Firm News
Recognized by Chambers USA for 2025, we don’t just litigate—we control the risk, shift leverage, and position our clients for the win.
Mitby Pacholder Johnson Hosts Fundraising Reception for Justice April Farris
Mitby Pacholder Johnson hosted a fundraising reception on January 22 in support of Justice April Farris of the Texas Fifteenth Court of Appeals. The evening event, held at Morton’s The Steakhouse, drew more than 30 attendees from across the Texas legal community.
The reception provided an opportunity for colleagues and friends to reconnect while showing support for Justice Farris and her continued service to the judiciary.
Justice Farris was appointed to the Texas Fifteenth Court of Appeals on Sept. 1, 2024. Prior to that appointment, she served on the First Court of Appeals after being appointed in 2021 and elected in 2022. Earlier in her career, Justice Farris served as an assistant solicitor general for the State of Texas, where she handled appellate matters on behalf of numerous state agencies.
In addition to her judicial service, Justice Farris is a councilmember of the Civil Rights & Civil Liberties Section of the State Bar of Texas, a trustee of the Texas Supreme Court Historical Association, and a board member of the Garland R. Walker Inn of Court in Houston.
The firm was also honored to welcome the Hon. Ted Poe, former judge and U.S. congressman, as a special guest. Judge Poe shared remarks in support of Justice Farris, reflecting on his time on the bench and the perspective shaped by his distinctive approach to criminal sentencing.
Mitby Pacholder Johnson Recognized in 2025 Chambers Spotlight Texas Regional Guide
For the second consecutive year, Mitby Pacholder Johnson PLLC, a Houston-based litigation boutique, has been named to the 2025 Chambers USA Spotlight Guide for Texas, which highlights the best small and medium-sized law firms in the state, focusing on those handling significant local matters or leading cases within the state’s legal market, particularly in the lower-mid market. The firm secured repeat honors for its general commercial litigation.
“We are so honored to be ranked for the second year in a row as a leading firm for commercial litigation,” said firm co-founder Steve Mitby. “We have developed a reputation for successfully handling complex, high-stakes litigation. To be on this list again as one of the best small law firms in Texas tells us that clients continue to work with us because they get results.”
According to Chambers’ latest research cycle which noted a shift in the Texas legal market, “Corporations are turning to local small to mid-size law firms that deliver quick, effective support for ever-evolving in-house counsel needs.”
The ranked firms were selected based on independent in-depth market analysis, coupled with an assessment of their experience, expertise, and caliber of talent.
Mitby Pacholder Johnson Secures Favorable Fifth Circuit Ruling for Client in Age Discrimination Case
Mitby Pacholder Johnson PLLC is pleased to announce that firm cofounders Steve Mitby and Debbie Pacholder secured a significant victory for their client, Anna Palova, in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit, reinforcing the principle that age discrimination claims are not preempted by federal labor law.
Ms. Palova alleged that United Airlines unlawfully terminated her employment because of her age, in violation of the federal Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA) and the Texas Commission on Human Rights Act (TCHRA). United asserted that Ms. Palova violated her collective bargaining agreement (CBA) by manipulating flight assignments for personal and collegial benefit and argued that her claims were barred by the Railway Labor Act (RLA), which limits federal court jurisdiction over certain labor disputes.
The district court agreed with United’s position and granted summary judgment in its favor, concluding that the RLA applied to Ms. Palova’s claims.
On appeal, the Fifth Circuit reversed. In a published opinion, the court held that the RLA does not preclude or preempt Ms. Palova’s age discrimination claims because they are independent of the CBA and do not require interpretation of its terms. The court vacated the district court’s summary judgment order and remanded the case for further proceedings consistent with its ruling. “This is a published opinion that doubles down on the principle that discrimination claims are not preempted,” said Steve. “Unlike prior rulings, this decision will meaningfully encourage litigants to pursue discrimination claims in court and presents real challenges to overreliance on arbitration systems.”
Mitby Pacholder Johnson PLLC Sponsors Harvard Law School Association of Houston Panel on the Texas Business Court
Mitby Pacholder Johnson PLLC (MPJ) was proud to sponsor the Harvard Law School Association of Houston’s recent panel discussion on the Texas Business Court, an event that brought together prominent members of the Texas legal community to explore the court’s role in handling complex commercial disputes efficiently and effectively.
The distinguished panel included Justice James Sullivan of the Texas Supreme Court (HLS ’06), Justice April Farris of the Fifteenth Court of Appeals (HLS ’09), and Judges Sofia Adrogué and Grant Dorfman of the Eleventh Business Court Division — two of the first judges appointed to the Houston division.
The discussion examined the Texas Business Court’s purpose, structure, and potential to streamline the resolution of high-stakes business litigation in the state.
Steve Mitby, a Harvard Law School graduate (HLS ’02) and founding partner of MPJ, emphasized the importance of open dialogue within the legal community.
“Panel discussions such as this one provide a perspective that fuels our support for conversations — where informed dialogue drives meaningful insight and shapes the future of business litigation in Texas,” Mitby said. “Looking ahead, our firm will keep backing initiatives that push the practice of law forward — here in Texas and on the national stage.”
Established by the Texas Legislature in 2023, the Texas Business Court was designed to provide a specialized venue for complex business disputes. The Eleventh Division, based in Houston, was officially sworn in on November 19, 2024, marking a significant step in the court’s statewide rollout.
MPJ’s sponsorship of the event reflects the firm’s ongoing commitment to fostering thought leadership and advancing excellence in business litigation across Texas and beyond.
Steven Mitby and Ryan Van Steenis Named to the 2025 edition of Texas Super Lawyers®
Mitby Pacholder Johnson is pleased to announce that attorneys Steven Mitby and Ryan van Steenis have been included in the 2025 edition of Texas Super Lawyers®.
Mitby, a founding partner of the firm, regularly tackles bet-the-company litigation in some of the fastest evolving industries – oil and gas, petrochemical, medical, software, real estate, healthcare, banking, finance, and alternative energy – in the U.S. and beyond. He maintains a diverse trial practice, having successfully represented companies in the oil and gas, petrochemical, medical, software, real estate development, healthcare and medical equipment, banking, finance, and alternative energy industries, among others. Mitby has been named a Texas Super Lawyer since 2015.
A seasoned litigator, van Steenis regularly represents both plaintiffs and defendants in high-stakes cases across the country and frequently uncovers novel solutions to breach of fiduciary duty, appraisal rights, and directors’ and officers’ liability issues. He has successfully tried cases in federal and state courts, including the Delaware Court of Chancery, where he frequently uncovers novel solutions to intricate issues such as breach of fiduciary duty, appraisal rights, and directors’ and officers’ liability. His diverse experience extends to advising private-public partnerships, foreign companies, and non-profits, contributing to significant events like the Houston Super Bowl, Barrett-Jackson’s Inaugural Houston Auto Auction, and the World Petroleum Congress. Introduced in 1991, Super Lawyers is a rating service of outstanding lawyers from more than 70 practice areas. Each year, less than 5% of attorneys are selected as “Super Lawyers” and 2.5% as “Rising Stars.” To be selected for inclusion, candidates are nominated by peers within and outside the firm and are evaluated on 12 indicators of peer recognition and professional achievement. After the patented selection process is complete, results are validated by a third-party organization, resulting in a credible, comprehensive, and diverse listing of outstanding attorneys.
Bristow Group, Inc. V. Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation
We represent Bristow Group, Inc. in litigation over a $29 million helicopter purchase from Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation. The litigation relates to Sikorsky’s decision to retain a $11.7 million deposit as alleged liquidated damages for Bristow’s failure to take possession of the aircraft during a downturn in the oilfield services market. We proved in discovery that Sikorsky sold the aircraft frame to the government of Uzbekistan at a substantial profit, preventing Sikorsky from retaining the deposit. Motions for summary judgment are pending.
Bristow Group, Inc., et al v. Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation, et al.; Adv. Proc. No. 19-03691; In the Southern District of Texas Bankruptcy Court.