Tony Buzbee

Tony Buzbee
Tony Buzbee
Alma mater	Texas A&M University (B.S.) University of Houston Law Center (J.D.)
Occupation	Attorney
Spouse(s)	Zoe Buzbee
Website	http://www.txattorneys.com

Tony Buzbee is an American trial lawyer who has been involved in multiple high-profile cases. In 2014 it was announced that Buzbee would be lead counsel for Governor Rick Perry of Texas after he was indicted on two felony counts which were later dismissed in 2016.^[1][2] In 2009, Buzbee won the largest jury verdict against British Petroleum (BP) in history.^[3] Buzbee is the managing partner of the Buzbee Law Firm in Houston, Texas. Buzbee has obtained more than $1 billion in judgments and verdicts. On November 2, 2015, Buzbee was awarded Attorney Of The Year by Texas Lawyer Magazine.^[4]

Buzbee has represented multiple, noted Americans, including respected horse trainer Bob Baffert and recording artist and business man Jimmy Buffett.^[5] Buzbee has represented multiple governmental entities, including the State of Louisiana, and the Basque Government in the Kingdom of Spain.

Early life and education

Born to parents who worked as a butcher and a high school cafeteria worker, Buzbee grew up in Atlanta, Texas.

Buzbee earned a B.S. in Psychology from Texas A&M University. He served as a Battalion Commander in the Corps of Cadets and was named a Distinguished Naval Graduate, Distinguished Student, Outstanding NROTC Senior, and Outstanding Commander in the Corps of Cadets.^[6]

Buzbee served as a Marine Corps infantry officer in the Persian Gulf and Somalia. As a Captain, Buzbee commanded the Recon Company of the First Marine Regiment. Buzbee was awarded the Navy Commendation Medal.^[7]

Buzbee graduated summa cum laude from the University of Houston Law Center. He finished second in his class. Buzbee was the Managing Editor of the Houston Law Review and was the Class Captain. Buzbee was both the Texas and Regional Mock Trial Champion in 1996.^[8]

Professional history

He was a briefing attorney for Judge Samuel B. Kent, U.S. District Court, Southern District of Texas and then began his legal career as an attorney at Susman Godfrey LLP in Houston. Buzbee founded his own law firm in 2000.^[9]

Notable cases

2012

• Buzbee filed suit on behalf of ten boys against famed Cadillac Ranch creater and owner Stanley Marsh 3.^[10][11] After much media attention, a special prosecutor was appointed and Marsh was arrested. Marsh was later indicted on twelve counts.^[12] Less than six months after the cases were filed, Buzbee and Marsh’s attorneys announced a settlement.^[13][14] The statement given at the time of settlement read as follows: “The Plaintiffs and the Marsh entities in this case, to include Gwendolyn Marsh as Guardian for Stanley Marsh 3, have resolved all of their differences. None of the Parties is authorized to comment on the nature or amount of the settlement. The Parties agree that Stanley Marsh 3 does not own the Cadillac Ranch. The Parties will have no further comment.”^[15]
• Buzbee, along with Oakland attorney John Burris, filed suit on behalf of more than ten thousand Richmond, California residents against Chevron for a fire that allegedly sent thousands to the hospital to be treated for smoke inhalation.^[16][17][18]

2010/2011

• In 2011 Buzbee was retained by the Friendswood, Texas family of Craig Salerno, who was killed when a modified competition plane crashed into spectators at the Reno Air Races. Buzbee, who represented 18 individuals killed or injured at the incident, later questioned the safety of the air races. Buzbee filed the first Air Races lawsuit in the United States. Buzbee was instrumental in setting up a claims resolution facility currently being administered by Kenneth Feinberg.^[19][20]
• Also that year, former University of Pittsburgh football coach Michael Haywood, retained Buzbee following his dismissal from the position. Buzbee initially requested a university investigation of the firing and then sued, alleging breach of contract, among other claims. The university countersued the coach early in 2012.^[21][22]
• In 2010, Buzbee’s clients were part of a $190 million settlement involving about 2,400 property owner claims against the Texas Windstorm Insurance Association related to Hurricane Ike which struck the Texas coast in 2008. Buzbee served as class counsel in the case.^[23][24]
• Also that year, Buzbee obtained the largest verdict for workplace negligence in Texas--$30 million.

2006

• Buzbee obtained the first verdict, $16.6 million, against Ford Motor Company challenging the stability of the Ford Explorer.^[25]

2001

• Buzbee filed an antitrust suit on behalf of a class of offshore workers who claimed that their wages were suppressed. The case settled for $75 million.^[26]

Cases against BP

• In 2009, a federal jury in Galveston awarded $100 million to ten Buzbee clients who alleged toxic exposure related to a chemical discharge at the BP Texas City plant. The record verdict later was overturned, and Buzbee said BP had won a “free pass” to commit “gross negligence.” This is the largest verdict ever recorded against BP.^[27]
• In a related 2010 case, Buzbee filed suit on behalf of residents from Texas City, Texas and LaMarque, Texas related to an emission event that occurred at the same BP Texas City refinery. It has been reported that Buzbee now represents more than 47,000 people in the lawsuit = currently on file in Galveston, Texas.^[28][29][30] Buzbee is the appointed Liaison Counsel.
• Buzbee said clients’ settlements related to the 2010 BP Deepwater Horizon rig explosion and oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico exceeded $150 million. Buzbee represented 19 rig workers, the last of whom settled her injury claims 22 months after the accident. In 2011, Buzbee alleged that rig managers were aware of serious problems before the explosion and that Transocean forced rig workers to sign statements before they were rescued. Buzbee questioned company claims about safety test records lost when the rig went down. Buzbee currently represents thousands of claimants, including hotel and resort owners and fishermen, who allege spill-related property damage and lost revenue.^[31][32]
• Buzbee represented more than 150 people with personal injury or property damage claims related to the March 2005 explosion at the BP Texas City refinery which killed 15 workers and injured at least 170 others. In October 2006, Buzbee reached agreements to settle 114 BP cases. Days before, Buzbee had sought and received a court ordering the deposition testimony of former BP chairman Lord John Browne. It has been reported that the settlement total exceeded $250 million.

Recognition

In 2002, the legal publication Texas Lawyer named Buzbee as a Top 5 “Go To” Lawyer for Commercial Litigation in the State of Texas. He has been selected multiple times as a Texas “Super Lawyer” by Thomson Reuters (2004, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014).^[33]

Buzbee appeared on the cover of The New York Times magazine in November 2010 regarding his role in the litigation against BP following the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill in the Gulf of Mexico. The article described Buzbee as "one of the most successful trial lawyers in the country." ^[34] Buzbee appeared again in The New York Times in March 2013 after his appointment to the Texas A&M University System Board of Regents, this time the magazine referred to Buzbee as a "big, mean, ambitious, tenacious, fire-breathing Texas trial lawyer." ^[35]

In May 2013, Texas Monthly profiled Buzbee for his role in the sexual abuse case against wealthy philanthropist, Stanley Marsh, stating, "Buzbee has made his reputation going after corporations, and he usually wins big." ^[36]

In November 2015, Buzbee was awarded Attorney Of The Year by Texas Lawyer Magazine.^[37]

Philanthropy

Buzbee is active in several Houston-area charities. In addition to previously serving on the Board of Directors at the Jesse Tree charity,^[38] he has also given support to the Star of Hope Mission for the Homeless,^[39] Meals on Wheels,^[40] the Friendswood Methodist Church,^[41] and others.^[42][43]

Buzbee donated $1 Million to the Friendswood Methodist Church.

In 2012, Buzbee donated $3 Million to the Texas A&M Foundation. The Buzbee Leadership Learning Center, the first construction on the quad in 73 years, is named in his honor.^[44]

In April 2014 Buzbee donated $1 Million to establish the first ever endowed faculty chair at the new Texas A&M University School of Law. It will be called the Anthony G. Buzbee Dean’s Endowed Chair and the incoming dean will use the funds to invest for things such as hiring new faculty and expanding academic programs.^[45]

In July 2014 Buzbee contributed $3 million and agreed to an annual contribution of $100,000 to the 12th Man Foundation at Texas A&M. The donation will help support Aggies Athletics and give Buzbee access to the West Legacy Suite at the recently renovated Kyle Field.^[46]

Community service

Buzbee is partial owner and serves on the Board of Directors of Galveston's Hometown Bank.^[47] He also has served on the Board of Visitors of Texas A&M Galveston, and The Bay Area Council of the Boy Scouts of America.^[48]

In March 2013, Governor Rick Perry appointed Buzbee to the Texas A&M University System Board of Regents. He was appointed along with fellow Houston attorney Charles Schwartz and re-appointee Morris Foster. His term expires February 1, 2019.^[49]

Business interests

Buzbee is also a property developer,^[50] working to revitalize historic downtown Friendswood. He owns Buzbee Properties, a residential and commercial real estate firm focused on the south Texas communities of Friendswood, Pearland, Alvin, Webster, Pasadena, Clear Lake, League City, Kemah and Seabrook. Buzbee also owns various retail entities, commercial buildings, and several hotels in Florida.^[51]

Politics

Buzbee has supported Democratic and Republican politicians at the local, state and federal levels.

In 2012, Buzbee supported Republican Texas Governor Rick Perry’s presidential campaign with financial support and the use of his private jet. Buzbee also served as one of Perry’s debate coaches.^[52][53]

That same year, Buzbee served as debate coach to Lieutenant Governor David Dewhurst in his unsuccessful run for the United States Senate.

References