Melanie Rother

Norton Rose Fulbright US LLP

Melanie Rother is a versatile energy lawyer and law firm leader based in Norton Rose Fulbright's Houston office. In addition to her robust trial practice, she is the global law firm's Co-Head of Energy and Infrastructure in the US, responsible for overseeing a team of lawyers that is part of one of the largest and most dynamic energy practices in the world.

Her more than 20-year national disputes resolution and litigation practice focuses primarily on complex business disputes in the energy and technology and innovation sectors. As lead counsel, Melanie advises a wide range of businesses, including exploration and production companies, midstream companies, chemical companies and oilfield product and service companies.

Melanie regularly advises clients and leads commercial and contract disputes arising from purchase and sale agreements, non-disclosure agreements, joint venture and development agreements, construction agreements, Area of Mutual Interest (AMI) agreements, and other such matters. Additionally, she frequently prosecutes and defends disputes involving false advertising, unfair competition, trade secret misappropriation, personal injury claims, trademark/trade dress, and copyright infringement.

Her vast experience includes representing clients as plaintiff and defendant in disputes before state and federal courts across the country and before arbitration panels. She also represents clients in international and cross-border disputes. She has been first chair in multiple trials, arbitrations, and evidentiary hearings, including recent success litigating a Lanham Act case to jury verdict and arguing appeals to the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals.