Caitlin E. Gernert is a seasoned litigator whose practice focuses on high-stakes energy, construction, and infrastructure disputes in state and federal courts and in arbitration.
Caitlin represents a broad range of clients across the energy industry, including oil and gas producers, midstream operators, power generators, LNG developers, renewable energy companies, and wastewater disposal companies. Her practice encompasses the full range of commercial disputes, including breach of contract and warranty claims, joint venture and partnership disagreements, fraud and fraudulent inducement claims, tortious interference, indemnity litigation, and a broad range of other commercial and business tort claims arising in the energy and infrastructure sectors. Caitlin also serves as trusted defense counsel to companies facing mass tort and product liability litigation.
In her construction and infrastructure practice, Caitlin counsels project owners, contractors, and developers on disputes arising from major capital projects, including delay and disruption claims, design and construction effects, and contractor performance disputes.
Caitlin has tried cases in state and federal courts and handled arbitrations across the full litigation lifecycle, from initial case strategy and complex discovery through expert development, dispositive motions and trial.
- Second-chaired a federal bench trial for an oil and gas servicing provider in a highly contentious personal injury action, presenting and cross-examining seven witnesses, including five experts, and successfully arguing key pretrial motions—and obtained a favorable result for the client.*
- Second-chaired a state-court bench trial for an oil and gas servicing provider involving breach of contract claims, resulting in a favorable settlement for the client.*
- Obtained summary judgment dismissing a corporate defendant with prejudice in an employment discrimination action on behalf of an oil and gas servicing provider in the Eastern District of Texas, and helped achieve a subsequent global settlement of all claims through mediation.
- Obtained summary judgment dismissing a corporate defendant with prejudice in an employment discrimination action on behalf of an oil and gas servicing provider in the Eastern District of Texas, and helped achieve a subsequent global settlement of all claims through mediation.*
- Led case strategy and discovery in a complex breach of contract and negligence action involving thru-bit logging operations that resulted in plaintiffs’ voluntary dismissal of action after first deposition.*
- Directed strategy and discovery in a state-court force majeure dispute brought against saltwater-disposal client that resulted in a favorable settlement for the client.*
* Experience prior joining Clifford Chance
News and client work
Contact details
- Clifford Chance, Houston
- +1 832 200 2542
- Email me
- Sector Energy & resources
Career & qualifications
- Southern Methodist University (BA) 2010
- Tulane University School of Law (JD) 2014
- Admitted as an Attorney-at-Law in Texas 2014
- Joined Clifford Chance US LLP as partner 2026
Awards and citations
- Recognized in Best Lawyers in America®, “Ones to Watch for Commercial Litigation” (2021–2026)
- Recognized in Best Lawyers in America®, “Ones to Watch for Energy Law” (2024–2026)
- Recognized in Best Lawyers in America®, “Ones to Watch for Alternative Dispute Resolution” (2026)
- Recognized in Best Lawyers in America®, “Ones to Watch for Oil & Gas Law” (2026)
- Recognized in Best Lawyers in America®, “Ones to Watch for Product Liability Litigation - Defendants” (2026)
- Super Lawyers “Rising Stars” in 2024 for Business Litigation