Luke J. Gilman
Practice Areas
Experience
- Arbitration
- Blockchain & Digital Assets
- Business Litigation
- Digital
- Entertainment Litigation
- Entertainment, Digital, & Sports
- International
- Latin America Inbound – Spanish
- Latin America Outbound – English
- Media
- Media Litigation
Biography
Luke Gilman is a trial and arbitration attorney who focuses on resolving complex disputes in a variety of industries. Luke has developed particular areas of focus in international and domestic arbitration, media-related and technology-related disputes, and internal investigations, in addition to a general commercial and contract litigation practice.
Luke’s experience in arbitration includes awards under AAA, ICC, ICDR, and UNCITRAL rules in varied locals such as London, New York, and Mexico City. He has also represented media defendants in a number of media disputes in Texas, California, New York, Florida, and Utah. Luke is also frequently called on to handle issues involving technology such as commercial disputes between technology companies, information security practices, fraud involving electronic systems, overseeing computer forensic investigations in support of internal investigations and investigations under the Foreign Corrupt Practice Act (FCPA), and managing defensible and efficient electronic discovery. Prior to law school, Luke worked for eight years in the field of information technology.
Luke remains active as an alumnus of the University of Houston Law Center, serving as faculty for NITA Deposition Training Courses, and coaching moot court teams in national competitions, and in 2017, was invited to address the incoming class of 1Ls as they began their law school career.
Luke is also active in publishing articles on various legal issues in his areas of practice and has served as an editor of the international arbitration publications the World Arbitration and Mediation Review (WAMR) and is the executive editor of the ITA in Review. Luke also serves as the Young Member Group chair for the Chartered Institute of International Arbitrators.
Luke is also active in the community, having served as a volunteer prosecutor for the City of Houston and serving on the board of the Hispanic Bar Association of Houston (HisBA) and on the Advisory Board of the Center for Children, Law & Policy at the University of Houston Law Center, where he was formerly Program Director for two years while in law school. Luke remains active in legal issues affecting children, including juvenile defense, education, foster care, and human trafficking.
Education
B.A., magna cum laude, University of Houston
M.B.A., Rice University
J.D., University of Houston Law Center
- Order of the Barristers
- Distinguished Service Award
- Moot Court Board
- National Order of the Scribes
- Houston Law Review, Internet Publishing Editor; awarded “Best Paper in an Emerging Area of Law” and “Most Outstanding Contribution by a Third Year Member”
Bar Admissions
Texas
Court Admissions
United States District Court for the Eastern, Northern, Southern, and Western Districts of Texas
United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit
- Along with Jackson Walker partners Chip Babcock and Amanda Zimmerman, Luke represented a Texas District Court Judge before a Special Court of Review appointed by the Chief Justice of the Texas Supreme Court and obtained a complete exoneration for her use of social media to educate the public about proceedings in her courtroom. In re Slaughter, 480 S.W.3d 842, 845 (Tex. Spec. Ct. Rev. 2015).
- Along with Jackson Walker partners John Edwards and Amanda Bush, Luke represented a local newspaper on appeal in a widely-publicized libel case. The judgment against the newspaper was vacated by the Texas First Court of Appeals, a win that was affirmed by the Texas Supreme Court. Brady v. Klentzman, 515 S.W.3d 878 (Tex. 2017), reh’g denied (June 2, 2017).
- Along with Jackson Walker partner Kent Sullivan, Luke represented an offshore drilling company in ICDR arbitration proceedings in a breach of contract dispute.
Along with Jackson Walker partner Richard Griffin, Luke represented a leading cosmetics company in breach of fiduciary duty claims against its former Chief Technology Officer. - Along with Jackson Walker partners Amy Baird and Richard Howell, Luke represented a midstream company in a AAA arbitration proceeding.
Along with Jackson Walker partner John Edwards, Luke represented an oil field services company in pursuing theft of trade secrets and Computer Fraud and Abuse Act claims in federal court in Houston against a former executive. - Along with Jackson Walker partner Chip Babcock, Luke represented the Dr. Phil Show and obtained early dismissal of claims in federal court in Utah.
Along with Jackson Walker partner Jeff Burbach, Luke represented an oil and gas consulting company in ICC arbitration proceedings against a major oil and gas producer in a breach of contract dispute. - While working full-time through law school, Luke served as President of the Evening Law Student Association, was appointed to the Moot Court Board and represented the law school in a number of moot court competitions, winning best brief in the Southwest regional Jessup International Law Moot. He also served as a member of the Houston Law Review, where he received awards for âBest Paper in an Emerging Area of Lawâ and âMost Outstanding Contribution by a Third Year Member.â Upon graduation, Luke was awarded the âDistinguished Service Awardâ by a vote of the law school faculty.
- The Best Lawyers in America (Woodward/White Inc.), 2021-2026
- Commercial Litigation, 2021-2026
- International Arbitration – Commercial, 2026
- Texas Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers by Thomson Reuters, 2023-2025
- President’s Award, Hispanic Bar Association of Houston (HisBA), 2018, 2021
- Texas Rising Star, Super Lawyers – Rising Stars by Thomson Reuters, 2015-2020
- Co-Chair of Houston Bar Association’s Law Week Committee, 2017-2018
- Life Fellow, Texas Bar Foundation, 2016
- Life Fellow, Houston Young Lawyers Foundation, 2014
Publications
- “Private Juries Within the Arbitration Framework: A Third Path In Dispute Resolution,” Pepperdine Dispute Resolution Law Journal, Vol. 21, No. 457Â (2021)
- “Texas Adapts Rules for Service of Lawsuits to the New Reality of How We Communicate,” Jackson Walker Insights (August 2020)
- Kent Sullivan & Luke Gilman, “Creative Places to Find a Smoking Gun: New Forms of E-Discovery,” Todayâs General Counsel (2017)
- Developments in Fifth Circuit Civil Procedure Law
- 2015-2016, 49 Tex. Tech L. Rev. 613 (2017)
- 2014-2015, 48 Tex. Tech L. Rev. 651 (2016)
- 2013-2014, 47 Tex. Tech L. Rev. 449 (2015)
- 2012-2013, 46 Tex. Tech L. Rev. 699 (2014)
- 2011-2012, 45 Tex. Tech L. Rev. (2013)
- 2010-2011, 44 Tex. Tech L. Rev. 939 (2012)
- 2009-2010, 43 Tex. Tech L. Rev. 989 (2011)
- Globalaw, Globalaw Litigation Guide
- “Ethics Corner: ABA Weighs In on Ethical Boundaries of Social Media Research on Jurors in Voir Dire,” MediaLawLetter (2014)
- Chip Babcock & Luke Gilman, “Use of Social Media in Voir Dire,” 60 The Advocate 44, Fall (2012)
Speaking Engagements
- “Diversifying the Legal Profession, One Student at a Time,” Jackson Walker Fast Takes Podcast (July 2020)
- “How Texas Courts Are Becoming Expert Zoom Users,” Jackson Walker Fast Takes Podcast (April 2020)
- âBlockchain: A Legal Perspectiveâ presented at the SWALL/HALL Joint Conference, Houston, Texas (April 6, 2018)
- âKeeping the Oath You Take: An Address to New Law Studentsâ University of Houston Law Center (2017)
- Panel Presentation, âThe Ethics of Jury Cyberstalking,â Kansas University School of Law 27th Annual Media & the Law Seminar (2014)
In the News
- “The penalty for wrongfully cremating grandma can be severe, but one attorney takes it to a new level,” Houston Chronicle (August 29, 2018)
- Leadership Council on Legal Diversity (LCLD), Fellow
- Houston Bar Association Alternative Dispute Resolution Committee, Litigation Section Liaison
- Hispanic Bar Association of Houston (HisBA), Board of Directors, Immediate Past President
- Globalaw, Leadership Programme
- Houston Committee on Foreign Relations (HCFR)
- Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (CIArb)
- Garland Walker Inn of Court
- Houston International Arbitration Club (HIAC)
- Covenant House Texas, Young Professionals Board
- Grace Bible Church, Partner
- Wesley Community Center, Vice Chair
- Greater Houston Partnership, Business Resource GroupâTalent Resources Group
Jackson Walker Congratulates 2025 Texas Super Lawyers and Rising Stars
Jackson Walker is pleased to announce the recognition of 75 attorneys by Thomson Reutersâ Super Lawyers in the 2025 “Texas Super Lawyers” list, as well as 66 attorneys as “Texas Rising Stars” for 2025. Each year, less than 5% of attorneys are selected to Super Lawyers and 2.5% to Rising Stars. Selection is based off of peer nominations that are then reviewed by a research team. Each nominee is evaluated on his or her professional accomplishments, peer recognition, and community involvement.
Attorney News • September 18, 2025
âThe Best Lawyers in Americaâ Features 350 Jackson Walker Attorneys in 2026 Edition, Including 10 âLawyers of the Yearâ and 106 âOnes to Watchâ
The Best Lawyers in America, a widely regarded guide to legal excellence, has recognized 350 Jackson Walker attorneys across 87 specialty practice areas in its 2026 edition, including 10 Lawyers of the Year and 106 Ones to Watch.
Attorney News • August 21, 2025
Luke Gilman, Mahira Khan, and Miguel Ortiz Selected to Participate in Leadership Council on Legal Diversity Programs
Jackson Walker is pleased to announce the selection of Luke J. Gilman, Mahira Khan, and Miguel A. Ortiz to participate in training programs offered by the Leadership Council on Legal Diversity (LCLD).
Attorney News • February 13, 2025
Jackson Walker Congratulates Its âTexas Super Lawyersâ of 2024
Jackson Walker proudly announces the selection of 71 attorneys to Thomson Reutersâ 2024 âTexas Super Lawyersâ list.
Each year, less than 5% of attorneys in Texas are named to the list. Selection is based off of peer nominations that are then reviewed by a research team. Each nominee is evaluated on his or her professional accomplishments, peer recognition, and community involvement.
Attorney News • September 17, 2024
Jackson Walker Congratulates Its “Texas Super Lawyers” of 2023
Each year, less than 5% of attorneys in Texas are named to the list. Selection is based off of peer nominations that are then reviewed by a research team. Each nominee is evaluated on his or her professional accomplishments, peer recognition, and community involvement.
Attorney News • September 19, 2023
‘The Best Lawyers in America’ Honors 287 Jackson Walker Attorneys in 2024 Edition, Including 12 “Lawyers of the Year” and 80 “Ones to Watch”
The Best Lawyers in America has recognized 287 Jackson Walker attorneys across 5 offices and 82 specialty practice areas in its 2024 edition, including 12 Lawyers of the Year and 80 Ones to Watch. In this yearâs guide, Jackson Walker saw the largest number of attorneys in the areas of Commercial Litigation (66 attorneys) and Real Estate Law (60 attorneys) and the addition of 35 attorneys as Best Lawyers.
Attorney News • August 17, 2023
‘The Best Lawyers in America’ Honors 214 Jackson Walker Attorneys in 2023 Edition, Including 11 “Lawyers of the Year” and 41 “Ones to Watch”
The Best Lawyers in America has recognized 214 Jackson Walker attorneys across 6 offices and 79 specialty practice areas in its 2023 edition, including 11 Lawyers of the Year and 41 Ones to Watch. Best Lawyers listings are based on an exhaustive peer review survey of thousands of attorneys who vote on the legal abilities of others in their practice areas.
Attorney News • August 18, 2022
Force Majeure in Gas Contracts: The Winter Storm? | Texas Lawyer
By Luke Gilman | Though under some circumstances mundane or recurring events such as âfreezing weatherâ can constitute âacts of God,â the âpricing fluctuationâ or âmarket conditionsâ that often accompany these events do not, unless specifically included within the scope of the force majeure clause. As a result, courts in Texas and other jurisdictions, when addressing questions of force majeure in the context of gas supply contracts, have undertaken a case-by-case analysis to force majeure based on the language of the contracts and the unique circumstances of each event.
Insights • February 7, 2022
‘The Best Lawyers in America’ Honors 178 Jackson Walker Attorneys in 2022 Edition, Including 8 “Lawyers of the Year” and 31 “Ones to Watch”
The Best Lawyers in America has recognized 178 Jackson Walker attorneys across 6 offices and 67 specialty practice areas in its 2022 edition, including 8 Lawyers of the Year and 31 Ones to Watch. Best Lawyers listings are based on an exhaustive peer review survey of thousands of attorneys who vote on the legal abilities of others in their practice areas.
Attorney News • August 19, 2021
Private Juries Within the Arbitration Framework: A Third Path in Dispute Resolution
As state and federal courts struggled with scheduling civil cases amid the COVID-19 pandemic, parties resorted to arbitration to speed up the resolution of their disputes. In an article contributed to Pepperdine Dispute Resolution Law Journal, Jackson Walker partners Lionel M. Schooler and Luke Gilman discussed the flexibility arbitration offers parties, the logistics of such a procedure, and enforceability of an arbitration award.
Insights • June 15, 2021
JW Media | VIA ePostcard â October 2020
Featuring “US Supreme Court Grabs Attention of Tech Giants as Past Immunity Granted by Section 230 Is Called Into Question,” “Establishment of Press Council Marks Milestone in Reform Process,” “The First Amendment Is the Soul of Our Democracy,” “Here We Are Now, Entertain Us,” and Firm-related news and highlights.
Newsletters • October 30, 2020
Texas Adapts Rules for Service of Lawsuits to the New Reality of How We Communicate
Coming soon to your email or direct message inboxââYouâve been served.â The Texas Supreme Court has announced upcoming changes to the Texas Rules of Civil Procedure, including one that will allow litigants to serve a lawsuit through social media or email beginning January 1, 2021.
Insights • August 28, 2020
âThe Best Lawyers in Americaâ Honors 164 Jackson Walker Attorneys in 2021 Edition, Including 9 âLawyers of the Yearâ and 25 “Ones to Watch”
Jackson Walker congratulates the 164 attorneys who were selected by their peers as Best Lawyers, including 9 Lawyers of the Year and 25 Ones to Watch, across 6 offices and 66 specialty practice areas.
Attorney News • August 20, 2020
Practice Experience
- Along with Jackson Walker partners Chip Babcock and Amanda Zimmerman, Luke represented a Texas District Court Judge before a Special Court of Review appointed by the Chief Justice of the Texas Supreme Court and obtained a complete exoneration for her use of social media to educate the public about proceedings in her courtroom. In re Slaughter, 480 S.W.3d 842, 845 (Tex. Spec. Ct. Rev. 2015).
- Along with Jackson Walker partners John Edwards and Amanda Bush, Luke represented a local newspaper on appeal in a widely-publicized libel case. The judgment against the newspaper was vacated by the Texas First Court of Appeals, a win that was affirmed by the Texas Supreme Court. Brady v. Klentzman, 515 S.W.3d 878 (Tex. 2017), reh’g denied (June 2, 2017).
- Along with Jackson Walker partner Kent Sullivan, Luke represented an offshore drilling company in ICDR arbitration proceedings in a breach of contract dispute.
Along with Jackson Walker partner Richard Griffin, Luke represented a leading cosmetics company in breach of fiduciary duty claims against its former Chief Technology Officer. - Along with Jackson Walker partners Amy Baird and Richard Howell, Luke represented a midstream company in a AAA arbitration proceeding.
Along with Jackson Walker partner John Edwards, Luke represented an oil field services company in pursuing theft of trade secrets and Computer Fraud and Abuse Act claims in federal court in Houston against a former executive. - Along with Jackson Walker partner Chip Babcock, Luke represented the Dr. Phil Show and obtained early dismissal of claims in federal court in Utah.
Along with Jackson Walker partner Jeff Burbach, Luke represented an oil and gas consulting company in ICC arbitration proceedings against a major oil and gas producer in a breach of contract dispute. - While working full-time through law school, Luke served as President of the Evening Law Student Association, was appointed to the Moot Court Board and represented the law school in a number of moot court competitions, winning best brief in the Southwest regional Jessup International Law Moot. He also served as a member of the Houston Law Review, where he received awards for âBest Paper in an Emerging Area of Lawâ and âMost Outstanding Contribution by a Third Year Member.â Upon graduation, Luke was awarded the âDistinguished Service Awardâ by a vote of the law school faculty.
Recognition & Accolades
- The Best Lawyers in America (Woodward/White Inc.), 2021-2026
- Commercial Litigation, 2021-2026
- International Arbitration – Commercial, 2026
- Texas Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers by Thomson Reuters, 2023-2025
- President’s Award, Hispanic Bar Association of Houston (HisBA), 2018, 2021
- Texas Rising Star, Super Lawyers – Rising Stars by Thomson Reuters, 2015-2020
- Co-Chair of Houston Bar Association’s Law Week Committee, 2017-2018
- Life Fellow, Texas Bar Foundation, 2016
- Life Fellow, Houston Young Lawyers Foundation, 2014
Publications & Speeches
Publications
- “Private Juries Within the Arbitration Framework: A Third Path In Dispute Resolution,” Pepperdine Dispute Resolution Law Journal, Vol. 21, No. 457Â (2021)
- “Texas Adapts Rules for Service of Lawsuits to the New Reality of How We Communicate,” Jackson Walker Insights (August 2020)
- Kent Sullivan & Luke Gilman, “Creative Places to Find a Smoking Gun: New Forms of E-Discovery,” Todayâs General Counsel (2017)
- Developments in Fifth Circuit Civil Procedure Law
- 2015-2016, 49 Tex. Tech L. Rev. 613 (2017)
- 2014-2015, 48 Tex. Tech L. Rev. 651 (2016)
- 2013-2014, 47 Tex. Tech L. Rev. 449 (2015)
- 2012-2013, 46 Tex. Tech L. Rev. 699 (2014)
- 2011-2012, 45 Tex. Tech L. Rev. (2013)
- 2010-2011, 44 Tex. Tech L. Rev. 939 (2012)
- 2009-2010, 43 Tex. Tech L. Rev. 989 (2011)
- Globalaw, Globalaw Litigation Guide
- “Ethics Corner: ABA Weighs In on Ethical Boundaries of Social Media Research on Jurors in Voir Dire,” MediaLawLetter (2014)
- Chip Babcock & Luke Gilman, “Use of Social Media in Voir Dire,” 60 The Advocate 44, Fall (2012)
Speaking Engagements
- “Diversifying the Legal Profession, One Student at a Time,” Jackson Walker Fast Takes Podcast (July 2020)
- “How Texas Courts Are Becoming Expert Zoom Users,” Jackson Walker Fast Takes Podcast (April 2020)
- âBlockchain: A Legal Perspectiveâ presented at the SWALL/HALL Joint Conference, Houston, Texas (April 6, 2018)
- âKeeping the Oath You Take: An Address to New Law Studentsâ University of Houston Law Center (2017)
- Panel Presentation, âThe Ethics of Jury Cyberstalking,â Kansas University School of Law 27th Annual Media & the Law Seminar (2014)
In the News
- “The penalty for wrongfully cremating grandma can be severe, but one attorney takes it to a new level,” Houston Chronicle (August 29, 2018)
Community Involvement
- Leadership Council on Legal Diversity (LCLD), Fellow
- Houston Bar Association Alternative Dispute Resolution Committee, Litigation Section Liaison
- Hispanic Bar Association of Houston (HisBA), Board of Directors, Immediate Past President
- Globalaw, Leadership Programme
- Houston Committee on Foreign Relations (HCFR)
- Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (CIArb)
- Garland Walker Inn of Court
- Houston International Arbitration Club (HIAC)
- Covenant House Texas, Young Professionals Board
- Grace Bible Church, Partner
- Wesley Community Center, Vice Chair
- Greater Houston Partnership, Business Resource GroupâTalent Resources Group