Gruber Hurst Elrod Johansen Hail Shank Adds Two Proven Attorneys in Dallas

The Dallas-based law firm Gruber Hurst Elrod Johansen Hail Shank LLP, one of the largest litigation-focused boutique practices in Texas, has added two high-profile attorneys as partners.

“Samuel M. Stricklin and Tricia R. DeLeon together offer more than 40 years of combined legal experience, enhancing the firm’s growing practice representing bankruptcy plan trustees and others in major bankruptcy litigation,” the firm said in a release. “Ms. DeLeon and Mr. Stricklin previously were partners in the Dallas office of Bracewell & Giuliani.”

“Tricia and Sam each offer a diverse and impressive record of success in courtrooms throughout Texas and across the nation,” says firm name partner Mark Johansen. “Their collective accomplishments, commitment to effective client service, and history of professional and community involvement reflect the values and qualities of our firm. We’re delighted they made the decision to join us.”

Sam Stricklin

Stricklin has served as lead trial attorney in a wide range of business bankruptcy and litigation matters during the past 25 years, representing debtors, trustees, creditor committees and individual creditors in negotiations and contested hearings. Board Certified in Business Bankruptcy Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization, Stricklin earned his law degree from the University of Houston Law Center in 1987 and his undergraduate degree from Texas A&M University in 1984.

Tricia DeLeon

DeLeon has tried numerous jury trials in state and federal courts, focusing her practice on complex commercial litigation in financial, banking and securities matters, as well as director and officer insurance disputes, commercial bankruptcies and class-action defense. Active in a number of legal and civic organizations, DeLeon earned her law degree from Southern Methodist University’s Dedman School of Law in 1999 after securing her undergraduate degree, with honors, from DePauw University in 1996. She also served as a briefing attorney for the Hon. James A. Baker at the Texas Supreme Court during the 1999-2000 session.

In its release, Gruber Hurst Elrod Johansen Hail Shank LLP said the firm represents clients in complex commercial litigation in Texas and across the nation. “The firm’s experience includes litigation involving energy, contract disputes, pipeline construction, partnership dissolutions, fiduciary matters, labor and employment, securities and shareholder disputes, intellectual property, bankruptcy and other business and commercial cases. Clients include leading companies and individuals as both defendants and plaintiffs across a broad range of industries,” the release continues.