BG Defeats $900M Lawsuit and Obtains $2.9M Attorney’s Fees Award as a Result

Pursuant to a ruling from the Appellate Court of Illinois, Bailey Glasser has successfully represented our client Williamson Energy in defeating a $900 million lawsuit and obtaining the award of $2.9 million in attorney’s fees as a result.

In 2014, based on ancient deeds conveying mineral rights in Illinois, the Mitchell-Roberts Partnership sued Williamson Energy for $900 million. On Williamson Energy’s behalf, Bailey Glasser secured summary judgment on that claim—a complete win for the defense—in 2019, and the appellate court affirmed shortly thereafter. Bailey Glasser then pressed Williamson Energy’s counterclaim. As it turned out, in signed mitigation agreements, the Partnership had expressly waived and released the very claims it brought against Williamson Energy several years before it filed suit. The mitigation agreements also contained attorney fee provisions awarding fees to the prevailing party in the event of such a lawsuit.

Accordingly, under the contracts, the Partnership was on the hook for all of Williamson Energy’s attorney’s fees. The trial court agreed. And, yesterday, the appellate court affirmed an award of $2.9 million in fees. All told, the Partnership that sued Williamson Energy for $900 million will have to pay it $2.9 million instead.

Bailey Glasser attorneys Brian Glasser, Nick Johnson, Jeffrey Baron, and Joshua Hammack represented the defendants. Joshua Hammack drafted the appellate briefs and argued the appeals before the Appellate Court. Charles Little participated in this case as an investigator and Pat Wilson and Christy Satterfield provided valuable paralegal expertise.

Learn more about the case and read the opinion at this link.