Ileana M. Blanco is a partner in the Litigation practice, based in Houston.

She comes to DLA Piper from Bracewell & Giuliani, where she chaired that firm’s lender liability litigation practice.

A significant part of Ms. Blanco’s practice involves advising and representing financial institutions and their officers and directors. She represents and counsels global energy companies and other multinational clients in complex commercial litigation and disputes concerning intellectual property, finance, securities, construction and contractual issues, and multiparty disputes, including class actions. Ms. Blanco has extensive trial, arbitration and dispute-resolution experience representing both domestic and international companies.

Ms. Blanco maintains a diverse civil litigation practice in the defense of business torts claim. These include tortious interference with business relations, defamation and unfair competition, defense of wrongful death and serious personal injury lawsuits, toxic tort litigation, and claims under the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO) and securities fraud statutes.

Ms. Blanco, who was born in Cuba and is fluent in Spanish, regularly represents international clients in Europe and Africa. She also regularly travels to Spain, Mexico, the Dominican Republic, Chile, Brazil, Argentina, Kazakhstan and Nigeria on behalf of Latin American clients.

She has been named a Texas Super Lawyer every year since this recognition was introduced. Martindale-Hubbell rates her AV, its highest available ranking. Texas magazine named her to its lists of Houston’s Top Lawyers in both 2005 and 2006, and in 2003 she was a recipient of the Women on the Move honor.

Representative Matters

Commercial

• A major medical/dental equipment provider in an ICC arbitration in London.
• A Swiss company in a potential dispute against a copper production company owned by the Government of Georgia.
• HittleTechnologies Inc. v. STEAGPower LLC, and NRGEnergy Inc., Cause No. 03-CV-2885, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas, Houston Division.
• Kellogg Brown & Root, S. de R.L., f/k/a Dresser Kellogg Energy Services Corporation v. Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Limited, Cause No. 2003-50599. In the 295th Judicial District Court of Harris County, Texas removed to Kellogg Brown & Root, S. de R.L., f/k/a Dresser Kellogg Energy Services Corporation v. Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Limited, C.A. No. 04-1442. In the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas, Houston Division and in Federal High Court, Port Harcourt, Nigeria. Complex construction litigation involving a gas processing facility in Port Harcourt, Nigeria and issues of personal jurisdiction, forum non conveniens, removal, professional and ethical conduct and misconduct, remand, anti-injuction injunction lawsuits, standing, foreign law and alternative dispute resolution mechanisms.
• In re: Seven Seas Petroleum, Inc., Debtor, Ben Floyd, Chapter 11 Trustee for Seven Seas Petroluem, Inc. v. Chesapeake Energy Corp., et al., C.A. No. H-03-5693. In the United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas, Houston Division. Breach of fiduciary lawsuit against former directors.
• Baylor College of Medicine v. American Guarantee and Liability Insurance Company, C.A. No. H-02-1711. In the United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas, Houston Division. Bad faith lawsuit arising from Tropical Storm Allison damage in 2001.
  T. Scott O'Keefe v. Pride International Inc. and Pride Offshore Inc., Cause No. 2002-54163. In the 125th Judicial District Court of Harris County, Texas. Breach of contract claim.

Energy Cases

• New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection and The Administrator of the New Jersey Spill Compensation Fund vs. Occidental Chemical Corporation, Tierra Solutions, Inc., Maxus Energy Corporation, Repsol YPF, S.A., YPF, S.A., YPF Holdings, Inc. and CLH Holdings; No. L-009868 05; Superior Court of New Jersey, Law Division, Essex County. Representation of Spanish oil company and its subsidiaries in major environmental litigation.
• In re: YukosOil Company, Case No. 04-03952. United States Bankruptcy Court, Southern District of Texas.
• Aries Resources LLC v. Engage Energy US, L.P., Cause No. 1999-41543. In the 281st Judicial District Court of Harris County, Texas.
• VastarGas Marketing Inc. v. Florida Power Corporation, C.A. H-00-0706. In the United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas, Houston Division.
• Berry Group Ltd. and Berry Contracting L.P. d/b/a Bay Ltd. v. Enron North America Corp. f/k/a Enron Capital & Trade Resources Corp., Cause No. 00-61-61361-2. In the County Court at Law Number Two, Nueces County, Texas.
• McKenna v. Enron. Arbitration.
• Helmsley-Spear Inc. et al v. Thermo Electron Metallurgical Services Inc. et al, Cause No. 1999-60896. In the 281st Judicial District Court of Harris County, Texas.
• PG&E Texas Natural Gas Company and PG&E Energy Trading-Gas Corp. v. TransEnergyManagement (U.S.A.) Inc. and TransEnergyManagement (Texas) Inc., No. 98-25629. In the 127th Judicial District Court of Harris County, Texas.
• Rosa Carolina BergesMartin, on her behalf and on behalf of her son Cristian v. Smith Enron Cogeneration Partnership Limited. Pending in the Dominican Republic.
• Costambar Asociacionde Propiedad v. Smith Enron Cogeneration Partnership Limited. Pending in the Dominican Republic.
• Amoco Production Company, Individually, and as the Parent Company of Amoco Gas Company and Amoco Energy Trading Corporation and Amoco Gas Company and Amoco Energy Trading Corporation as Subsidiaries and in Their Individual Capacities v. Houston Pipe Line Company, Enron Capital & Trade Resources Corp. and HPLResources Company, No. 96-16867. In the 190th Judicial District Court.
• Ramirez Brana Forwarding Resources LLP v. DuraAutomotive Systems Inc., C.A. No. M-01-174. In the United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas, McAllen Division.

Financial Institutions Cases

• Fidelity & Guaranty Insurance Underwriters Inc., et al v. Industry State Bank, et al v. Industry State Bank, et al., C.A. No. H 05-596. In the United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas Houston Division.
• Pratpal S.Bagga v. FL Receivables Trust 2002-A, et al., Cause No. 2004-08-4175-A. In the 107th Judicial District Court of Cameron County, Texas.
• Prudential Financial Inc. v. JP Morgan Chase Bank, National Association, First City Financial Corporation, First-City National Bank of Houston as Trustee of the First City Bancorporation Employee Retirement Trust, and FCLT Loans Asset Corporation, Cause No. 2005-04492. In the 152nd Judicial District Court of Harris County, Texas.
• SSDA-1 Limited Partnership d/b/a MarquettHouse, et al. v. Prudential Financial, et al., Civil Action No. H-01-1981. In the United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas, Houston Division.
• S T Global Products Corporation v. Bank of America and Larry Hale, No. 00-04154-00-0-H. In the 347th Judicial District Court, Nueces County, Texas. Lender liability.
• Guaranty Federal Bank, F.S.B. v. Chase Bank of Texas, N.A., f/k/a Texas Commerce Bank National Association, No. 1999-56095. In the 333rd Judicial District Court, Harris County, Texas. Commercial liability.
• Coastal Banc SSB v. Chase Bank of Texas, N.A., f/k/a Texas Commerce Bank National Association, No. 2000-01212. In the 157th Judicial District Court of Harris County, Texas. Commercial liability.
• James R. Michalek, II, Individually and on Behalf of all Other Similarly Situated v. Bank One Texas, N.A. Bank One, Bank One Columbus, N.A. and Bank One Corp., No. 1999-58450. In the 127th Judicial District Court of Harris County, Texas. Class action lender liability.
• Carlos Gonzales, et al. v. WoodforestBancshares, et al., No. 1999-18211. In the 270th Judicial District Court of Harris County, Texas. Lender liability.
• S.J. Baytown Properties Ltd. v. Lehman Brothers Holdings Inc. d/b/a Lehman Capital, a Division of Lehman Brothers Holdings Inc., Cause No. H-98-1702. In the United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas, Houston Division. Lender liability.
• Marietta Cash Cruse, Individually and as Independent Executrix of the Estate of Clarence Martin Cruse v. First Heights Bank F.S.B. and Sunbelt National Mortgage Corporation, No. 82748. In the 268th Judicial District Court of Fort Bend County, Texas. Lender liability.
• First Heights Bank F.S.B. v. Martha Whitehead, et al., No. 93-40388. In the 113th Judicial District Court of Harris County, Texas. Lender liability.
• Stephen J. Shaper v. Sunbelt National Bank and B.J. Williams, Cause No. 97-29156. In the 113th District Court of Harris County, Texas. Lender liability.
• Jerry Shults Jr., Thomas Shults, Shults Bros., Kelly Tire Service Center Inc. and Shults Bros Corp. v. Clear Lake National Bank and James E. Harlan, Cause No. 96-34199. In the 164th Judicial District Court of Harris County, Texas. Lender liability.
• Bob Houston Neal and wife, Bobbie Jean Fite Neal v. Southwest Bank, No. 97862. In the 62nd Judicial District Court of Hopkins County, Texas. Lender liability.
• Southwest Bank v. Rickey Roy Landers and Debbie Sue Landers, No. 30669. In the 62nd Judicial District Court of Hopkins County, Texas. Lender liability.
• Gary M. Bennett v. Texas Coastal Bank, et al., No. 1999-19923. In the 129th Judicial District Court of Harris County, Texas. Lender liability.
• North Dallas Trading Company v. Woodward & Dickerson Wood Products Inc. and Bank of America N.A., JAMS No. 1310011598. In the matter of the Arbitration. Lender liability.

Class Actions and Multiple Party Cases

• SSDA-1 Limited Partnership d/b/a MarquettHouse, et al. v. Prudential Financial, et al., Civil Action No. H-01-1981. In the United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas, Houston Division. Lender liability.
• Juan Chapa and Lori Barrera v. Farmers Insurance Group of Companies, et al., No. C-02-231. In the United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas, Corpus Christi Division. Insurance profiling.
• George and Christine Haggerty, on Behalf of Themselves and All Others Similarly Situated v. HSBC North America Inc., et al., Cause No. 2003-1295-B. In the 124th Judicial District Court of Gregg County, Texas. Commercial fraud case.
• Ed Clark, Individually and on Behalf of All Others Similarly Situated v. Farmers Group Inc., et al., Cause No. A-02-CA-427JN. In the United States District Court for the Western District of Texas, Austin Division. Insurance profiling.
• Mid-Century Insurance Co. v. Hallmark Office Products Inc. and William A. Stephens, Individually and on Behalf of All Others Similarly Situated v. Farmers Group Inc., Cause No. 2001-49368. In the 295th Judicial District Court of Harris County, Texas. Insurance profiling.

Products Liability Cases

• Krystal Barrett, Individually and as Heir to Patrick Enfield, Deceased v. Ford Motor Company, et al., Cause No. 31412. In the 23rd Judicial Court of Brazoria County, Texas.
• Homero Acosta and Roasario Acosta, Individually and as next friends of Homero Acosta Jr., Miguel Angel Acosta and Jessica Acosta v. Goodyear Dunlop Tires North America, Ltd.; Dunlop Tire Corporation and The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company, Civil Action No. C-04-359. United States District Court, Southern District of Texas, Corpus Christi Division.
• Marcelo Gabriel Duran Herrera, et al. v. Dunlop Tire Corporation, et al., Cause of Action Number L-03-CV-152. United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas, Laredo Division.
• Maria de Los Angeles Ortiz Gamez, etc., et al. v. Alberto Ramirez-Gatica, Goodyear Dunlop Tires North America Ltd., Cause No. 2001CCE000862D2. In the 111th Judicial District Court of Webb County, Texas. Wrongful death and serious injuries involving several plaintiffs.
• Ingrid Yelitza Perez Mogollon Omana, et al. v. Dunlop Tire Corporation, et al., Cause of Action Number 5-04-CV-24. U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas, Laredo Division. Wrongful death and serious injuries involving several plaintiffs.

Arbitrations

• Joanne Montgomery Moore et al. v. Prudential Securities Inc. et al., NASD Arbitration No. 05-03586.

Admissions

• New York
• Texas
• United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit
• United States District Court for the Northern District of Texas
• United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas
• United States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas
• United States District Court for the Western District of Texas
• United States Supreme Court

Memberships

• State Bar of Texas
• Texas Bar Foundation, Life Fellow
• Houston Bar Association
• Houston Bar Foundation, Sustaining Life Fellow
• Texas Association of Defense Counsel
• Defense Research Institute
• American Board of Trial Advocates, Associate
• Association of Women Attorneys, President, 1999-2000
• Bar Association of the Fifth Federal Circuit
• Texas State Bar College
• Houston Bar Association, Member of the Professionalism Committee, 2003-2004
• Houston Bar Association, Member of the Judicial Polls Committee, 2003-2004
• Institute for Transnational Arbitration, Associate Member

Publications

• "Planes, Trains and Automobiles: From Nigeria to Harris County State Court and Back to the Future to Federal Court," December 2004
• "What's Fair - and Legal - in the World of Business Competition?" Houston Business Journal, May 2004

Seminars

• "Conflict Resolution on the Regional Energy Stage", 4th Annual Energy Integration Congress in Rio de Janiero, Brazil, October 29, 2007
• "E-Discovery and The Electronic Courtroom," Prudential Litigation and Regulatory Management Conference, April 12, 2007
• "International Arbitration and Litigation and the Potential Role of Arbitration in South America Energy Integration Congress," Buenos Aires, Argentina, October 23, 2006
• "Negotiating Contracts: Some Practical Considerations," Bechtel Corporation, November 10 and 11, 2005
• "Arbitration v. Litigation: 2005 Update," American Chamber of Commerce, Kazakhstan, September 14, 2005
• Arbitraje v. Litigio "Untango Legal," Instituto Argentino del Petroleo y del Gas Buenos Aires, Argentina
• Panelist, "The Vanishing Jury Trial," Harris County Bench Bar Conference, April 2005
• "Lessons Learned from ICSID Arbitration Over Investment Disputes Involving Argentina's Privatization Program and Economic Emergency Law No. 25556," Instituto Argentino del Petroleo y del Gas (IAPG), October 28, 2004
• "The Reform of Dispute Resolution Mechanisms in Kazakhstan," Almaty & Astana, Kazakhstan, October 2004
• "The Practical Aspects of Doing Business in the Caspian: Focus on Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan," Aberdeen, Scotland, September 2004
• "Rules Bingo," Houston Bar Association, April 2004
• "Rules Bingo," Bracewell & Patterson, May 2003
• "How to Avoid Lender Liability Exposure," Bank of America, May 2003
• "Multiple Conflicts: How to 'Survive' Temptation Island," Ethics Seminar, Bracewell & Patterson, January 2002; El Paso Corporation, November 2001; Reliant Energy, June 2001
• "How to Win at Trial with a Financial Expert," South Texas Seminar, November 2000
• "Dealing with Disgruntled Minority Shareholders," University of Houston, 1999
• "Dealing with Minority Shareholders," University of Houston, 1998
• "Representing Minority Shareholders: An Overview," University of Houston, 1997
• "Multiple Party Problems," University of Houston, 1996
• "Worldwide Jurisdiction," Bracewell & Patterson, 1995