About Pierce & O'Neill LLP
We Are Trial and Appellate LawyersYou cannot make up trial and appellate experience. You must have undergone it.Mr. Pierce and Mr. O’Neill each have more than 50 years of experience in the trial and appeal of high stakes civil litigation for commercial and energy industry clients. Although most often retained at the outset of a matter, the firm is frequently asked to substitute as trial counsel, or to step in as appellate counsel. Clients, other attorneys, and companies widely regard the firm as the first choice for significant, complex litigation. The firm has repeatedly been recognized as one of the nation’s top law firms by Best Lawyers®, and a “Go-To Law Firm” by in-house law departments at Fortune 500® companies.Mr. Pierce and Mr. O’Neill are members of the American Board of Trial Advocates. Both have been recognized by Chambers USA, named to Lawdragon®'s 500 Leading Litigators in America, included in Best Lawyers® as leading practitioners in multiple practices, selected for Texas Super Lawyers®, and earned AV Preeminent ratings from Martindale-Hubbell®.Preeminent in Complex Business and Energy Litigation and AppealsWe are a litigation “boutique” with a single focus — the devoted and accomplished representation of our clients. There are major differences between trial lawyers, on the one hand, and “litigators” who primarily engage in discovery and motion practice, on the other hand. We are a firm of accomplished trial and appellate lawyers. We excel at litigation and appeal.Our reputation is built on experience and results that exceed expectations. The pursuit of our clients’ best interests is accompanied by a spirit of cooperation in the lawyer-client relationship. We undertake substantial matters on a regular basis for both new and existing clients and place significant value on our client relationships, many of which span decades.Practice AreasComplex Commercial LitigationEnergy & Natural Resources LitigationAppealsTrademark, Trade Secret & Non-Compete LitigationClass Action DefenseEnvironmental & Toxic TortsBankruptcy LitigationAdmiralty & Maritime LitigationAlternative Dispute Resolution
Office Locations
Awards & Recognition
Featured Awards
THE BEST LAWYERS IN AMERICA® AWARDS: 4
BEST LAW FIRMS® AWARDS: 7
All Awards
- Best Law Firms 2025. Ranked Tier 1 nationally in Natural Resources and Oil & Gas Law. Ranked Tier 1 in the Houston area in Commercial Litigation, Natural Resources, and Oil & Gas Law. Also ranked in Admiralty & Maritime Law and Appeals.
- The Best Lawyers in America 2025 has recognized Jesse Pierce and Jack O'Neill for their work in commercial litigation, natural resources law and oil and gas law. Mr. O’Neill earned additional honors in the area of appellate practice.
- The Best Lawyers in America 2025 has recognized Mary P. Livingstone for her work in commercial litigation and John Schwambach for his admiralty and maritime work.
- Both name partners of Pierce & O'Neill, LLP have earned recognition in the 2024 edition of Chambers USA, a coveted legal guide that is considered to be the most prominent in the industry.
- Houston-based trial and appellate firm Pierce & O’Neill, LLP, has earned placement for a third consecutive year in the Chambers USA Regional Spotlight Texas for its work in dispute resolution and energy litigation,
- Pierce & O’Neill, LLP, is pleased to announce that both name partners have been listed among the nation’s top attorneys in the 2024 and 2025 editions of Lawdragon’s 500 Leading Lawyers in America.
- Best Law Firms has again named Houston-based Pierce & O’Neill among the leading appellate, commercial litigation and energy law firms in the nation in 2024-2025.
- The 2023 edition of Texas Super Lawyers honors Jesse Pierce for excellence in business litigation for the 21st consecutive year.
- Pierce & O’Neill partners have earned placement on the 2024 edition of The Best Lawyers in America for excellence in natural resources, oil and gas law, commercial litigation and appellate practice.
- Both Jesse Pierce and Jack O’Neill were recognized among the “all-star litigators” vetted by Lawdragon® in its 500 Leading Litigators in America Guide for 2023.
- Pierce O’Neill was recognized in the 2023 Chambers Regional Spotlight for its dispute resolution.
- Jesse Pierce is honored by Chambers USA for his work in commercial litigation and received Band 1 rankings – the highest honor – for his oil and gas expertise. The 2023 edition marks his 15th consecutive selection.
- Best Lawyers in America recognizes Jesse Pierce for natural resources, oil and gas law, as well as commercial litigation. Jack O'Neill is also recognized in oil and gas and commercial litigation.
- Global Law Experts - Law Firm of the Year for Natural Resources
- "Go to Law Firm" of Fortune 500 - Litigation
- Corporate INTL Law Firm of the Year for Natural Resources
- "Go to Law Firm" of Fortune 500 - Litigation