Branden focuses his practice on commercial and business litigation, representing clients nationwide across multiple industries, including energy, private equity, products manufacturers and financial institutions. Branden is a relentless yet thoughtful litigator who takes care to understand his clients’ businesses, needs and goals to drive and deliver results inside and outside the courtroom.
Branden has completed jury trials in state and federal courts, successfully briefed and argued numerous dispositive and discovery motions, routinely conducts and defends depositions for trial purposes, and has argued at the appellate level. Branden also has extensive experience negotiating the settlement of cases and pre-litigation matters.
Branden has been recognized in “Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch” for Commercial Litigation and named to “Pennsylvania Rising Stars” for Business Litigation.
- Obtained million-dollar jury award for major natural gas transmission company in federal court on property damage claim.
- Obtained jury verdict on behalf of construction company in state court breach of contract action.
- Successfully negotiated settlement of breach of asset purchase agreement claims in state and federal courts on behalf of mid-market private equity firm.
- Obtained dismissal of claims against mid-market private equity firm related to asset purchase.
- Obtained summary judgment for private equity firm facing fraud claims in state court.
- Persuaded federal judge in oral argument to dismiss property and tort claims, including a request for punitive damages, against railroad client.
- Obtained summary judgment on behalf of manufacturer on defective products claims.
- Obtained dismissal on personal jurisdiction for major hotel chain in state court.
- Served as defendants’ liaison counsel for mass tort litigation in state court.
- Obtained judgment on the pleadings for renewable energy manufacturer in state court.
- Secured recovery of attorneys’ fees for major bank in state court.
- Successfully negotiated and resolved interpleader dispute for major bank in federal court.
- Advised multiple private equity firms on the litigation risks facing parties in transactions .
- Managed litigation and landowner negotiations on behalf of major natural gas transmission company for pipeline construction project, including obtaining temporary restraining orders and preliminary injunctions in state court.
- Obtained eminent domain judgment on behalf of major natural gas transmission company in federal court.
- Secured judgment on the pleadings on behalf of mortgage company, and successfully defended appeal, in state trial and appeals courts.
- Obtained summary judgment on behalf of large banking institution on fraud claims in state court.
- Assisted major wealth management company with various third-party matters, including responses to subpoenas, depositions, and state and appellate court appearances.
- Negotiated pre-suit settlement of threatened negligence action against a major wealth management company.
- Managed multi-jurisdictional subpoena response project for large banking institution.
- Assisted oil and gas producer with insurance claim related to on-site spill.
- Assisted steel producer with potential acquisition of foreign mill.
- Represented midstream and interstate pipeline companies in various easement disputes.
- Obtained summary judgment on breach of contract claims on behalf of education company in state court.
- Obtained summary judgment on property-based claims for individual client in state court.
- Represented major coal mining company in various forms of litigation.
- Successfully prevented the release of a defamatory podcast on behalf of an individual client.
- Successfully defended multiple oil and gas producers in various lease disputes and tort claims.
- Successfully argued petition on behalf of natural gas storage company against coal mining company before state hearing board.
- Represented railroad company in various property disputes to successful resolution.
- Represented steel producer in various actions to successful resolutions.
- Negotiated settlement of wrongful death claims against construction company.
- Negotiated settlement of defective product claims against refractory manufacturer.
- Successfully defended electric power company against nuisance class action in federal court.
- Successfully defended various construction companies against contract disputes.
- Successfully negotiated settlement of claims against company directors in franchise dispute.
- Negotiated settlement of property claims against telecommunications company.
Insights
- Author, The Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia Answers Important Issues for Oil and Gas Well Operators, McGuireWoods Legal Alert, December 3, 2024
- Author, Third Circuit Confirms Right to Immediate Possession in Federal Condemnation Actions, McGuireWoods Legal Alert, November 2, 2018
- Author, PA Court: Rule of Capture Does Not Apply to Hydraulic Fracturing, McGuireWoods Legal Alert, April 9, 2018
- Author, Appeals Court Thwarts Trump Effort to Stall Implementation of Methane Rules, McGuireWoods Legal Alert, August 7, 2017
- Author, West Virginia Court Pivots Toward Industry in Recent Post-Production Deduction Case, McGuireWoods Legal Alert, June 2, 2017
- Author, Oklahoma Federal Court Denies Injunctive Relief in Wind Farm Nuisance Suit, McGuireWoods Legal Alert, October 26, 2016
- Author, Pennsylvania Court: Sublease of Production Rights Does Not Sever “Dual-Purpose” Oil and Gas Leases, McGuireWoods Legal Alert, March 24, 2016
- Author, Ohio Supreme Court: Form Oil and Gas Lease Not Void as Against Public Policy, McGuireWoods Legal Alert, January 29, 2016
- Author, Ohio Supreme Court Invalidates Local Oil and Gas Regulation, McGuireWoods Legal Alert, February 26, 2015
- Author, Pa. Supreme Court Denies Equitable Tolling of Oil and Gas Lease’s Primary Term, McGuireWoods Legal Alert, February 24, 2015
- Author, European Commission Releases Energy Security Strategy, Further Defining Opportunities for US Energy Companies in Europe, McGuireWoods Legal Alert, June 9, 2014
- Co-author, "EU Response to Ukraine Crisis May Help US Energy Cos.," Law360, May 9, 2014
- Author, Pennsylvania Trial Court Confirms Non-Severable Nature of “Dual-Purpose” Oil and Gas Production and Storage Leases, McGuireWoods Legal Alert, April 30, 2014
- Author, Situation in Ukraine Likely to Generate Opportunities in Europe for U.S. Energy Companies, McGuireWoods Legal Alert, April 28, 2014
- Author, Pennsylvania Superior Court Rules that Withheld Royalty Payments Could Not Void Oil and Gas Lease, McGuireWoods Legal Alert, October 11, 2013
- Selected for inclusion in Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch, Commercial Litigation, 2021-2025
- Named to “Pennsylvania Rising Stars,” Business Litigation, Super Lawyers, Thomson Reuters, 2022