City: Houston

Gary V. McGowan

Professional Experience

For 25 years, Gary McGowan has served as an arbitrator and mediator in national and international disputes, often complex, high-stakes matters. He has arbitrated over 145 disputes, serving as chair or solo in 108.

An attorney for 40 years, McGowan litigated business cases for 16 years, most notably as a founding partner of Susman, Godfrey & McGowan, a prominent boutique law firm. As a neutral, he has established a reputation for effectiveness, thorough preparation, and quick discernment.
Dispute Resolution Experience and Training

Arbitrated over 145 matters (AAA, CPR, AHLA, and Ad Hoc).
Arbitrated 23 international disputes (ICC, ICDR, UNCITRAL).
Chair of panel or solo arbitrator in 108 matters.
Professional and Other Activities

  • Fellow, Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (London).
  • Fellow, College of Commercial Arbitrators.
  • American Arbitration Association’s Commercial Panel, Large Case Panel, and Oil & Gas Panel.
  • International Panel of Arbitrators, International Centre for Dispute Resolution (New York).
  • Energy Arbitrators List, a global panel of energy arbitrators vetted by ICDR.
  • Directory of Energy Arbitrators, Institute for Energy Law.
  • Panel of Arbitrators, Hong Kong International Arbitration Centre.
  • National Panel of Distinguished Neutrals, International Institute For Conflict Prevention and Dispute Resolution (“CPR”).
  • CPR’s Energy, Oil and Gas Panel of Distinguished Neutrals.
  • Roster of Arbitrators, American Health Lawyers Association.
  • Panel of Arbitrators, Vienna International Arbitral Centre.
  • Panel of Arbitrators, Kuala Lumpur Regional Centre for Arbitration.
  • 2015, 2016, and 2017 editions of The Best Lawyers in America in Arbitration.
  • Best Lawyers’ 2017 Arbitration “Lawyer of the Year” in Houston.
  • Acquisition International – Best in International Arbitration 2016 – Texas.
  • Corp America’s 2016 Legal Elite Award for Best International Disputes Arbitrator – Texas.
  • Corporate LiveWire 2016 Global Awards — Arbitration in the Energy Sector.
  • Finance Monthly Global’s 2016 Award—Arbitration and Mediation Law Firm of the Year–USA.
  • Charter Member and Executive Committee, Texas Chapter, National Academy of Distinguished Neutrals.
  • Board of Directors, Section of Alternative Dispute Resolution, State Bar of Texas.
  • Texas Super Lawyer (Texas Monthly) for each of last ten years.
  • Among the five “Top Notch” neutrals in Texas, Texas Lawyer.
  • 20th Edition, The Best Lawyers in America, and 2014 Houston Mediation “Lawyer of the Year”.
  • Listed in The International Who’s Who of Commercial Mediation 2013 (WHO’S WHO LEGAL, London).
  • Fellow and Board Member, American College of Civil Trial Mediators.
  • Lawdragon 500 — among the 500 best judges (public and private) in U.S.
  • 1983-1984 Chairman, Antitrust and Trade Regulation Section, State Bar of Texas.
  • 1990-present: speaker at CLE programs on arbitration and mediation –over 25 presentations.
  • 1978-1989: speaker at CLE programs on business litigation, antitrust law, and lender liability–over 20 presentations.
  • Moderated Panel discussion at CIArb Energy Arbitration 2017 Conference in Houston. Topic–Arbitrating the Mega Energy Case.
  • Ranked in Chambers USA 2017.
Academic Qualifications

Bachelor of Arts in Economics, University of Texas, Austin (1970)
J.D., University of Texas School of Law (1973)

Scott D. Marrs

Professional Experience

Scott Marrs has over 20 years of experience in arbitration, litigation and legal counseling in international, energy (oil and gas exploration, production, transportation, storage, power, petrochemical, energy marketing, well service), intellectual property (patent, trademark, copyright, trade secrets and covenant not to compete litigation), commercial, product liability and international matters in state and federal courts, and in national and international arbitrations.
Dispute Resolution Experience and Training

  • Arbitrator in complex commercial contract matter involving engineering, design and project management issues in mining and energy industries.
  • Arbitrator in multi-million dollar energy matter regarding commercial contract in natural gas recycling, extraction, green energy business and allegations of contract breach and fraud.
  • Arbitrated 9-figure international disputes involving complex contractual and governmental issues regarding acquisition and divestiture of oil and gas interests in South America.
  • Arbitrator on energy panel in multi-million dollar action involving contract and financial issues relating to acquisition and divestiture of numerous producing oil and gas properties.
  • Arbitrator on commercial panel in breach of commercial contract action with associated fraud counterclaims involving stock and insurance issues.
  • Arbitrated claims by independent oil and gas producers in multi-million dollar action involving drilling companies in commercial transaction disputes.
  • Represented international oil field services company in disputes involving Middle Eastern contracts.
  • Represented natural gas pipeline company regarding $200 million acquisition dispute with energy a company.
  • Arbitrated multi-million dollar intellectual property disputes between an international medical device company and an inventor/surgeon.
  • Represented investors in disputes with exploration company involving foreign oil and gas fields.
  • Arbitrated a major investment matter for an international brokerage house involving alleged losses by a group of high net worth businessmen.
  • Represented energy client in disputes involving Russian oil interests.
  • Retained as intellectual property expert in a copyright and trademark arbitration involving two competing international chair manufacturers.
  • Represented oil and gas company in disputes involving allegedly defective land rigs.
  • Represented exploration & production company in various royalty lawsuits.
  • Represented French supplier of industrial gases in federal jury trial involving commercial contract disputes.
  • Represented a Dutch equipment manufacturer to resolve various international and commercial issues.
  • Represented international chemical company in $30 Million commercial contract dispute
Professional and Other Activities

Arbitrator with: BCICAC, AAA, ICC, CPR, and LCIA
International Institute for Energy Law – Advisory Board
International Association of Defense Counsel – ADR Committee (Co-Chair)
American, Texas and Houston Bar Foundations – Fellow
Speaker: “Harness the Power of Arbitration to Obtain A Successful Award,” 2013 ALM Course, High Stakes Litigation (NYC)
Speaker: “Comparing and Contrasting Major European and American Arbitral Forums,” 2013 IADC Annual Meeting (Hawaii)
Speaker: “Getting Your Mojo Back Regarding Arbitration,” 2012 Trial Network Litigation Mgmt Supercourse (NYC)
Author: AAA, JAMS and CPR Comparison Chart, Practical Law Jrnl (Feb 2014)
Author: “Arbitration Confidentiality,” Texas Bar Journal (Feb. 2014)
Author: “10 Major Arbitration Issues Recently Addressed By Courts,” Dispute Resolution Jrnl (Aug 2009)
Academic Qualifications

2013 Top Rated Lawyer in Alternative Dispute Resolution, American Lawyer Media
Texas’ “Top Rated Lawyer,” Martindale, 2012, 2014
“Texas Super Lawyer,” 2004, 2006-2014
“Houston’s Top Lawyers,” H Texas Magazine, 2007-2012, 2014
“Top 40 Texas Lawyers Under 40,” Texas Lawyer, 2001
Houston Lawyer Award, Outstanding Legal Article of the Year, 1993
Hirsch, Glover, Robinson & Sheiness Award, Excellence in Insurance Law, 1989