20 Years of LPM: Cases That Shaped our History

At Laminack, Pirtle & Martines, we believe every case matters. We recognize that the significance of our work cannot be measured by the size of a case or the outcome alone. As founding partner Rick Laminack once said, "Whether a case is large or small, we treat each client with the attitude that theirs is the most important case we will ever try." That philosophy has remained at the heart of our firm and continues to guide our commitment to every client we have the privilege of representing. While every case holds its own significance, the following highlights offer a glimpse into the breadth of our work and the many ways our firm has advocated for our clients over the years. 

"The Mustard Gas Case" a/k/a Johnson v. Clorox, et al.

Shortly after opening our doors in 2006, we took our first case, representing a Dallas family who had tragically lost a loved one following exposure to a toxic chemical mixture used during home improvement. With only one case at the time, all hands were on deck! Our entire team, at the time consisting of three named partners, one associate, and two staff members, dedicated their time, attention, and efforts to pursuing justice for the family. The case ultimately resulted in an exceptional settlement and helped establish a standard that continues to define LPM today: a team-wide commitment to every client and every case. Although our firm has grown exponentially since 2006, that commitment has never changed. Every case remains a collective effort, supported by a team that works together to pursue the best possible outcome for the people who place their trust in us.

Wellogix, Inc. v. Accenture, LLP

In 2008 we took on the case of Houston-based software developer, Wellogix, Inc., in a high-stakes trading secrets case involving allegations that Accenture misappropriated proprietary software and intellectual property designed to manage complex drilling processes. Following a two-week trial in federal court in Harris County, a 12-member jury returned a unanimous verdict in favor of Wellogix, awarding more than $94 million in damages. The case highlighted the importance of protecting intellectual property and holding companies accountable for the alleged misuse of valuable trade secrets, marking a significant achievement in our history of complex commercial litigation.

Turner v. Basic Energy Services, et al.

In the case of Turner v. Basic Energy Services, et al., we represented the family of Justin Turner, a 26-year-old father of two young children who tragically lost his life when the workover rig he was working on collapsed, causing him to fall more than 60 feet to the ground in 2015. Our attorneys pursued claims against all six companies involved in the accident, securing pretrial settlements with five defendants and taking the case against the remaining defendant to trial. The efforts culminated in a Harris County, Texas, jury verdict exceeding $22 million. The case reflects our commitment to holding companies accountable for their role in preventable tragedies and seeking justice for families whose lives have been forever changed by the loss of a loved one.

In re: Bard Implanted Port Catheter Products Liability Litigation

On September 4th, 2026, founding partner Tom Pirtle, helped secure a $40 million jury verdict for plaintiff Kimberly Divelbliss in the second bellwether trial of In re: Bard Implanted Port Catheter Products Liability Litigation in federal court in Phoenix, Arizona. After 12 days of trial, the jury found Becton Dickinson responsible for injuries sustained when Mrs. Divelbliss' implanted port catheter broke and became lodged in her heart, awarding $40 million in damages for physical pain and suffering and mental anguish. The verdict set a new all-time record for the largest personal injury verdict in federal court in Phoenix, making a historic milestone for LPM and reinforcing our firm's commitment to holding corporations accountable and securing meaningful results for individuals harmed by defective products.