John B. Lawrence

John Lawrence tries complex commercial cases in courts and tribunals across the country. His practice focuses on defending companies and their officers and directors in securities and shareholder actions, M&A challenges, and other high stakes business disputes. He also advises boards of directors, board committees, and significant shareholders on governance issues and fiduciary duty matters. Chambers USA (2023) describes John as "a very, very sharp lawyer," and has ranked him among the top securities litigators in Texas, stating: “John has a wealth of knowledge.  He has a very sharp mind for strategy and he’s responsive, efficient, and has a very pleasant, professional demeanor."  The Legal 500 U.S. has also recognized John in the field of Securities Litigation, describing him as "intelligent" and "methodical," and Business Today named John to its 2023 list of the “Top 10 Most Influential Securities Litigation Lawyers in Texas.” 

John is the Treasurer of the Dallas Bar Association's Securities Section, and also serves on the DBA's Standing Committee on Equality.

John is also a recognized leader in the Dallas community. He is the former President of the Advisory Board of the Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing and Visual Arts, Dallas' world-renowned public arts high school, and continues to serve on its Executive Committee. He also serves on the Executive Committee of the Board of Directors of Girls Inc. of Metropolitan Dallas, is a member of the United Way Tocqueville Society, and previously sat on the Steering Committee of the United Way Young Leaders Society.

Securities Litigation

• Fracking company – defense of federal Section 11 securities class action in Texas state court
• Directors of Starz – defense of Delaware shareholder litigation challenging Starz's merger with Lions Gate Entertainment
• AT&T – defense of Delaware derivative fiduciary duty action
• Officers and directors of Adeptus Health, Inc. – defense of securities class action in the Eastern District of Texas, state-law fraud and securities claims in Denton County, Texas, and fiduciary duty claims in Delaware court
• Major oilfield services company – dismissal of Section 10b-5 claims in the Northern District of Texas, Magruder v. Halliburton Co., 359 F.Supp.3d 452 (N.D. Tex. 2018)
• Major oilfield services company – more than a decade-long defense of securities class action in the Northern District of Texas, the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals and the Supreme Court of the United States, which issued a landmark ruling allowing defendants to challenge applicability of the fraud-on-the-market presumption at the class-certification stage, Halliburton Co. v. Erica P. John Fund, Inc., 134 S. Ct. 2398 (2014)
• Big Four accounting firm – defense of securities class action in the Southern District of New York
• Major accounting firm – defense of securities class action in the Southern District of New York
• Major oilfield services company – defense of securities class action in the Northern District of Texas
• Former CEO of major asset management firm – defense of securities class action in the Southern District of New York
• Large manufacturing company – defense of securities class action in the Northern District of Texas
• Receivership – representation of receiver who was placed in charge of a multi-billion dollar enterprise accused by the SEC of operating a Ponzi investment scheme

Trade Secrets and Data Security

• Defense of $1.5 billion international oil and gas dispute misappropriation for a major Russian-based natural gas company, involving claims of tortious interference and trade secret misappropriation for a major Russian-based natural gas company against a Texas-based independent oil & gas company; case ended in dismissal of all claims after four weeks of trial.
• Software development and sales company – counsel and representation in FTC investigation alleging data security breach and improper disclosure of confidential information
• Consumer products company – granted emergency injunction and eventual favorable jury verdict in suit involving theft of trade secrets by former employees and competitor
• International oil and gas exploration company – representation concerning theft of trade secrets

Professional Liability

• International law firm – defense against motion to disqualify counsel and petition for writ of mandamus
• International law firm – granted dismissal of lawsuit alleging fraud and breach of contract in connection with an arbitration proceeding

Other Complex Commercial Litigation

• Fluor Corporation/Del-Jen, Inc. – defended Del-Jen, Inc., a subsidiary of Fluor Corporation in qui tam false claims act case where court granted Del-Jen’s motion to dismiss for failure to state a claim, affirmed by Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals
• International battery manufacturer – prosecution of complex breach of contract action against governmental entities related to environmental abatement issues
• National tire retailer – counsel in class action against nation's largest tire retailer in the Northern District of California
• Real estate developer – defense of breach of contract related to design of amusement and theme park
• Consumer website – representation in claim for indemnity against software licensor
• Major business outsourcing company – appeal of an unlawful employment termination claim

Recognized as "Up & Coming" for Litigation: Securities in Chambers USA, 2022 & 2023

Named as one of the "Best Lawyers Under 40" in Dallas by D Magazine, 2018

Recognized as a Texas Super Lawyer - Rising Star (Thomson Reuters), 2015 & 2016