Andrew K. York
Associate
1601 Elm Street, Suite 4600
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A four-time selection as a "Rising Star" by Texas Monthly and Law & Politics magazine in only his first sixyears of practice, Drew's philosophy is to take on an aggressive, cost-effective approach in representing his clients. His work primarily in business litigation with a focus on complex commercial litigation and class action/mass torts, including representative trial experience in the In re Genetically Modified Rice Litigation multidistrict litigation in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri. Drew also focuses on the burgeoning area of governmental immunity from breach of contract claims. His article "Is Your City Contract Safe?" was published in the August 4, 2008 issue of Texas Contractor Magazine .
Area of Practice
Recent News
Representative Experience
Class Action and Mass Tort Experience
In re Genetically Modified Rice Litigation
Part of trial team that obtained a $48 million judgment in the Circuit Court of Lonoke County, Arkansas against Bayer AG, Bayer CropScience AG, and Bayer CropScience LP for damages sustained by twelve rice farmers as a result of the presence of Bayer's LLRICE 601 and LLRICE 604 genetically modified rice found in the U.S. commercial rice supply. The jury verdict, and corresponding judgment, awarded the twelve farmers one hundred percent of the compensatory damages sought (approximately $6 million) and $42 million in punitive damages. Bayer is currently appealing the judgment.
Part of trial team that obtained a $2 million judgment against Bayer AG, Bayer CropScience AG, Bayer CropScience LP, and Bayer BioScience NV for damages sustained by two Missouri rice farmers as a result of the presence of Bayer's LLRICE 601 and LLRICE 604 genetically modified rice found in the U.S. commercial rice supply. The trial was the first of five "bellwether" trials in the In re Genetically Modified Rice Litigation multidistrict litigation (U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Missouri). Plaintiffs had sought approximately $2.25 million in damages.
Part of trial team that obtained a $1.5 million judgment for three Arkansas farmers and one Mississippi farmer against Bayer AG, Bayer CropScience AG, Bayer CropScience LP, and Bayer BioScience NV in the second "bellwether" trial in the In re Genetically Modified Rice Litigation multidistrict litigation proceedings (U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Missouri). Plaintiffs had sought just under $2 million in damages.
In re Genetically Modified Rice Litigation , 576 F.Supp.2d 1063 (E.D. Mo. 2008): Successfully opposed German holding company Bayer AG's challenges to the court's juris diction in multidistrict litigation proceedings. Bayer AG sought dismissal alleging it had in sufficient contacts in Missouri and the other rice growing states to allow the court to exercise jurisdiction over the company. The court denied Bayer AG's efforts to avoid jurisdiction and found that Bayer AG acted through one of its wholly-owned subsidiaries, Bayer CropScience AG, which had already conceded the court's jurisdiction.
Chinese-Manufactured Drywall:
Represent and defend homebuilder against homeowner's claims associated with Chinese-manufactured drywall, and prosecute homebuilder's claims against its drywall suppliers and manufacturers relating to same.
Other Commercial Litigation Experience
Represent and defend homebuilder against homeowners' claims associated with Chinese-manufactured drywall.
Government Contracts and Sovereign/Governmental Immunity Experience
Represent wholesale electricity company in reviewing contracts with state and local government agencies in Texas and Illinois.
Represent waste disposal company in reviewing contracts with state and local government agencies in Texas.
Professional Activities, Memberships & Affiliations
U.S. District Court, Northern, Eastern and Southern District of Texas.
State Bar of Texas.
Publications & Speeches
Education
Baylor Law School (J.D., cum laude , 2005)
Articles Editor, Baylor Law Review
Baylor Law School Order of Barristers.
Southwestern University (B.A. Economics, 2002)
Honors
Selected for inclusion in Texas Super Lawyers - Rising Stars Edition 2008-2011.
