Practice Areas

Civil Appellate
Civil Trial Litigation
3601-Sims-Andrew-D

                                                                         

 About Andy

Andrew (Andy) Sims is an accomplished specialist in civil appellate and trial litigation.  He is licensed to practice in Texas and Pennsylvania.  During his twenty-five years of practice, his expertise in trial and appellate law has proved to be a significant benefit to his clients.  His broad range of experience includes litigation in the areas of oil and gas, real estate, financial institutions, insurance, contracts, construction, shareholder oppression and derivative suits, corporate governance, fiduciary litigation, business torts, and intellectual property.  Andy also represents automobile dealers in administrative litigation matters before the Motor Vehicle Division of the Texas Department of Transportation. In addition to serving business clients, Andy enjoys representing churches and denominational organizations in a variety of matters, including First Amendment issues.  

Andy has been certified by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization in Civil Appellate Law and Civil Trial Law since 1992 and 1993, respectively.  He is admitted to practice before the United States Supreme Court, Federal Circuit Court of Appeals, 5th Circuit Court of Appeals, the Federal Courts for the Eastern, Northern, Southern, and Western Districts of Texas, all Texas trial and appellate courts, and all Commonwealth of Pennsylvania trial and appellate courts.  Andy has the highest attainable peer-reviewed rating (AV-5.0) by Martindale Hubble, and is a member of numerous professional organizations.

Andy and his wife, Beth, have two daughters, Holly and Heather.  Beth is a private tutor for elementary and middle school children.  Holly and Heather are college students at Davidson College in North Carolina.  Hershey, the family’s fifteen year-old chocolate Labrador Retriever, is enjoying retirement.

Representative Published Cases

Representative Litigation Matters

  • Cause No. 3:11-CV-116-F, U.S. v. Range Production Co., in the U.S. District Court, Northern District of Texas (dismissal of EPA enforcement action against client (March 30, 2012).  A new article regarding the ruling may be read here. 
  • Cause No. 2011-1327, Weaver v. Houchin, in the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit (affirmance of summary judgment in favor of client) (March 7, 2012)
  • Cause No. CV11-0798; Lipsky v. Range Production Co., et al., in the 43rd District Court of Parker County, Texas (successful defense of Anti-Slapp Motion filed by Plaintiffs and Third-Party Defendant). (February 16, 2012)  A news article regarding the ruling may be read here. 
  • Cause No. CV11-0798; Lipsky v. Range Production Co., et al., in the 43rd District Court of Parker County, Texas (dismissal of Plaintiffs' claims against Range). (January 27, 2012)  A news article regarding the ruling may be read here. 
  • Cause No. 1-11-cv-00045 DPM; Phillip Berry and Peggy Berry v. Southwestern Energy Company, XTO Energy, Chesapeake Energy Corporation, and BHP Billiton Petroleum (Fayetteville), LLC, in the U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Arkansas (client dismissed from class action litigation after filing 12(b)(6) motion) (July 18, 2011)
  • Cause No. 1-11-cv-0044 DPM; James Tucker and Mindy Tucker v. Southwestern Energy Company, XTO Energy, Chesapeake Energy Corporation, and BHP Billiton Petroleum (Fayetteville), in the U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Arkansas (client dismissed from class action litigation after filing 12(b)(6) motion) (July 18, 2011)
  • RRC Docket No. 7B-0268629; Range Production Company-Lipsky, Steve Complaint 7B-9601, Butler Unit Lease (253732), Well No. 1H, Barnett Shale Field, Parker County, Texas Job 10-8526 (final Railroad Commission order determined that Range did not cause or contribute to contamination of water wells) (May 22, 2011)
  • Cause No. 4:09-cv-00187-A; Entertainment Merchandising Technology, L.L.C., Mark Olmstead, Johnney R. Weaver, Earl D. Morris and Michael J. Dietz, in the U.S. District Court, Northern District of Texas, Fort Worth Division (summary judgment for client disposing of all claims) (July 8, 2010)
  • Cause No. CV 08-1470; Seven Knolls Properties I, LP, by and through its General Partner, Seven Knolls Land, Inc. v. Range Texas Production, LLC, Range Resources Corporation, Range Production Company, in the 43rd District Court, Parker County, Texas (unanimous jury verdict for client after three week jury trial) (June 2, 2010)
  • Cause No. 153-226408-07; Lyn S. Dulaney, Individually and as Independent Executrix of the Estate of Richard Key Dulaney v. C. W. Stocker, III, Fort Worth Energy Company, LLC, and Fort Worth Pipeline Company, LLC, in the 153rd District Court, Tarrant County, Texas (unanimous jury verdict for client after four week jury trial) (December 2, 2009)
  • Cause No. 2009-30211-211; Range Texas Production, LLC and Range Production Company v. Allegiance Hill View, L.P., in the 211th District Court, Denton County, Texas (declaratory judgment for client after one week non-jury trial) (November 25, 2009)
  • Cause No. 236-210519-05; Forbes Hutton Leasing, Inc. and Gametronics Gaming Equipment Limited v. Game Systems, Inc. a/k/a Texas Game Systems v. Robert Houchin, in the 236th District Court, Tarrant County Texas (summary judgment for client disposing of all claims) (November 19, 2008)

Publications

Speaking Engagements

  • June 7-8, 2012 – Update on the Range Production Company Cases:  Texas State Court Litigation, presented to CLE International's Conference on Hydraulic Fracturing, St. Regis Hotel, Houston, Texas.  Click here for more information or to register. 
  • June 6-7, 2012 – Litigation Update Panel, discussion presented to the 3rd Law of Shale Plays Conference, sponsored by the Institute for Energy Law, Hilton Hotel, Fort Worth, Texas.  Click here for more information or to register. 
  • April 17, 2012 – Hydraulic Fracturing Litigation Update, presented to the AAPL Southwest Land Institute, Petroleum Club, Fort Worth, Texas.  A flyer for the event may be found here. 
  • April 7, 2011 – The Rest of the Story – the EPA Order Against Range Resources, co-presented with Michael Fitzpatrick to the Tarrant County Bar Association Energy Law Section.
  • September 23, 2011 – What Were They Thinking? Appellate Justices Review What Lawyers Do, Andy Sims, moderator - discussion by panel of Jurists from the Texas Supreme Court, the Second Court of Appeals, and the Fifth Court of Appeals on ethics in practicing appellate law
  • November 11, 2011 – What is in the Water? The Rest of the EPA v. Range Resources Story and Why it Matters, co-presented with Michael Fitzpatrick to the Houston Energy Risk Managers – North Texas

Additional Highlights

  • Chair, Executive Committee, Harris, Finley & Bogle (2008–present)
  • Licensed in Pennsylvania
  • Member, Texas Board of Legal Specialization Civil Trial Appellate Exam Commission (2008–present)
  • Member, Texas Board of Legal Specialization Civil Trial Exam Commission (2002–2008)
  • Master, Eldon B. Mahon Inn of Court
  • Chair, Appellate section of the Tarrant County Bar Association (2005–2006)
  • Fellow, Texas Bar Foundation
  • Fellow, Tarrant County Bar Foundation
  • Named Super Lawyer in Business Litigation by Texas Monthly magazine (2003–present)
  • Named Top Attorney numerous times by Fort Worth, Texas magazine
  • Chair, Pastor Search Committee, Broadway Baptist Church of Fort Worth (2008-2009)
  • Graduate, Baylor Law School (JD, 1986)
    • Member, Phi Delta Phi
  • Honors Graduate, Baylor University (BA, 1983)
  • National Merit Scholar

Contact

P.817-870-8704
F.817-333-1186
E:asims@hfblaw.com
Harris, Finley & Bogle, P.C.
777 Main Street Suite 3600
Fort Worth, Texas 76102

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