Phelps Adds Insurance Attorney To Houston Office

The Texas Lawyer published this article Oct. 7, 2024.

Phelps has welcomed insurance veteran Mark Youngjohn to its Houston office as counsel to help insurers manage risk and limit exposure to resolve complex claims.

"Mark's arrival signifies a notable milestone in our firm's strategic plan to expand our Texas and regional teams in support of growing client needs," said Ivan Rodriguez, managing partner of Phelps' Houston office. "His addition, coupled with our recent additions in Austin, Dallas, Fort Worth and Houston, reinforces our commitment to the region and the industry's emerging markets."

Youngjohn defends insureds against large catastrophic claims. He guides operators, oilfield services companies and energy service providers through lawsuits related to personal injury and property damage at wellheads, production pads, pipelines, construction sites, refineries, and other energy sector operations. Insurers also look to Mark to allocate risk and define indemnification through well-drafted contracts and policies.

He builds litigation strategies to address incidents related to energy production, maritime and oil and gas operations, petrochemical facilities and pipeline projects. His liability defense and large property loss subrogation experience includes resolving a complex maritime negligence case for a leading pipeline operator after an improperly moored semisubmersible drilling rig dredged up gas pipelines and shut in its production platform. He also negotiated a favorable settlement for an offshore operator for property damage and mitigation of damages after a drilling rig's anchor fouled on a natural gas pipeline off the Gulf Coast.