About Us

Hogan Thompson Schuelke LLP is a litigation boutique located in Houston, Texas.  We represent plaintiffs and defendants in state and federal court and arbitration proceedings, with a focus on energy-industry disputes.  We combine Big Law credentials with a boutique firm approach to give clients the best opportunity for success at the courthouse. With attorneys licensed to practice in Texas, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia, and licensed in federal courts across numerous jurisdictions, the firm represents clients across the United States.

Energy litigation focus

Hogan Thompson Schuelke exclusively handles commercial litigation, with a focus on representing energy companies. Founded by Christopher Hogan and Samantha Thompson in 2020, Hogan Thompson Schuelke’s industry sector experience includes upstream oil and gas, oil and gas midstream, construction related to energy projects, and real estate. Our key areas of focus include oil & gas litigation, shale litigation, and royalty litigation.

We have experience in resolving commercial disputes of all sizes for Fortune 500 companies, mid-sized businesses, and individuals. Our attorneys have worked on disputes across oil and gas-producing regions in the United States, including the Permian and Delaware Basins, the Eagle Ford Shale, the Haynesville Shale, the DJ Basin, and offshore Gulf of Mexico. 

Our attorneys

Our partners, Christopher Hogan, Samantha Thompson and James Schuelke, all graduated from top-ranked law schools and have significant experience in state and federal court and arbitration proceedings. Every lawyer on our team served as a federal judicial clerk.

Founding partner Christopher Hogan has substantial experience in federal court, state court, and arbitration proceedings. He has tried numerous cases as first chair, including jury trials and arbitration final hearings. He is a member of the Pattern Jury Charges – Oil and Gas Committee for the Texas Bar Association, a council member for the Oil, Gas & Energy Resources Law Section of the State Bar of Texas, and an officer for the Institute for Energy Law – Litigation and Dispute Practice Committee.

Founding partner Samantha Thompson views each case as a chapter in the intricate story of her clients’ businesses and is energized by helping clients reach a favorable resolution. Initially pursuing a career in research psychology, Samantha brings an intense curiosity and diligence to her law practice. She also serves on the Young Energy Professionals Council for the Institute for Energy Law,

Partner James Schuelke brings extensive trial experience in construction, midstream and petrochemical disputes to Hogan Thompson Schuelke. He is known for his ability to handle every stage of a case, from pre-suit negotiations through jury verdicts and final appeals. Both as lead counsel and in key roles on multi-member trial teams, he has represented clients across a broad range of industries in complex litigation and arbitration matters. 

Of Counsel Jennifer Josephson works collaboratively with legal teams, helping to win challenging commercial disputes in state and federal trial and appellate courts. With her clear, persuasive writing style, her deep research skills, and her audience always in mind, Jennifer has successfully spearheaded countless critical trial motions and appellate briefs over the course of her career.

Of Counsel Solace Southwick has practiced trial law for more than thirty years, with her primary focus in contract and commercial disputes. Solace particularly enjoys untangling thorny legal issues in both trial and appellate courts, and she has substantial experience arguing in Texas and federal courts of appeals.  

Senior associate Melissa Esterholm focuses her practice on complex business litigation and appeals, primarily representing energy companies.  She has represented clients in a diverse range of civil disputes, including breach of contract, general business torts, and intellectual property matters.

Associate Johnathan Mondel represents clients in a variety of civil matters, with industry experience in energy, trade secrets, financial services, securities, products liability, and railroads. He takes the time to deeply understand his clients’ business intricacies along with the motivations of his opponents.

Associate Cody Rutowski has represented clients from the pleadings stage through presenting oral argument before a court of last resort. He has appeared before the U.S. Supreme Court and the Supreme Court of Texas, as well as multiple federal circuit courts of appeals, Texas courts of appeals, federal district courts, and state trial courts.

Associate Jessica Pharis has represented clients in federal and state courts across the country and has experience in discovery, hearing preparation, and motions practice. Her recent matters include energy, intellectual property, and contract disputes.

Associate Hannah Warren represents and counsels clients in a wide range of complex commercial disputes, focused primarily within the energy industry. An innate problem solver and keen at distilling information, Hannah excels in her ability to work with clients and experts in complex fields.

Our fee structures

As a litigation boutique, Hogan Thompson Schuelke offers our clients competitive and flexible fee structures. We staff cases leanly and can work more efficiently in our litigation-focused practice to keep costs down without sacrificing quality for our clients.  We work on standard hourly rates as well as alternative fee arrangements (e.g. contingent fees, flat fees and hybrid fees) to serve our clients in a way that suits their needs.