John Anaipakos is a first-chair trial lawyer with years of experience representing major corporations and their executives in high-stakes commercial litigation. He has represented clients across a wide variety of industries, including oil and gas, utilities, power generation, and retail. John serves as co-chair of O’Melveny’s Energy Litigation Practice.
Dedicated to successfully representing his clients, John has been consistently recognized in Chambers USA since 2007. Clients describe him as an “excellent lawyer” and “one of the first people that comes to mind on bet-the-company litigation.” John has also been included on The Best Lawyers in America list since 2013. John has tried dozens of cases to juries, including complex business disputes, oil and gas, wrongful death, catastrophic injury, professional liability, and employment. He has also tried numerous cases before administrative tribunals and arbitration panels and argued appeals to the US Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit, the Supreme Court of Texas, and intermediate state appellate courts.
Before joining O’Melveny, John was a partner at an international, full-service law firm, where he served as head of litigation for the Houston office.
Oil & Gas
- Representation of owner of LNG project in billion-dollar lawsuit filed by lead construction contractor
- Representation of energy company in dispute over decommissioning obligations in Gulf of Mexico
- Representation of leading integrated energy company in joint operating agreement dispute
- Representation of midstream company in eminent domain litigation over value of land upon which gas processing plant is located
- Representation of integrated oil and gas company in False Claims Act litigation involving alleged underpayment of federal royalties
- Representation of exploration company in dispute over preferential rights to purchase offshore oil and gas interests
- Representation of oil field service company in disputes relating to hydraulic fracturing services
- Representation of operators and service companies in litigation arising from oilfield fatalities
Power & Utilities
- Representation of power generator in Multi-District Litigation arising from Winter Storm Uri
- Representation of electric utility in dispute over alleged breach of coal supply agreement
- Representation of leading power generator in disputes with oil and gas company seeking to drill multiple gas wells on its property
- Representation of electric utility in lawsuit brought by City of Houston over street lighting rates and services
- Representation of electric utility in business interruption cases brought by large industrial customers
- Representation of electric and gas utilities in catastrophic injury/death cases and major property loss matters
- Representation of utility holding company in administrative challenge to denial of Retiree Drug Subsidy
- Representation of electric utility in lawsuit brought by property owners over installation of wireless communication equipment
Energy Marketing
- Representation of major natural gas company in lawsuit by bankrupt gas marketer alleging breach of a joint venture agreement
- Representation of major natural gas company in lawsuit brought by producers and gas marketer after gas marketer ceased operations
- Representation of major natural gas company in lawsuit brought by investors in bankrupt gas marketer alleging fraud
Consumer & Retail Products
- Representation of home improvement retailer in wrongful death litigation arising from collision with commercial vehicle
- Representation of Fortune 50 retailer in covenant not to compete and tortious interference litigation
- Representation of home improvement company in litigation arising from alleged propane gas explosion
- Representation of national retailer in litigation brought by real estate developer over alleged breach of agreement to enter into lease
Professional Liability
- Representation of major accounting firm in tax malpractice case brought by energy companies and their principals
- Representation of major accounting firm in lawsuit brought by 41 investors and customers of a failed offshore brokerage firm
Complex Commercial Litigation
- Representation of leading transportation company in business interruption dispute with processing plant owner
- Representation of Canadian oil and gas company in lawsuit brought by former minority shareholder alleging fraud
- Representation of metal processor in arbitration against former officer claiming breach of contract and wrongful termination
- Representation of technology company in lawsuit brought by former CFO alleging breach of contract and wrongful termination
Languages
- Spanish
Admissions
Bar Admissions
- Texas
Court Admissions
- US Court of Appeals, Fifth Circuit
- US District Court, Northern, Southern, Eastern, and Western Districts of Texas
Education
- Harvard Law School, J.D., 1993, cum laude: Editor, Harvard Law Review; Teaching Fellow, Harvard Department of Economics
- Trinity University, B.A., Economics, 1990, summa cum laude: Phi Beta Kappa, Truman Scholar
Honors & Awards
- Recognized by Best Lawyers in America for Commercial Litigation in Houston, TX (2013-2025)
- Recognized by Chambers USA for General Commercial Litigation (2007-2024)
- Named a “Leading Lawyer” by The Legal 500 US for Energy Litigation: Electric Power (2024)
- Recognized by The Legal 500 US for Energy Litigation: Electric Power (2023)
- Recognized by Thomson Reuters as a Texas Super Lawyer (2003-2018, 2020-2022)
Professional Activities
Affiliations
- American Board of Trial Advocates, Associate
- Board Certified in Civil Trial Law and Personal Injury Trial Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization
- Houston Bar Association
- Houston Bar Foundation, Life Fellow
- Houston Young Lawyers Association, Past President
- Houston Young Lawyers Foundation, Life Fellow
- Texas Bar Foundation, Life Fellow
- Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Denver, Metropolis Council (2024-present)
- Strake Jesuit College Preparatory, Board of Directors (2024-present)
- Annunciation Orthodox School, Board of Trustees (2010-2019); Chairman (2015-2018)
- Annunciation Greek Orthodox Cathedral, Parish Council (2010-2015, 2019-present); Vice President (2012-2013)
Clerkship
- The Honorable Edith H. Jones, US Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit
Related Practices
Related Industries