“Samantha is a founding member of the firm with a broad background in resolving insurance coverage problems under energy, property, and liability policies.”
– Chambers USA
RECOGNITION
US News & World Reports Best Lawyers in Insurance Law, 2015 – 2021
Thomson Reuters: Super Lawyers in Insurance Law, 2015 – 2020
Thomson Reuters: Super Lawyers Rising Star, 2006, 2008 – 2015
Chambers USA: America’s Leading Lawyers for Business in Insurance Law, 2010-2016
Texas Super Lawyers is a service of Thomson Reuters
US News & World Reports Best Lawyers is an annual referral guide from Woodward White, Inc.
EDUCATION
University of St. Thomas, Houston, Texas, 1997, B.S., cum laude
LICENSURE AND BAR ADMISSIONS
Admitted to United States District Court, Southern, Northern, and Eastern Districts of Texas
Admitted to United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit
Samantha Trahan
Direct: 713-208-5136 Email: strahan@tkpllp.com
Samantha Trahan helps companies manage risk.
Samantha counsels clients on ways to enhance their contracting practices and existing insurance programs. These steps are taken to minimize risks, but when accidents happen or contracting parties disagree, Samantha manages all aspects of the resulting litigation. With nearly two decades of experience, she handles any type of dispute, but focuses on insurance and contract issues.
Insurance
On the business side, Samantha evaluates general liability, property, professional liability, energy, and other policies to confirm coverage is available for potential risks. After losses occur, she prepares coverage opinions, manages claims, and litigates disputed coverage issues. Samantha has helped policyholders through losses from hurricanes, fires, long-tail asbestos exposure, down-hole well problems, and more.
Contracts
Samantha helps clients negotiate MSAs and job-specific contracts. She also provides client-focused training on indemnity and insurance issues to strengthen in-house contracting practices. Samantha has resolved third-party beneficiary claims, contractual indemnity pass-through actions, challenges to agreements under state anti-indemnity acts, and complex choice of law arguments.
PRESENTATIONS & PAPERS
INSURANCE
Discovery and Mediation – Insurance Law Seminar; How to Try an Insurance Coverage Case, 2019
Ethical Issues when Insurers Won’t Fund the Defense – UT Admiralty and Maritime Seminar, 2018
Holding the Unfaithful Insurer Accountable – South Texas Insurance Law Seminar, 2018
Current Insurance and Indemnity Issues – Gardere Oilfield Services panel discussion, 2015.
So Your Platform Disappeared in the Hurricane – University of Texas Admiralty and Maritime Law Conference, 2008.
The Business of Risk: How to Get the Most out of Your Insurance Policies – Houston and Dallas, 2006.
Maximizing Insurance Coverage for Pre-Suit Settlements of Construction Defect Claims – Published in Special Construction Coverage Issue of the Journal of Texas Insurance Law, 2004.
LITIGATION
Indemnity issues in the oil and gas industry – PETEX “Rig School,” 2008–2012.
Indemnity Agreements, Old Issues/New Cases – University of Texas Admiralty and Maritime Law Conference, 2009.
Contractual Limitations in Oilfield Agreements (a comparison of US and UK law) – Houston, 2007.
Beyond Validity – The Expansion and Erosion of Indemnity Agreements – Gardere Evolving Issues in the Oilfield Service Industry Seminar, November 16, 2005.
GENERAL
Effective Goal Setting – Presentation to corporate Women’s Guild, November 2014.
Ethical Rules Applied to Contracts and Settlement Negotiations – Association of Corporate Counsel, Houston Chapter, November 2012.