Denise was raised in the Midwest, becoming a Texan as a middle schooler in 1979 when her family moved to Plano. She graduated from Plano Senior High School and went on to Vanderbilt University where she met her husband, John, a native Houstonian. Denise and John attended law school together at SMU and moved to Houston to begin their practices in 1992. Denise began at Bracewell & Patterson and credits the firm’s commitment to the community and encouragement of civic involvement for her longtime service to the bar and pro bono representation. Now with Winston & Strawn, she leads the litigation group in Houston and focuses on energy-related disputes and crisis management, working out of the firm’s Houston and Dallas offices. Denise is immeasurably proud and grateful to have had the opportunity to be a Texas lawyer for more than 30 years.
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Listed, The Best Lawyers in America®, Litigation – Environmental, 2022–2024
Listed, The Best Lawyers in America®, Oil and Gas Law, 2022–2024
Listed, The Best Lawyers in America®, Commercial Litigation, 2023–2024
Listed, The Best Lawyers in America®, Mass Tort Litigation/Class Actions – Defendants, 2023–2024
Listed, The Best Lawyers in America®, Personal Injury Litigation – Defendants, 2023–2024
“Leading Lawyer,” The Legal 500 US, General Commercial Disputes, 2021–2023
“Key Lawyer,” The Legal 500 US, Product Liability, Mass Tort, and Class Action – Defense: Toxic Tort, 2021–2023
“Key Lawyer,” The Legal 500 US, Energy Litigation: Oil and Gas, 2021, 2023
Listed, Lawdragon; “500 Leading Litigators in America” for Commercial Litigation, Mass Tort, and Toxic Torts; 2024
Listed, Lawdragon, “500 Leading Environmental Lawyers,” 2023
Listed, Lawdragon, “500 Leading Energy Lawyers,” 2023
Named “Best Mentor” by Texas Lawyer’s Texas Legal Awards, 2022
Listed, Lawdragon, “500 Leading Environmental and Energy Lawyers,” 2021
Listed, Texas Super Lawyers (2005, 2007–2018)
Listed, “Rising Stars,” Texas Super Lawyers (2004–2005)
“Outstanding Young Lawyer of Texas,” 2003
“Outstanding Young Lawyer of Houston,” 2003
“Five Outstanding Young Texans,” Texas Jaycees, 2004
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-Texas Access to Justice Foundation, Director
-Houston Urban Debate League, Director
-Texas Bar Foundation Nominating Committee, Member
-State Bar of Texas, Past Director
-State Bar of Texas, Past Annual Meeting Co-Chair
-Houston Bar Association, Past President
-Houston Bar Foundation, Past Chair
-Dispute Resolution Center, Past Chair
-Houston Lawyer Referral Service, Past Chair
-Houston Volunteer Lawyers Program, Past Chair
-Houston Young Lawyers Association, Past President
-Houston Young Lawyers Foundation, Past Chair
-State Bar of Texas Advanced Civil Trial Course, Past Course Director
-Lone Star Legal Aid, Past Director
-Aspiring Youth Foundation, Past Director
-Leadership Houston Class XVI
Denise’s husband, John, has an active plaintiff practice at Caddell & Chapman with extensive experience representing families who have suffered catastrophic injuries, as well as experience with significant commercial and class action disputes.
They have three children, Ellen, Mary Caroline, and Jack. Ellen is entering her seventh year with Southwest Airlines in Dallas, Mary Caroline is in her fourth year at Jefferies in Houston, and Jack just began his career at Goldman Sachs in Houston.