Randy Roach and his oral argument team are frequently asked to assume oral argument responsibility, either for presenting the argument or preparing someone else, in major appeals across the country. The winner of national speaking awards in high school and college, Randy won two senior moot court competitions in law school at the University of Texas. Since 1990, he has co-taught judge-centered oral argument skills with appellate judges at the University of Houston and University of Texas schools of law. His judge-centered and question-driven approach to oral argument has been the subject of dozens of CLE presentations including more than 15 panels of judges at state and national programs. His well-known views on oral argument have also been published repeatedly, including by the Texas State Bar in its publication on Practice Before the Texas Supreme Court. He and his team are frequently asked to present oral argument in cases briefed by other law firms, and he has taught an advanced law school class on that precise topic.
Representative engagements include:
- Engaged after trial by top pharmaceutical manufacturer to present oral argument in Texas Supreme Court as Petitioner opposite former Justice of that Court regarding product liability and fraud in a case of first impression. Coordinated closely with top national trial and appellate firm resulting in unanimous reversal.
- Engaged after trial by major international oil company to present oral argument as Appellant in 5th circuit ten days later in $20M coverage appeal, working closely with biglaw Dallas trial and appellate firm.
- Engaged after trial by Baptist church to present oral argument as Respondent to Texas Supreme Court resulting in Texas officially becoming an eight-corners insurance coverage state. Coordinated closely with church’s primary trial and appellate law firm.
- Engaged by leading national hospital equipment manufacturer to present successful oral argument to En Banc 5th Circuit. Coordinated closely with client’s Louisiana trial and appellate firm.
- Engaged as Petitioner by largest international metals company to present oral argument in Texas Supreme Court to permit undesignated expert witness on gross negligence. Coordinated closely with client’s national law firm.
- Engaged by top Texas trial firm to present oral argument to Texas Supreme Court regarding fiduciary duties and interpretation of an attorney’s engagement agreement.
- Engaged by major national construction company to present oral argument in Texas Supreme Court as Respondent after that court granted review. Engagement entailed close cooperation with national biglaw coverage firm and top Texas trial firm.
- Engaged to present oral argument to the 5th Circuit as Appellant in $2B appeal of order remanding case to state court for lack of jurisdiction.
- Engaged by top national class action firm to present oral argument in U.S. 5th Circuit as Appellant. Coordinated closely to obtain reversal from court in less than one week from oral argument.
- Engaged by French oil company to present oral argument in the 5th Circuit appealing adverse summary judgment. Coordinated closely with client’s primary U.S. trial and appellate firm.
- Engaged by international shipping company to present oral argument as Appellant in Houston court of appeals two weeks later regarding default judgment. Coordinated closely with client’s primary U.S. trial and appellate firm.
Before beginning his practice of law, Randy was a championship debater and moot courter and held numerous speaking awards in high school, college, and law school. Randy won the Superior Speaker award at High School Nationals, represented Washington D.C. in the Bicentennial Youth Debates in college, and in law school won two Senior moot court competitions.
Developed over 50 years of public speaking experience at a championship level, Randy has taught law students and lawyers advanced oral argument skills in 30 years of law school classes at the University of Houston and University of Texas – Austin and in over 75 CLE programs.
