Cristina E. Rodriguez
Partner Litigation, Arbitration, and Employment
Languages
English, Spanish
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Overview
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Experience
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Credentials
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Insights and events
Chambers USA"[A]n incredible lawyer."
Cristina Rodriguez is an experienced jury trial lawyer whose practice includes commercial, trade secrets, employment, professional liability, and securities litigation in state and federal court. Most recently, Cristina won a verdict of US$152 million in a federal trade secrets misappropriation case. Some of Cristina’s other trials include the assertion of patent infringement and trade secret misappropriation claims against a nursing home operator in Texas federal court, the defense of an accounting firm in a fraud case in Kentucky state court, the defense of a global consulting firm in a misappropriation of trade secrets suit in Texas federal court, and the defense of an accounting firm in a malpractice suit in Texas state court. She also handles sensitive internal investigations.
As published in Chambers USA, Cristina’s clients have called her “an incredible lawyer,” and describe her as “a tough litigator and fabulous trial lawyer” who has “great experience advising multinational companies, with great customer service and legal advice.”
Cristina has been named the "Litigator of the Week" by The American Lawyer. Her trial results have also been highlighted in The American Lawyer, The National Law Journal, Law360, Texas Lawyer, and Texas Lawbook.
Diversity, equity, and inclusion have always been important to Cristina. She serves on the Hogan Lovells Americas Diversity Committee. This appointment allows her to have key input into the firm’s highest-level strategy and initiatives around diversity and inclusion. Cristina is also the Diversity Chair of our Houston office.
Chambers USA 2021"She is a tough litigator and fabulous trial lawyer."
Representative experience
Obtained US$152,290,000 jury verdict for trade secrets misappropriation, breach of contract, and tortious interference with contract.
Asserted patent infringement, trade secret, and breach of contract claims against nursing home operator in three-week trial in Texas federal court, obtaining a judgment of US$24 million.
Represented an investment bank in complex securities dispute arising from sale of notes secured by deepwater drill ship.
Defended a midstream energy company against claims of sex and age discrimination brought by a former executive.
Defended tax strategy-related claims against an accounting firm in seven-week bench trial in Kentucky state court.*
Represented an accounting firm in the defense of a US$1bn securities fraud class action in New York federal court.*
Defended at trial a misappropriation of trade secrets claim against a global consulting firm in Texas federal court.*
Challenged municipal air quality ordinances on constitutional grounds, helping clarify Texas law regarding preemption.*
Obtained summary judgment on a joint employer theory in favor of a professional basketball team facing claims of sexual orientation discrimination under the New York City Human Rights Law.*
*Matter handled prior to joining Hogan Lovells.
Related case studies
Fighting intellectual property theft – securing the largest trade secrets verdict in the U.S. in 2021
Credentials
- J.D., Harvard Law School, cum laude, 1995
- B.A., University of Miami, summa cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa, 1992
- Texas
- U.S. Court of Appeals, Fifth Circuit
- U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Texas
- U.S. District Court, Northern District of Texas
- U.S. District Court, Southern District of Texas
- U.S. District Court, Western District of Texas
- CROSSROADS Community Partnership for Youth, Board of Directors, 2000-2007; Chairperson of the Board, 2006
- HBA Gender Fairness Task Force, Co-Chair, 2005-2006
- HBA Minority Opportunities in the Legal Profession Committee, Co-Chair, 2008-2009
- Houston Bar Association
- Houston Young Lawyers Foundation
- Leadership Texas, 2004
- Phi Beta Kappa Alumni Association of Greater Houston, Board of Directors, 2007-2013
- State Bar of Texas Pattern July Charge Committee (Business, Consumer, Insurance, Employment), 2005-2009
- Texas Supreme Court Advisory Committee, 2015-2017