Joseph W. Buoni

He represents clients across many industries, but his practice focuses on the representation of energy companies, financial institutions and private equity funds, including their portfolio companies.

Joe’s dual practice, which includes extensive experience litigating complex commercial and energy-related cases as well as representing debtors and creditors with bankruptcy proceedings, allows him to both navigate contested matters and adversary proceedings that arise during bankruptcy and address potential insolvency and collection issues that commonly arise in the federal and state court lawsuits he handles.

In his litigation practice, Joe regularly counsels his clients in cases involving claims for breach of contract, fraud, fraudulent transfer, breach of fiduciary duty and theft of trade secrets, among other causes of action. In the area of bankruptcy, he advises energy companies and financial institutions in pre-bankruptcy planning matters and throughout bankruptcy proceedings. In particular, Joe frequently advises midstream companies on dealings with financially distressed E&P counterparties to various midstream agreements, including gathering agreements, TSAs, and purchase and buy/sell agreements concerning crude oil, natural gas and NGLs. He provides his clients with pre-bankruptcy strategies aimed to improve their recovery in the event of a counterparty bankruptcy and stands ready to represent them as creditors of E&P companies in chapter 11 bankruptcy cases (e.g., preserving lien rights post-petition, negotiating contract assumption issues, and litigating rejection damages claims based on MVC obligations).

Prior to entering private practice, Joe completed two federal clerkships over the course of three years. From 2011 to 2012, Joe was a Law Clerk to the Honorable Jennifer Walker Elrod of the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit. Joe served as a Law Clerk to the Honorable Marvin Isgur of the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Texas from 2009 to 2011.

He is an active member of the community and participates as a member of both the United Way’s Law Initiative Steering Committee and the United Way’s Leadership Circle. Joe is also passionate about pro bono opportunities and provides representation through the Houston Volunteer Lawyers and Kids In Need of Defense (KIND) programs. Joe is also a leader and advocate of the firm’s efforts to support the Houston Association of Women Attorneys (AWA) Foundation as a Charter Sponsor.