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  1. Professionals

Rachael E. Thompson

Associate

Houston

+1 713-651-2786

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  • Overview
  • Experience
  • Credentials
  • Insights & News

Rachael focuses her practice on high-stakes complex commercial matters and international disputes. She leverages her extensive knowledge to advise clients, domestic and international, in a variety of sectors including energy, financial services, and manufacturing.

Rachael has experience defending and litigating cases in both federal and Texas state courts. She also has experience before international arbitral tribunals under LCIA Rules, from initial dispute negotiation through discovery, written pleadings, and merit hearings. She has gained substantial experience in drafting pre- and post-hearing submissions for international arbitrations and in motion practice for complex energy disputes.

Rachael brings the same passion from her practice to her pro bono work, which has included representing clients in voting rights and guardianship matters as well as a Hague Convention International Child Abduction case.

Prior to joining Winston, Rachael clerked for the Honorable Ewing Werlein, Jr. in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas. She also interned for the Honorable Lee Rosenthal in the Southern District of Texas. Rachael uses the detailed legal writing and analysis skills she honed in the judiciary, to assist her clients.

Key Matters

  • Representing state-owned entity against global energy corporations in international arbitrations under Texas law regarding contractual dispute based on the parties’ North American Energy Standards Board (NAESB) contract.
  • Representing an international bank in enforcing a foreign judgment against state-owned entity.
  • Represented an oilfield services provider in obtaining a favorable settlement in multi-year invoice dispute.
  • Represented an international oil and gas company in obtaining dismissal of Title VII claims.
  • Represented an English citizen seeking the return of his sons to England pursuant to the Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction treaty.
  • Represented individuals with visual disabilities in obtaining absentee ballot accommodations.

Rachael was recognized in the 2025 edition of Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® in America in the area of Commercial Litigation.

  • ABA Section of Litigation’s International Litigation and Alternative Dispute Resolution sub-committee, Editor 
  • ABA International Law Section's 2024 Americas Conference – The Future of Energy Across the Americas: Helping Lawyers Predict and Adapt, Organizing Committee Member
  • Houston Bar Association, Houston Lawyer Editorial Board
  • Houston Bar Association, Behind the Lines Podcast Interviewer 
  • Arbitral Women
  • Houston Association of Women Attorneys 
  • Houston Chapter of Christian Legal Society
  • Order of the Coif
  • Winston & Strawn Pro Bono Committee

Capabilities

Litigation/Trials
Commercial Litigation & Disputes
International Arbitration
Intellectual Property
Labor & Employment
Oil & Gas
Energy
Infrastructure
Technology, Media & Telecommunications
Financial Services

Key Matters

  • Representing state-owned entity against global energy corporations in international arbitrations under Texas law regarding contractual dispute based on the parties’ North American Energy Standards Board (NAESB) contract.
  • Representing an international bank in enforcing a foreign judgment against state-owned entity.
  • Represented an oilfield services provider in obtaining a favorable settlement in multi-year invoice dispute.
  • Represented an international oil and gas company in obtaining dismissal of Title VII claims.
  • Represented an English citizen seeking the return of his sons to England pursuant to the Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction treaty.
  • Represented individuals with visual disabilities in obtaining absentee ballot accommodations.

Credentials

Education

Rachael received her J.D., magna cum laude, from the University of Houston Law Center in 2019. While serving as a senior articles editor for the Houston Law Review, Rachael received the award for Best Comment in the Field of Health Law. She completed her M.A. in English from Duquesne University. Rachael received her B.A., with distinction, in English from Pennsylvania State University, where she was a graduate of the University Scholars Program and a member of Phi Beta Kappa. 

    Admissions
    • Texas
    Clerkships
    • USDC - Southern District of TX for the Honorable Ewing Werlein, Jr.
    • USDC - Southern District of TX for the Honorable Ewing Werlein, Jr.

    Related Insights & News

    Publications

    • “Vacating or Modifying an Arbitration Award in Texas State Court,” Thomson Reuters Practical Law, Co author, July 2024
    • “Appeals Court Rules Courts Must Address Class Action Waivers Before Certifying Class,” Winston & Strawn, Class Action Insider, Co-author, 2023

    • “Overdraft Fee Litigation May Follow Renewed Regulatory Interest,” Winston & Strawn Class Action Insider, Co-author, 2021
    • “Searching for Fairness: Examining the Texas Advance Directives Act in Light of the Clear and Convincing Evidence Standard,” 46 Houston Law Review 667, 2019

    Sponsorship
    Winston Sponsors the 13th ITA-IEL-ICC Joint Conference on International Energy Arbitration

    January 16, 2025

    Blog
    Winston Kicks Off Sixth Cohort of D&I Associate Sponsorship Program and Graduates the Class of 2023-2024

    November 25, 2024

    Article
    Vacating or Modifying an Arbitration Award in Texas State Court

    October 4, 2024

    Recognitions

    Winston Attorneys Recognized in Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® in America 2025

    August 15, 2024

    Sponsorship
    Winston & Strawn Sponsors ABA ILS Energy Conference

    February 27, 2024

    Blog
    Appeals Court Rules Courts Must Address Class Action Waivers Before Certifying Class

    September 20, 2023

    Blog
    Circuit Split Highlights Bristol-Myers Squibb’s Effect on FLSA Actions

    December 21, 2022

    Blog
    Overdraft Fee Litigation May Follow Renewed Regulatory Interest

    December 23, 2021

    View All Insights & News

    Capabilities

    Litigation/Trials
    Commercial Litigation & Disputes
    International Arbitration
    Intellectual Property
    Labor & Employment
    Oil & Gas
    Energy
    Infrastructure
    Technology, Media & Telecommunications
    Financial Services
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