SuzannaBonham
Partner
Commercial Litigation
sbonham@seyfarth.com
Suzanna partners with clients to develop practical approaches and strategies to meet their corporate goals and needs. She provides them with the early assessment necessary to determine whether to fight or resolve an issue.
More About Suzanna
As an experienced litigator and trusted advisor to her clients, Suzanna drills down to the issues at hand no matter the volume of facts, all the while keeping the big picture in mind. She takes the time to know, understand, and give voice to her clients' needs and goals, whether giving guidance to fight or to settle, or how to structure an earn-out agreement.
Commercial clients in health care, energy, construction, real estate, transportation, and many other industries trust Suzanna with high-stakes litigation. They know she will get to the heart of the matter, and handle it in the most practical way, all while meeting their needs and goals. Suzanna truly listens to her clients and delivers on their objectives, working seamlessly with their in-house counsel to handle their employment issues and disputes.
Suzanna recognizes the importance of developing comprehensive corporate litigation strategies in responding to potential claims and controversies. She quickly organizes significant volumes of information, and provides early case assessments for her clients. This helps them gain perspective and understanding of their potential gains or losses. Suzanna then skillfully identifies corporate and personal motivations in disputes, and delivers targeted and valuable early case assessment.
For two decades, Suzanna has handled a wide variety of commercial and personal injury matters. This experience gives her corporate clients a unique perspective into their matters. She understands every potential aspect of her clients' business—contract disputes, mergers and acquisitions, finance, employment, and personal injury. Suzanna has acquired an extensive knowledge in resolving commercial disputes across multiple industries, including healthcare, energy, construction, real estate, and transportation.
Suzanna is passionate about her practice at Seyfarth, where she resolves her clients' matters by advising and guiding them through the obstacles they face.
Commercial clients in health care, energy, construction, real estate, transportation, and many other industries trust Suzanna with high-stakes litigation. They know she will get to the heart of the matter, and handle it in the most practical way, all while meeting their needs and goals. Suzanna truly listens to her clients and delivers on their objectives, working seamlessly with their in-house counsel to handle their employment issues and disputes.
Suzanna recognizes the importance of developing comprehensive corporate litigation strategies in responding to potential claims and controversies. She quickly organizes significant volumes of information, and provides early case assessments for her clients. This helps them gain perspective and understanding of their potential gains or losses. Suzanna then skillfully identifies corporate and personal motivations in disputes, and delivers targeted and valuable early case assessment.
For two decades, Suzanna has handled a wide variety of commercial and personal injury matters. This experience gives her corporate clients a unique perspective into their matters. She understands every potential aspect of her clients' business—contract disputes, mergers and acquisitions, finance, employment, and personal injury. Suzanna has acquired an extensive knowledge in resolving commercial disputes across multiple industries, including healthcare, energy, construction, real estate, and transportation.
Suzanna is passionate about her practice at Seyfarth, where she resolves her clients' matters by advising and guiding them through the obstacles they face.
- JD, South Texas College of Law
- BA, University of Texas, Austin
Spanish
- Texas
Related Services
- Consumer Class Actions
- Commercial Litigation
- Construction & Development Projects
- Employment Litigation
- Trade Secrets, Computer Fraud & Non-Competes
- Class & Collective Actions
- Securities & Fiduciary Duty Litigation
- Construction Claims & Disputes
- Post-Pandemic Recovery & Renewal
- Remote Workforces
- International Dispute Resolution
- Trial
Related Key Industries
Commercial/Business
- Represented shareholders in breach of share purchase agreements involving multimillion-dollar deferred purchase payments and earn-outs from sale of oil and gas service related companies. Settled on very favorable terms.
- Represented company in breach of indemnity and failure to provide insurance arising out of incident involving an explosion of a steam header at a refinery. Obtained multiple successful dispositive motions on various issues. Settlement on favorable terms.
- Represented electric power provider in connection with claims against buyer and parent company arising out of sale of power and loans. Settled on favorable terms with parent company securing payment.
- Represented shareholders in breach of share purchase agreement involving working capital adjustments. Settled on favorable terms.
- Defended Mexican insurance company in multimillion dollar insurance coverage dispute as a result of an airplane crash. Trial on merits with judgment in favor of client.
- Represented originator of a concept in suit involving trade secret and confidentiality agreements against soft drink company and parking company. Settled on favorable terms.
- Defended company in dispute arising out of services agreement related to permitting with FERC for a LNG terminal and associated expert pipeline project, in which damages were sought of approximately $1 million. Settled on favorable terms.
- Defended company in dispute arising out of professional services agreement related to environmental study for LNG terminal. Settled on favorable terms.
- Represented electric power broker in dispute regarding unpaid broker fee commissions and commercial royalties.
Energy/Oil & Gas Litigation
- Defended manufacturer of oil rigs in personal injury case involving claims of exposure to asbestos. Obtained dismissal of claims through summary judgment.
- Defended pipe threading company in personal injury case, in which over 700 plaintiffs claim exposure to NORM/TERM as a result of cleaning oil field pipe.
- Defended owner of facility in personal injury case brought by plaintiffs claiming environmental contamination. Settled on favorable terms.
- Defended natural gas processing plant in personal injury case brought by plaintiffs as a result of a flash fire explosion. Settled favorably immediately prior to trial.
- Defended oil and gas company in class action suit claiming property damage as a result of seismic exploration. Obtained denial of class certification.
- Defended environmental oilfield service company in breach of contract case regarding services provided wherein counterclaims involve mismanagement and overcharges.
- Defended natural gas processing plant in breach of contract case brought by producer claiming misallocation of residue gas and plant products under Gas Gathering, Purchase and Processing Agreement. Obtained partial summary judgment eliminating over $5 million of producer’s claims. Settled following trial on merits.
- Defended natural gas processing plant in breach of contract case brought by interstate pipeline for recovery of over-payments/over-deliveries due to misreporting of custody meter. Obtained favorable settlement.
- Defended rig operator in arbitration against rig contractor regarding IADC (International Association of Drilling Contractors) contract and onshore drilling operations in Marcellus shale formation. Settled on favorable terms.
Health Care Litigation
- Represented health care professional service providers and health care service related entities in various matters, including breach of contract, business tort, employment, and personal injury.
- Represented health care advisory and utilization management review companies in various matters across the US, involving contractual and business tort claims as well as personal injury claims.
- Represented health care practice in physician employment dispute involving return of confidential information with counterclaims including allegations of unpaid compensation and fraudulent concealment.
- Represented health care partnership in disputes involving adverse and nonadverse operative events, including noncompete and confidentiality provisions.
- Defended health care leasing company against hospital claiming tortious interference and defamation. Settled on favorable terms.
- Defended healthcare management company against independent contractor in breach of contract, negligent misrepresentation, fraud, defamation, and business disparagement suit. Settled on favorable terms.
- Represented professional service provider with respect to noncompete agreement.
- Represented healthcare company regarding the employment and resignation of employee involving breach of confidentiality agreement.
Employment
- Defended employers against energy traders arising out of employment agreements regarding wrongful termination, defamation, and failure to pay.
- Represented former employer of seven executives in temporary restraining order involving noncompete claims and trade secret issues. Obtained temporary restraining order and thereafter settled on favorable terms.
- Represented former company with respect to noncompete claims. Claims resolved prior to initiation of suit.
- Defended employer with respect to false imprisonment and personal injury claims by former employees. Settled on favorable terms prior to initiation of suit.
- Represented former employer in breach of noncompete agreement. Settled on favorable terms.
- Defended real estate development company employer against former employee in breach of noncompete agreement. Settled on favorable terms.
- Represented executive against employer arising out of employment agreement and failure to pay. Settled on favorable terms.
- Defended employers in various sexual harassment, hostile work environment and/or discrimination cases in Equal Employment Opportunity (EEOC) proceedings.
- Defended employer in sexual harassment and hostile work environment case in EEOC proceeding. EEOC dismissed in favor of employer.
- Defended employer in discrimination and hostile work environment case in EEOC proceeding. EEOC dismissed in favor of employer.
Personal Injury
- Defended manufacturer of oil rigs in personal injury case involving claims of exposure to asbestos. Obtained dismissal of claims through summary judgment.
- Defended pipe threading company in personal injury case, in which over 700 plaintiffs claim exposure to NORM/TERM as a result of cleaning oil field pipe.
- Defended owner of facility in personal injury case brought by plaintiffs claiming environmental contamination. Settled on favorable terms.
- Defended premises owner and employer of operator in personal injury case involving a front-end loader. Settled on favorable terms.
- Defended natural gas processing plant in personal injury case brought by plaintiffs as a result of a flash fire explosion. Settled favorably immediately prior to trial.
- Represented pipe threading company in personal injury case, in which one plaintiff claimed exposure to NORM/TERM as a result of cleaning oil field pipe. Dismissal obtained in matter.
- Defended bottling company in personal injury slip and fall case brought by plaintiff claiming over $1 million in damages. Take nothing judgment obtained in favor of client after trial on merits.
Product Liability
- Represented chemical manufacturer in various product liability suits. Obtained dismissals.
- Defended pipe distributor in breach of contract suit by supplier involving nonconforming goods. Obtained favorable settlement.
- Represented steel plate distributor in breach of contract suit by purchaser involving nonconforming goods. Favorable settlement obtained.
- Defended manufacturer of fabric in personal injury burn case involving product liability claims. Settled on favorable terms.
Class Action
- Defended claims by purported commercial class challenging late fees charged. Settled on favorable terms.
- Defended claims by purported class alleging property damage. Obtained denial of class certification. Favorable settlement.
- Defended thousands of multiparty plaintiff claims that could not be certified as a class alleging personal injury. Obtained dismissals and favorable settlements.
Construction
- Represented general contractor and facility in various breach of contract matters in arbitrations before the ICC involving change orders and allegations of failure to pay.
- Represented fabricator of pre-engineered metal building and components in breach of contract regarding delivery of materials to multiple project sites.
- Defended fabricator of pre-engineered metal building in multimillion dollar breach of contract suit with counterclaims regarding the construction of a church the size of a football field. Favorable settlement obtained.
- Represented construction company against city arising out of break in sewer line. Favorable settlement obtained.
- Represented commercial builder in breach of contract suit by subcontractor. Favorable settlement obtained.
- Represented various suppliers of construction materials and services in breach of contract cases. Motions for summary judgment granted in favor of clients.
Real Estate
- Represented commercial landlords and commercial brokers and property management companies in various real estate transaction disputes.
- Defended purchaser of real estate in litigation resulting from exercising its right of first refusal.
- Defended real estate agent in real estate transaction suit in which plaintiffs sought damages with respect to their home. Jury verdict and judgment in favor of client.
- Represented commercial landlord in breach of contract suit. Default judgment rendered against defendants. Levied upon bank accounts of defendants in California and recovered full judgment with attorney fees.
- Represented commercial landlord in breach of contract suit. Settled on favorable terms immediately prior to trial.
- Represented commercial broker and property management company against owner of various buildings in real estate transaction dispute. Settled on favorable terms.
Transportation
- Represented logistics and transportation companies in various transportation and warehousing agreements. Favorable settlements obtained.
Admiralty & Maritime
- Defended manufacturer of blow out preventer in product liability suit related to personal injury to offshore worker (leg amputation). Summary judgment and Daubert challenge excluding plaintiff’s expert granted for client.
- Defended platform operator in Jones Act and un-seaworthiness suit involving personal injuries to work boat employee. Settled on favorable terms.
- Defended manufacturer and designer of jack up drilling vessel in suit by owner of vessel arising out of collapse during jacking operations offshore Louisiana. Also represented manufacturer in subsequent dispute with insurer. Favorable settlement obtained.
General Litigation
- Defended chair of religious organization in suit alleging breach of fiduciary duty and public and private nuisance among other claims. Temporary restraining order was denied and building which had been closed for alleged safety problems was reopened.
- Defended insurance agent in negligence and Deceptive Trade Practices Act suit against insured. Summary judgment granted at trial, reversed by Court of Appeals. Settled on favorable terms.
Related News & Insights
-
Firm News
08/15/2024
220 Seyfarth Attorneys Chosen as Leaders in Their Fields by Best Lawyers in America 2025
-
Sponsored Events
April 18 - 19, 2024
Seyfarth to Sponsor 2024 UT Law CLE Health Law Conference
-
Recognition
08/17/2023
210 Seyfarth Attorneys Chosen as Leaders in Their Fields by Best Lawyers in America 2024
-
Case Study
Aug 3, 2022
Damages in Excess of $5 Million in Favor of International Project Owner and Subcontractor at ICC Arbitration
- Listed in Best Lawyers in America (Woodward/White Inc.) for Commercial Litigation (2024-2025)
- Selected to the Texas Super Lawyers Rising Stars list (Thomson Reuters) (2005, 2012-2014)
- AV-Preeminent Rated, Martindale-Hubbell Peer Review Ratings
- Seyfarth Litigation Department Leadership Team
- Houston Litigation Group lead/chair
- Seyfarth Partner Board
"My time working with Suzanna Bonham was too short, but it was long enough for me to see why clients trust her with high-stakes litigation. Suzanna proves you can be tough as nails, sharp as a tack, and easy to work with all at the same time. She takes the time to master the law and facts of each case but keeps her eye on the ball by making sure everything she aligns with the client's goals. On top of that, she is a natural leader and mentor. In a business where it is all about persuasion and being prepared, trust me that you want Suzanna on your side, not against you." —Client feedback
"I have had the opportunity to watch Suzanna Bonham dive into her cases, and it is almost preternatural how she can tell you the testimony of every witness and the content of every document in the file. She sees the bigger picture too, and where those minutiae fit into her client's story. But the truth is there are plenty of lawyers who can handle discovery, and even a fair number who can try a case. The thing that sets Suzanna far apart from this crowded field is the fact that she is a trusted advisor to her clients. Whether it is giving guidance to fight or to settle, or how to structure a deal, she takes the time to know, understand, and give voice to her clients' needs and hopes. The Supreme Court of Texas grants a lawyer a license which admits them to practice as 'attorney' and 'counselor.' Suzanna is one of the few lawyers who is actually both." —Client feedback
Suzanna partners with clients to develop practical approaches and strategies to meet their corporate goals and needs. She provides them with the early assessment necessary to determine whether to fight or resolve an issue.
More About Suzanna
As an experienced litigator and trusted advisor to her clients, Suzanna drills down to the issues at hand no matter the volume of facts, all the while keeping the big picture in mind. She takes the time to know, understand, and give voice to her clients' needs and goals, whether giving guidance to fight or to settle, or how to structure an earn-out agreement.
Commercial clients in health care, energy, construction, real estate, transportation, and many other industries trust Suzanna with high-stakes litigation. They know she will get to the heart of the matter, and handle it in the most practical way, all while meeting their needs and goals. Suzanna truly listens to her clients and delivers on their objectives, working seamlessly with their in-house counsel to handle their employment issues and disputes.
Suzanna recognizes the importance of developing comprehensive corporate litigation strategies in responding to potential claims and controversies. She quickly organizes significant volumes of information, and provides early case assessments for her clients. This helps them gain perspective and understanding of their potential gains or losses. Suzanna then skillfully identifies corporate and personal motivations in disputes, and delivers targeted and valuable early case assessment.
For two decades, Suzanna has handled a wide variety of commercial and personal injury matters. This experience gives her corporate clients a unique perspective into their matters. She understands every potential aspect of her clients' business—contract disputes, mergers and acquisitions, finance, employment, and personal injury. Suzanna has acquired an extensive knowledge in resolving commercial disputes across multiple industries, including healthcare, energy, construction, real estate, and transportation.
Suzanna is passionate about her practice at Seyfarth, where she resolves her clients' matters by advising and guiding them through the obstacles they face.
Commercial clients in health care, energy, construction, real estate, transportation, and many other industries trust Suzanna with high-stakes litigation. They know she will get to the heart of the matter, and handle it in the most practical way, all while meeting their needs and goals. Suzanna truly listens to her clients and delivers on their objectives, working seamlessly with their in-house counsel to handle their employment issues and disputes.
Suzanna recognizes the importance of developing comprehensive corporate litigation strategies in responding to potential claims and controversies. She quickly organizes significant volumes of information, and provides early case assessments for her clients. This helps them gain perspective and understanding of their potential gains or losses. Suzanna then skillfully identifies corporate and personal motivations in disputes, and delivers targeted and valuable early case assessment.
For two decades, Suzanna has handled a wide variety of commercial and personal injury matters. This experience gives her corporate clients a unique perspective into their matters. She understands every potential aspect of her clients' business—contract disputes, mergers and acquisitions, finance, employment, and personal injury. Suzanna has acquired an extensive knowledge in resolving commercial disputes across multiple industries, including healthcare, energy, construction, real estate, and transportation.
Suzanna is passionate about her practice at Seyfarth, where she resolves her clients' matters by advising and guiding them through the obstacles they face.
- JD, South Texas College of Law
- BA, University of Texas, Austin
Spanish
- Texas
Related Services
- Consumer Class Actions
- Commercial Litigation
- Construction & Development Projects
- Employment Litigation
- Trade Secrets, Computer Fraud & Non-Competes
- Class & Collective Actions
- Securities & Fiduciary Duty Litigation
- Construction Claims & Disputes
- Post-Pandemic Recovery & Renewal
- Remote Workforces
- International Dispute Resolution
- Trial
Related Key Industries
Commercial/Business
- Represented shareholders in breach of share purchase agreements involving multimillion-dollar deferred purchase payments and earn-outs from sale of oil and gas service related companies. Settled on very favorable terms.
- Represented company in breach of indemnity and failure to provide insurance arising out of incident involving an explosion of a steam header at a refinery. Obtained multiple successful dispositive motions on various issues. Settlement on favorable terms.
- Represented electric power provider in connection with claims against buyer and parent company arising out of sale of power and loans. Settled on favorable terms with parent company securing payment.
- Represented shareholders in breach of share purchase agreement involving working capital adjustments. Settled on favorable terms.
- Defended Mexican insurance company in multimillion dollar insurance coverage dispute as a result of an airplane crash. Trial on merits with judgment in favor of client.
- Represented originator of a concept in suit involving trade secret and confidentiality agreements against soft drink company and parking company. Settled on favorable terms.
- Defended company in dispute arising out of services agreement related to permitting with FERC for a LNG terminal and associated expert pipeline project, in which damages were sought of approximately $1 million. Settled on favorable terms.
- Defended company in dispute arising out of professional services agreement related to environmental study for LNG terminal. Settled on favorable terms.
- Represented electric power broker in dispute regarding unpaid broker fee commissions and commercial royalties.
Energy/Oil & Gas Litigation
- Defended manufacturer of oil rigs in personal injury case involving claims of exposure to asbestos. Obtained dismissal of claims through summary judgment.
- Defended pipe threading company in personal injury case, in which over 700 plaintiffs claim exposure to NORM/TERM as a result of cleaning oil field pipe.
- Defended owner of facility in personal injury case brought by plaintiffs claiming environmental contamination. Settled on favorable terms.
- Defended natural gas processing plant in personal injury case brought by plaintiffs as a result of a flash fire explosion. Settled favorably immediately prior to trial.
- Defended oil and gas company in class action suit claiming property damage as a result of seismic exploration. Obtained denial of class certification.
- Defended environmental oilfield service company in breach of contract case regarding services provided wherein counterclaims involve mismanagement and overcharges.
- Defended natural gas processing plant in breach of contract case brought by producer claiming misallocation of residue gas and plant products under Gas Gathering, Purchase and Processing Agreement. Obtained partial summary judgment eliminating over $5 million of producer’s claims. Settled following trial on merits.
- Defended natural gas processing plant in breach of contract case brought by interstate pipeline for recovery of over-payments/over-deliveries due to misreporting of custody meter. Obtained favorable settlement.
- Defended rig operator in arbitration against rig contractor regarding IADC (International Association of Drilling Contractors) contract and onshore drilling operations in Marcellus shale formation. Settled on favorable terms.
Health Care Litigation
- Represented health care professional service providers and health care service related entities in various matters, including breach of contract, business tort, employment, and personal injury.
- Represented health care advisory and utilization management review companies in various matters across the US, involving contractual and business tort claims as well as personal injury claims.
- Represented health care practice in physician employment dispute involving return of confidential information with counterclaims including allegations of unpaid compensation and fraudulent concealment.
- Represented health care partnership in disputes involving adverse and nonadverse operative events, including noncompete and confidentiality provisions.
- Defended health care leasing company against hospital claiming tortious interference and defamation. Settled on favorable terms.
- Defended healthcare management company against independent contractor in breach of contract, negligent misrepresentation, fraud, defamation, and business disparagement suit. Settled on favorable terms.
- Represented professional service provider with respect to noncompete agreement.
- Represented healthcare company regarding the employment and resignation of employee involving breach of confidentiality agreement.
Employment
- Defended employers against energy traders arising out of employment agreements regarding wrongful termination, defamation, and failure to pay.
- Represented former employer of seven executives in temporary restraining order involving noncompete claims and trade secret issues. Obtained temporary restraining order and thereafter settled on favorable terms.
- Represented former company with respect to noncompete claims. Claims resolved prior to initiation of suit.
- Defended employer with respect to false imprisonment and personal injury claims by former employees. Settled on favorable terms prior to initiation of suit.
- Represented former employer in breach of noncompete agreement. Settled on favorable terms.
- Defended real estate development company employer against former employee in breach of noncompete agreement. Settled on favorable terms.
- Represented executive against employer arising out of employment agreement and failure to pay. Settled on favorable terms.
- Defended employers in various sexual harassment, hostile work environment and/or discrimination cases in Equal Employment Opportunity (EEOC) proceedings.
- Defended employer in sexual harassment and hostile work environment case in EEOC proceeding. EEOC dismissed in favor of employer.
- Defended employer in discrimination and hostile work environment case in EEOC proceeding. EEOC dismissed in favor of employer.
Personal Injury
- Defended manufacturer of oil rigs in personal injury case involving claims of exposure to asbestos. Obtained dismissal of claims through summary judgment.
- Defended pipe threading company in personal injury case, in which over 700 plaintiffs claim exposure to NORM/TERM as a result of cleaning oil field pipe.
- Defended owner of facility in personal injury case brought by plaintiffs claiming environmental contamination. Settled on favorable terms.
- Defended premises owner and employer of operator in personal injury case involving a front-end loader. Settled on favorable terms.
- Defended natural gas processing plant in personal injury case brought by plaintiffs as a result of a flash fire explosion. Settled favorably immediately prior to trial.
- Represented pipe threading company in personal injury case, in which one plaintiff claimed exposure to NORM/TERM as a result of cleaning oil field pipe. Dismissal obtained in matter.
- Defended bottling company in personal injury slip and fall case brought by plaintiff claiming over $1 million in damages. Take nothing judgment obtained in favor of client after trial on merits.
Product Liability
- Represented chemical manufacturer in various product liability suits. Obtained dismissals.
- Defended pipe distributor in breach of contract suit by supplier involving nonconforming goods. Obtained favorable settlement.
- Represented steel plate distributor in breach of contract suit by purchaser involving nonconforming goods. Favorable settlement obtained.
- Defended manufacturer of fabric in personal injury burn case involving product liability claims. Settled on favorable terms.
Class Action
- Defended claims by purported commercial class challenging late fees charged. Settled on favorable terms.
- Defended claims by purported class alleging property damage. Obtained denial of class certification. Favorable settlement.
- Defended thousands of multiparty plaintiff claims that could not be certified as a class alleging personal injury. Obtained dismissals and favorable settlements.
Construction
- Represented general contractor and facility in various breach of contract matters in arbitrations before the ICC involving change orders and allegations of failure to pay.
- Represented fabricator of pre-engineered metal building and components in breach of contract regarding delivery of materials to multiple project sites.
- Defended fabricator of pre-engineered metal building in multimillion dollar breach of contract suit with counterclaims regarding the construction of a church the size of a football field. Favorable settlement obtained.
- Represented construction company against city arising out of break in sewer line. Favorable settlement obtained.
- Represented commercial builder in breach of contract suit by subcontractor. Favorable settlement obtained.
- Represented various suppliers of construction materials and services in breach of contract cases. Motions for summary judgment granted in favor of clients.
Real Estate
- Represented commercial landlords and commercial brokers and property management companies in various real estate transaction disputes.
- Defended purchaser of real estate in litigation resulting from exercising its right of first refusal.
- Defended real estate agent in real estate transaction suit in which plaintiffs sought damages with respect to their home. Jury verdict and judgment in favor of client.
- Represented commercial landlord in breach of contract suit. Default judgment rendered against defendants. Levied upon bank accounts of defendants in California and recovered full judgment with attorney fees.
- Represented commercial landlord in breach of contract suit. Settled on favorable terms immediately prior to trial.
- Represented commercial broker and property management company against owner of various buildings in real estate transaction dispute. Settled on favorable terms.
Transportation
- Represented logistics and transportation companies in various transportation and warehousing agreements. Favorable settlements obtained.
Admiralty & Maritime
- Defended manufacturer of blow out preventer in product liability suit related to personal injury to offshore worker (leg amputation). Summary judgment and Daubert challenge excluding plaintiff’s expert granted for client.
- Defended platform operator in Jones Act and un-seaworthiness suit involving personal injuries to work boat employee. Settled on favorable terms.
- Defended manufacturer and designer of jack up drilling vessel in suit by owner of vessel arising out of collapse during jacking operations offshore Louisiana. Also represented manufacturer in subsequent dispute with insurer. Favorable settlement obtained.
General Litigation
- Defended chair of religious organization in suit alleging breach of fiduciary duty and public and private nuisance among other claims. Temporary restraining order was denied and building which had been closed for alleged safety problems was reopened.
- Defended insurance agent in negligence and Deceptive Trade Practices Act suit against insured. Summary judgment granted at trial, reversed by Court of Appeals. Settled on favorable terms.
Related News & Insights
-
Firm News
08/15/2024
220 Seyfarth Attorneys Chosen as Leaders in Their Fields by Best Lawyers in America 2025
-
Sponsored Events
April 18 - 19, 2024
Seyfarth to Sponsor 2024 UT Law CLE Health Law Conference
-
Recognition
08/17/2023
210 Seyfarth Attorneys Chosen as Leaders in Their Fields by Best Lawyers in America 2024
-
Case Study
Aug 3, 2022
Damages in Excess of $5 Million in Favor of International Project Owner and Subcontractor at ICC Arbitration
- Listed in Best Lawyers in America (Woodward/White Inc.) for Commercial Litigation (2024-2025)
- Selected to the Texas Super Lawyers Rising Stars list (Thomson Reuters) (2005, 2012-2014)
- AV-Preeminent Rated, Martindale-Hubbell Peer Review Ratings
- Seyfarth Litigation Department Leadership Team
- Houston Litigation Group lead/chair
- Seyfarth Partner Board
"My time working with Suzanna Bonham was too short, but it was long enough for me to see why clients trust her with high-stakes litigation. Suzanna proves you can be tough as nails, sharp as a tack, and easy to work with all at the same time. She takes the time to master the law and facts of each case but keeps her eye on the ball by making sure everything she aligns with the client's goals. On top of that, she is a natural leader and mentor. In a business where it is all about persuasion and being prepared, trust me that you want Suzanna on your side, not against you." —Client feedback
"I have had the opportunity to watch Suzanna Bonham dive into her cases, and it is almost preternatural how she can tell you the testimony of every witness and the content of every document in the file. She sees the bigger picture too, and where those minutiae fit into her client's story. But the truth is there are plenty of lawyers who can handle discovery, and even a fair number who can try a case. The thing that sets Suzanna far apart from this crowded field is the fact that she is a trusted advisor to her clients. Whether it is giving guidance to fight or to settle, or how to structure a deal, she takes the time to know, understand, and give voice to her clients' needs and hopes. The Supreme Court of Texas grants a lawyer a license which admits them to practice as 'attorney' and 'counselor.' Suzanna is one of the few lawyers who is actually both." —Client feedback