owners Seminar
  September 2007

Professional Affiliations

• American Bar Association
• Proctor in Admiralty, Maritime Law Association of the United States
• National Association of Defense Counsel
• Texas Bar Association
• Texas Association of Defense Counsel
• Houston Bar Association
• Corpus Christi Bar Association