Leading Litigator Jarett Dillard Rejoins Kilpatrick in Houston

HOUSTON (August 18) – Kilpatrick announced today the return of Jarett Dillard to the Firm as Counsel on its nationally recognized Complex Commercial Litigation Team. Mr. Dillard, who previously served clients from Kilpatrick’s Houston office, rejoins from Husch Blackwell.

“We are pleased to welcome Jarett back to Kilpatrick,” said Gwendolyn Payton, Co-Leader of the Complex Commercial Litigation Team. “His experience handling complex commercial disputes—from EPC contract negotiations to construction defect litigation—makes him a strong addition. Jarett’s practical, client-focused approach and his ability to manage multi-faceted commercial matters align with the high level of service our clients expect.”

Mr. Dillard focuses his practice on complex commercial litigation, helping clients address disputes ranging from construction projects to general breach of contract matters. He drafts and negotiates engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) contracts protecting clients on complex commercial, energy, and renewable energy projects. Mr. Dillard is well-versed in mechanic’s lien disputes and resolves issues arising from defective or incomplete work through litigation, arbitration, or other business-appropriate strategies.

His broader commercial practice includes negotiating agreements, representing plaintiffs and defendants in breach of contract litigation, and leading national commercial litigation efforts encompassing real estate disputes and matters involving federal, state, and local regulations. Mr. Dillard also provides ongoing compliance counsel to businesses across industries including construction, energy, and oil and gas.

“I am excited to be returning to Kilpatrick,” said Jarett Dillard. “I know firsthand the quality of the attorneys and the collaborative culture that defines this Firm. Kilpatrick’s platform and commitment to serving clients in the construction, energy, and commercial litigation spaces provide the ideal environment to deliver creative, efficient solutions for the complex challenges my clients face.”

Mr. Dillard earned his J.D. from South Texas College of Law, where he competed on the school’s renowned Moot Court team, and his B.A. in Political Science from Rice University. Before law school, he was a standout wide receiver at Rice University and a Biletnikoff Award finalist who was drafted by the Jacksonville Jaguars in the 2009 NFL Draft, playing in the NFL for more than four seasons. He was inducted into the Rice Athletic Hall of Fame in 2015 and received the NFL’s Ed Block Courage Award in 2011.

Mr. Dillard has been named to “Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch” for Construction Law and Construction Litigation by Best Lawyers in America for 2026 and the five years prior. He was honored with the Retha Swindell Athletic and Community Service Award in 2025 by the Texas Black Legacy Foundation. Mr. Dillard is admitted to practice in Texas and before the U.S. District Courts for the Northern, Southern, and Western Districts of Texas.

Active in the Houston community, Mr. Dillard serves as a Board Member of the City of Houston Contract Compliance Commission and Co-chair of LEAD (Letting Everyone Achieve Dreams) Houston. He advises indigent clients through the Houston Bar Association’s LegalLine program, where his pro bono representation has included successfully defending a Hurricane Harvey victim against a contractor seeking damages for unperformed work.

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