David B. Gerger

David B. Gerger

Houston, TX recognized lawyers icon Recognized in Best Lawyers since 2001
Gerger Hennessy Martin & Peterson LLP

2 Best Lawyers awards

Gerger Hennessy Martin & Peterson LLP logo

Awarded Practice Areas

Criminal Defense: White-Collar Bet-the-Company Litigation
*Named the "Lawyer of the Year" in this practice area in the 2026 edition in Houston.

Biography

The biggest victory is quietly stopping a case, and David has helped clients avoid charges in many DOJ,SEC, and other government investigations.

But David is equally known for courtroom and appellate victories – including antitrust, environmental, health care, securities, immigration, commodities, banking, bribery, government contracts, and others. He also has been recruited to try civil cases, sometimes shortly before trial.

Cases include: Acquittal of the Boeing pilot charged in the 737 MAX indictment; Exoneration of the BP engineer tried for pollution and manslaughter in the Deepwater Horizonblowout; Presidential pardon for a businessman who was accused of violating Iran trade sanctions; Representing the CFO of Enron in his criminal, civil, SEC and other ordeals; Reversal on appeal for Dynegy’s Jamie Olis (and then winning18 year reduction in sentence); Reversal on appeal of the Ahmad Clean Water Act case; Acquittal in the Marine Hose Price Fixing trial; Dismissal of all charges in the Propane Commodities Manipulation indictment; Dismissal of all felony charges in the IFCO immigration fraud indictment; Successful defense of the Metal Building Insulation Price Fixing trial.

David is a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers and the American Board of Criminal Lawyers. He is “Chambers & Partners” Band 1 for White-Collar Crime & Government Investigations – Texas (each year since 2017), where he is described as “held in the very highest regard by peers and clients: ‘extraordinarily good judgment;’ ‘very strategically intelligent;’ ‘incredibly successful trial work; ’‘soothing demeanor.’” David is a former Federal Public Defender who has been listed in “Best Lawyers in America” (Woodward White, Inc.) since 1999 and “Super Lawyers” (Thomson Reuters) since 2003.

Gerger Hennessy Martin & Peterson LLP

2 Best Lawyers awards

Gerger Hennessy Martin & Peterson LLP logo

Overview

  • The University of Texas, graduated 1985
  • Yale University, graduated 1982

  • Texas, 1985

  • Southern District of Texas
  • Northern District of Texas
  • Western District of Texas
  • Eastern District of Texas
  • Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals
  • Texas, 1985
  • The University of Texas, graduated 1985
  • Yale University, graduated 1982
  • Southern District of Texas
  • Northern District of Texas
  • Western District of Texas
  • Eastern District of Texas
  • Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals

Client Testimonials

Awards & Focus

Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2026 - Criminal Defense: White-Collar Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2024 - Criminal Defense: White-Collar Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2016 - Criminal Defense: White-Collar Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2010 - Criminal Defense: White-Collar
Named "Lawyer of the Year" by Best Lawyers® for:
  • Criminal Defense: White-Collar, Houston (2026)
  • Criminal Defense: White-Collar, Houston (2024)
  • Criminal Defense: White-Collar, Houston (2016)
  • Criminal Defense: White-Collar, Houston (2010)
Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America® 2026 for work in:
  • Bet-the-Company Litigation
  • Criminal Defense: White-Collar
Additional Areas of Practice:
  • Energy Law

Case History

Cases
  • USA v. Mark Forkner
Acquittal of the Boeing pilot charged in the 737 MAX indictment.

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