Honors and Awards:

• Phi Delta Phi (Active Life Honor Roll for 1967 at Roberts Inn, University of Texas)
• Order of the Coif
• Named as one of Houston's "Top Lawyers" for 2005 and 2007 by H Texas Magazine.
• American Jurisprudence Award for Contracts

Special Licenses/Certifications:

• Certified Civil Trial Advocate, National Board of Trial Advocacy
• Board Certified in Civil Trial Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization
• Board Certified in Personal Injury Trial Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization

Bar/Professional Activity:

• Member of the Board of Governors of the Houston Chapter of The Propeller Club of the United States;  Member of the Board of Directors of the Harmonie Group;
• Served on the National Board of Trial Advocacy, State Bar of Texas Districts 4-A (1981-83) and 4-C (1994-98) Grievance Committees, District Committee on Attorney Admissions, 1968-1970; Special Counsel, Commission on Lawyer discipline, 1992-1994.
• Member, Federal Bar Association, American Bar Association, State Bar of Texas, Houston Bar Association, College of the State Bar of Texas, Maritime Law Association of the United States (Life Member), Association of Trial Lawyers of America, The Association of Average Adjusters of the United States, Association of Transportation Practitioners, Houston Maritime Arbitrators Association, The Propeller Club of the United States, International Association of Defense Counsel; Defense Research Institute, Bar Association of the Fifth Circuit, Houston Mariners Club, Trucking Industry Defense Association.

Pro bono/Community Service:

• Mr. Sims has spearheaded firm efforts on behalf of organizations in the Houston area, including industry groups such as the Greater Houston Partnership and International Association of Drilling Contractors.  The firm's contribution to the Gulf Coast area includes the handling of pro bono legal efforts and support of organizations as diverse as the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, the Houston International Seafarers' Center, the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, and the American Cancer Society.

Verdicts and Settlements:

• Marubeni-Iida (America), Inc. v. Toko Kaiun Kabusiki Kaisha, 327 F.Supp. 519, 1971 A.M.C., 1920, 15 Fed.R.Serv. 2d 391, , S.D.Tex., May 12, 1971 (Civ. A. No. 69-H-1048.)
• Mitsui & Co. (U.S.A.) v. Toko Kaiun Kabushiki Kaisha, 342 F. Supp. 14, 1973 A.M.C., 1574, , S.D.Tex., April 11, 1972 (Civ. A. No. 70-H-206.)
• Sumitomo Shoji America, Inc. v. Steamship Aurora II, 342 F.Supp. 298, S.D.Tex., April 12, 1972 (Civ. A. No. 70-H-1272.)
• Toyomenka, Inc. v. Toko Kaiun Kabushiki Kaisha, 342 F.Supp. 292, 1973 A.M.C. 1566, , S.D.Tex., April 12, 1972 (Civ. A. No. 70-H-1246.)
• Bank of New Orleans & Trust Co. v. Big B Towboat Services, Inc., 435 F.Supp. 997, , E.D.Mo., April 29, 1977 (Civ. A. 77-105-C(1).)
• Arkwright-Boston Mfrs. Mut. Ins. Co. v. Bauer Dredging Co., Inc., 74 F.R.D. 461, 1978 A.M.C. 208, , S.D.Tex., April 29, 1977 (Civ. A. No. 75-H-330.)
• Nilo Barge Line, Inc. v. M/V Bayou Dularge, 442 F.Supp. 18, , E.D.Mo., October 21, 1977 (Nos. 77-0272A(1) and 77-0394A(1).)
• Magnus Maritec Intern., Inc. v. S. S. St. Panteleimon, 444 F.Supp. 567, 1978 A.M.C. 687, , S.D.Tex., January 25, 1978 (Civ. A. No. 75-H-1596.)
• Trade Arbed, Inc. v. S/S Ellispontos, 482 F.Supp. 991, , S.D. Tex., January 07, 1980 (Civ. A. No. H-78-1615.)
• Mifsud v. Palisades Geophysical Institute, Inc., 484 F.Supp. 159, , S. D.Tex., February 08, 1980 (Civ. A. No. H-78-2216.)
• U. S. v. Hollywood Marine, Inc., 487 F.Supp. 1211, 14 ERC 1354, 1981 A.M.C. 2647, 10 Envtl. L. Rep. 20,569, , S.D. Tex., April 15, 1980 (Civ. A. No. H-78-173.)
• Naviera Mercante, S.A. v. Northrup King Co., 491 F. Supp. 508, 1981 A.M.C. 1758, , S.D. Tex., June 12, 1980 (Civ. A. No. H-78-1697.)
• Gebr. Bellmer KG. v. Terminal Services Houston, Inc., 523 F.Supp. 941, , S.D. Tex., September 09, 1981 (Civ. A. No. H-79-191.)
• Crispin Co. v. M/V Morning Park, 578 F.Supp. 359, 1985 A.M.C. 766, , S.D. Tex., January 27, 1984 (Civ. A. No. H-82-1707.)
• Munusamy v. McClelland Engineers, Inc., 579 F.Supp. 149, 1984 A.M.C. 2248, , E.D. Tex., January 30, 1984 (Civ. A. Nos. B-81-800-CA, B-82-143-CA and B-82-709 CA.)
• Uncle Ben's Rice, Inc. v. M/V Author, Not Reported in F.Supp., 1984 WL 940, 1984 A.M.C. 168, , S.D. Tex., January 31, 1984 (C. A. No. H-81-3289.)
• Munusamy v. McClelland Engineers, Inc., 590 F.Supp. 891, , E.D. Tex., July 12, 1984 (Civ. A. Nos. B-81-800-CA, B-82-143-CA and B-82-709-CA.)
• Dorety v. Avondale Shipyards of Texas, Inc. 672 F.Supp. 962, 1988 A.M.C. 2090, , S.D. Tex., January 16, 1987 (Civ. A. No. H-81-2732.)
• Filho v. Pozos Intern. Drilling Services, Inc., 22 F.Supp. 94, , S.D. Tex., June 02, 1987 (Civ. A. Nos. H-86-3068, H-86-3380.)
• Matter of Lloyd's Leasing Ltd., 697 F.Supp. 289, 1988 WL 105834, 1988 A.M.C. 1992, , S.D. Tex., January 22, 1988 (No. Civ. A. G-84-293.)
• Tamini v. M/V Jewon, 699 F.Supp. 105, 1988 WL 119802, 1988 A.M.C. 2093, , S.D. Tex., April 22, 1988 (Civ. A. No. H-87-1053.)
• Echols v. Elf Aquitane Explorations, Inc., Not Reported in Supp., 1992 WL 428230, 1992 A.M.C. 2760, S. D. Tex., July 13, 1992 (Civ. A. No. G-92-48.)
• DeBello v. Brown & Root, Inc. 809 F.Supp. 482, 1992 WL 381043, 1993 A.M.C., 1808, , E.D. Tex., December 21, 1992 (No. 1:92 CV 185.)
• Aegon Ins. Co., Ltd. v. Willamina Lumber Co., 844 F.Supp. 332, 1994 WL 37945, , S.D. Tex., February 15, 1994 (Civ. A. No. H-93-3597.)
• Potomac Ins. Co. of Illinois v. Peppers, 890 F.Supp. 634, 1995 WL 385466, S.D. Tex., June 26, 1995 (Civ. A. No. H-94-4227.)
• Hi-Port, Inc. v. American Intern. Speciality Lines Ins. Co., 22 F.Supp.2d 596, 1997 WL 1049022
• Duratherm, Inc. v. Onsite Technology LLC, 141 F.Supp.2d 657, 2001 WL 520940, S.D.Tex., January 30, 2001 (CIV.A. No. H-00-2727)
• Smirch v. Allied Shipyard, Inc., 164 F.Supp.2d 903,2001 WL 1131316, S.D.Tex, September 21, 2001 (No. Civ.A.G-01-057)
• Seabulk Offshore, Ltd. V. Dyn Marine Services, Inc., 201 F.Supp.2d 751, 2002 WL 1050327, S.D.Tex., May 22, 2002 (Civil Action No. G-02-170)
• Magana v. Hammer & Steel, Inc., 206 F.Supp.2d 848,2002 WL 1277098, S.D.Tex., June 6, 2002 (No.CIV.A.G.-02-180)
• Acceptance Indem. Ins Co. V. Southeastern Forge, Inc., 209 F.R.D. 697,2002 WL 31269576, 54 Fed.R.Serv.3d 417, M.D.Ga., October 3, 2002 (No. 4:00-CV-103-1 (CDL))
• J.T. Thorpe Co. V. American Motorists, Not Reported in F.Supp.2d, 2003 WL 23323005, S.D. Tex., June 9, 2003 (No. Civ.A. H-02-4598)
• Senior Living Properties, LLC v. Admiral Ins. Co., Not Reported in F.Supp.2d, 2003 WL 22995195, N.D.Tex., October 17, 2003 (No. Civ.A.3:03-CV-1634-G.)
• Admiral Ins. Co. V. Heath Holdings USA, Inc., Not Reported in F.Supp.2d, 2004 WL 1144062, N.D. Tex., May 21, 2004 (No. Civ.A. 3:03-CV-1634G.)
• Bliss v. Hancock Fabrics, Inc., Not Reported in F.Supp.2d, 2005 WL 1155116, S.D. Tex., May 13, 2005 (No. Civ.A. H-04-1255)
• Admiral Ins. Co. V. Heath Holdings USA, Inc., Not Reported in F.Supp.2d, 2005 WL 3500286, N.D. Tex., December 21, 2005 (No. Civ.A. 3:03CV1634-G)
• In re:  Ephedra Products Liability, Not Reported in F. Supp.2d, 2006 WL 435556, S.D.N.Y., February 21, 2006 (Nos. 04 MD 1598 (JSR), 06 Civ. 538 (JSR), 06 Civ. 539 (JSR))
• Targa Midstream Services Ltd. Partnership v. K-Sea Transp. Partners, L.P., Not Reported in F. Supp.2d, 2006 WL 2520914, 62 ERC 1860, S.D. Tex, April 20, 2006 (No. Civ.A. G-05-629)
• In re: Ephedra Products Liability Litigation, 478 F.Supp.2d 624, 2007 WL 891334, 73 Fed. R. Evid Serv. 319, S.D.N.Y., March 26, 2007 (No. 04 M.D. 1598(JSR))
• Peterson v. Union Pacific R. Co., Not Reported in F. Supp. 2d, 2007 WL 1847129, C.D. Ill, June 22, 2007 (Nos. 06-CV-3084, 06-CV-3101, 06-CV-3102, 06-CV-3107)
• Tucker Energy Services, Ltd. V. Hydraquip Corp., Slip Copy, 2007 WL 2409571, S.D. Tex, August 20, 2007 (Civil Action No. H-05-1265)
• Allice Trading, Inc. V. Shaw Environmental, Inc., Slip Copy, 2007 WL 2873375, S.D. Tex., September 28, 2007 (Civil Action No. H-06-217)
• Petersen v. Union Pacific R. Co., Not Reported in F.Supp.2d, 2008 WL 630607, C.D.Ill, March 5, 2008 (No. 06-3084)
• U.S. v. Le Beouf Bros. Towing Co., Inc., 537 F.2d 149, 9 ERC 1118, 1976 A.M.C. 1416, 6 Envtl. L. Rep. 20,708, C.A.5 (LA), August 16, 1976 (Nos. 74-3140, 74-2849)
• Gebr. Bellmer Kg. V. Terminal Services Houston, Inc., 711 F.2d 622, 1986 A.M.C. 607, C.A.5 (Tex), August 8, 1983 (No. 81-2387)
• McClelland Engineers, Inc. V. Munusamy, 784 F2d 1313, C.A.5 (Tex), March 24, 1986 (No. 84-2549)
• Klepac v. Champlin Petroleum Co., 842 F.2d 746, 1988 WL 28761, C.A.5 (Tex), March 9, 1988 (No. 87-2877 Summary Calendar)
• Tamini v. Salen Dry Cargo AB, 866 F.2d 741, 1989 WL 9402, 1989 A.M.C. 892, C.A.5 (Tex), January 13, 1989 (No. 88-2518 Summary Calendar
• Molett v. Penrod Drilling Co., 872 F.2d 1221, 1989 WL 43825, C.A.5 (LA), May 19, 1989 (No. 84-4136)
• Molett v. Penrod Drilling Co., 878 F.2d 829, 1989 WL 79096, C.A.5 (LA), July 20, 1989 (No. 88-4136)
• Picco v. Global Marine Drilling Co., 900 F.2d 846, 1990 WL 52578, 1990 A.M.C. 1976, 22 Collier Bankr.Cas.2d 1762, 16 Fed.R.Serv.3d 937, Bankr. L. Rep. P 73,396, C.A.5 (Tex.), May 15, 1990
• Doddy v. Oxy USA, Inc., 101 F.3d 448, 1996 WL 691849, 36 Fed.R.Serv.3d 1531, 135 Oil & Gas Rep. 586, 11 Tex.Bankr.CTRep. 12,45 Fed. R. Evid. Serv. 1447, C.A.5 (Tex), December 18, 1996
• Marine Indem. Ins. Co. Of America v. Lockwood Warehouse & Storage, 115 F.3d 282, 1997 WL 295704, C.A.5 (Tex.), June 4, 1997
• Loper v. Dufrene, 84 Fed.Appx. 454, 2004 WL 34858, C.A.5 (La.), January 4, 2007
• Mbaba v. Societe Air France, 457 F.3d 496, 2006 WL 2054043, C.A.5 (Tex.), July 25, 2006
• Martin Midstream Partners v. Boone Towing Inc., 207 Fed.Appx. 439, 2006 WL 3431321, C.A.5 (Tex.), November 29, 2006
• Martin Midstream Partners v. Boone Towing Inc., 225 Fed.Appx. 265, 2007 WL 1170881, C.A.5 (Tex.), April 18, 2007

Representative Clients:

• 24-Hour Fitness Air France Ace Lab, Inc. Ace USA Administrators for the Professions of Delaware, Inc. AEGIS Insurance Services AIG Claim Services, Inc. AIG Mexico Seguros Interamericana S.A. de C.V. AIG Technical Services, Inc. AIG World Source AIU Insurance Company AIU North America, Inc. ALCOA AM Risk American Equity Underwriters Inc. American Habilitation Services, Inc. American Home Assurance Company American Insurance Adjustment Agency, Inc. American International Recovery American International Underwriters Corp. American Marine Agency, Inc. American Maritime Agencies, Inc. American Reinsurance Company American Shipping & Chartering, Inc. Anheuser Busch Companies AON Insurance Services AON Risk Services, Inc. Apartment Investment and Management Company Apex Universal, Inc. Aramark Corporation ARCH Insurance Company Army and Air Force Exchange Service Aspen Specialty Insurance Co. Atlantic Lines and Navigation Co. Atlantic Sounding Co., Inc. Atwood Oceanics, Inc. Bailey's Offshore Catering, Inc. Banco Capital/El Salvador BG Holdings, Inc. Big Tex Trailers, Inc. Birmingham Fire Insurance Co. Blackmon Mooring Steamatic, Inc. Blockbuster, Inc. Boat Owners Association of the U.S. Bridgeworks Commercial Management, Inc. Broadspire Brown & Brown, Inc. d/b/a/ BB Trucking Brown & Root, Inc. Butterworth Systems, Inc. Cargill, Inc. Casey Electric, Inc. Ceres Gulf, Inc. Chaparral Stevedoring Company of Texas, Inc. Chubb Insurance Group Cinemark USA, Inc. Cincinnati Insurance Company CNA Global Insurance CNA Insurance Company CNA/MOAC Colonial Penn Insurance Comfort Systems, USA Commercial Underwriters Insurance Company Connecticut Specialty Insurance Group ConocoPhillips Company Constitution State Services Continental Insurance Companies Cooper/T. Smith Stevedoring Company Corporate Personnel Services & Temps, Inc. Crawford & Company CLS North America CSX Lines, L.L.C. Cudd Pressure Control, Inc. Cunningham Lindsey U.S., Inc. Cushman, Inc. Delta Steel, Inc. Diversified Group, Inc. Edminister, Hinshaw, Russ and Associates Educational Catering, Inc. Employers General Insurance of Texas Encompass Services Corporation Engle Martin & Associates Ensource Corporation Enterprise Products Company Entertainment Brokers International Equilon Enterprises LLC ESIS, Inc. E-Z -GO division of Textron, Inc. F.A. Richard & Associates Fairways Offshore Exploration Federal Barge Lines, Inc. Ferrellgas, Inc. Ferrostall Corporation Fina Oil & Chemical Company Financial Guardian, Inc. Fireman's Fund Insurance Companies Forestry Equipment of Virginia, Inc. Fremont Comp. GAB Robins Gainey Insurance Services Gallagher Bassett Services, Inc. Georgia Casualty & Surety Company Gerling America Insurance Companies Global Industries, Ltd. Global Petroleum Company Gray Insurance Co. Great American Insurance Company Grieg Insurance Guaranty National Insurance Company Guidant Insurance, Inc. Gulfcoast Marine Gulfcoast Transit Company, Inc. Gulf Insurance Group, Inc. Halliburton, Inc. Halliburton Energy Services Hapag-Lloyd (America), Inc. Harmony Corporation Hickham Industries Hodges Trucking Hosokawa Micron International, Inc. Houston Casualty Company Houston Dynamic Service, Inc., a division of Allis-Chalmers Equipment Houston Sea Packing Company Houston Ship Repair Hoyer Global (USA), Inc. Hoyer Odjfell, Inc. Indiana Insurance Company Insurance Company of the State of Pennsylvania Integrated Runoff Insurance Services Corp. International Maintenance Company International Solutions International Technology Corporation ITT Specialty Risk Services, Inc. J. Ray McDermott S.A. Jiffy Lube International, Inc. John Deere Insurance Company "K" Line America, Inc. K-Sea Transportation Corp. Kemper Group Kerr-McGee Corporation Kirby Marina, Inc. Kreilkamp Trucking, Inc. LaFarge North America, Inc. Letzow & Associates Lexington Insurance Company Liberty Mutual Insurance Company LSR Management, Inc. M-I, L.L.C. Marine Office of America Corporation Matthews-Daniel Company McDermott, Inc. Merastar Insurance Company Miller Energy, Ltd. Mobile Mini, Inc. Murmansk Shipping Co. Mustang Claim Services Mutual Marine Office National Elevator Inspection Services, Inc. National Marine Service National Steel Erectors, Inc. National Union Fire Insurance Company of Pittsburgh PA. Navigators Insurance Services of Texas New Hampshire Insurance Group New York Marine Managers NMA Maritime & Offshore Contractors, Inc. Norsteel Marine Service North American Specialty Insurance Company Odyssey Reinsurance Corporation Offshore Express, Inc. Offshore International Group Offshore Specialty Fabricators, Inc. Old Republic Insurance Co. One Beacon Insurance Otis Engineering Co. Parker Drilling Company Patterson Services, Inc. PC Environmental Facilities, Inc. Penske Truck Leasing Corp. Petro-Tech Peruana S.A. Petro United Terminals, Inc. Philadelphia Indemnity Insurance Company Plymouth Sales Company, Inc. Port Container Industries Preferred Risk Group Premier Cruises ProTexn, Inc. Professional Liability Insurance REM Insurance Services REOC Property Services, L.L.C. Rogers & Philips, Inc. RPC Incorporated ROI Entertainment, Inc. RSKCo Services, Inc. Russian Texas Shipping Corp. Safeco Insurance Company of America Sanderson Farms, Inc. St. Paul Fire & Marine Insurance Companies St. Paul Travelers Companies Sea-Land Services, Inc. Sedgwick CMS Self Insured Services Company (Sisco) Seneca Insurance Co. Servpro, Inc. Shaw Environmental, Inc. Shaw Group, Inc. Shell Oil Company Shipowners Claim Bureau, Inc. Signal Administration, Inc. Skandia America Group Somerset Insurance Services Southern Guaranty Insurance Companies Southern Marine & Aviation Underwriters Southern Research Company, Inc. Sphere Drake Insurance Company SRS/Legacy Claim Services St. Paul/Travelers Insurance Companies Sun Transportation, Inc. Swiss Re Tauber Oil TECO Energy, Inc. Tempest Marine Services, Inc. Tesoro Petroleum Company Texas Marine & Industrial Supply Company Texas Marine Underwriters Texas Mutual Insurance Company Texas Property & Casualty Guaranty Insurance Assoc. Texas Select Lloyds Insurance Group Texas Workers' Compensation Insurance Fund Textron, Inc. The Dow Chemical Company The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company The Gray Insurance Company The Hartford The Home Depot The Shaw Group Inc. The Standard Steamship Owners' Protection & Indemnity Association The Steamship Mutual Underwriting Association (Bermuda), Ltd. The Wackenhut Corporation Traffic Supply Company TransGuard Insurance Company Trinity Universal Insurance Companies Tudor Insurance Company Turner Industries Twin Laboratories, Inc. Union Pacific Resources Company United National Group Unitrin Property and Casualty Insurance Group Unocal Corp. Utica Mutual Insurance Company Vanliner Insurance Company Veritas DGC Vesta Forsikring AS VF Intimates, Inc. W.W. Rowland Trucking Company Wausau Insurance Companies Watkins Associated Industries Weeks Marine, Inc. West of England P & I Club Westco Claims Management Services, Inc. Western Geophysical Company of America Western World Insurance Company Westfield Group White Consolidated Industries XL Insurance Group XL Specialty, an XL Capital Company XLA Insurance York Claims Service, Inc. York Claims Service, Inc. York STB, Inc. Zenith Administrators Zurich-American Insurance

Educational Background:

• In 1963, Mr. Sims graduated from the University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA).  He earned his Doctor of Jurisprudence from the University of Texas School of Law in 1967.  There he was a member of the Order of the Coif and Phi Delta Phi legal fraternity and won the American Jurisprudence Award for Contracts.