People

Overview

Ariel House represents plaintiffs and defendants in a broad range of high-stakes litigation matters in federal, state, and appellate courts across the country, with a particular focus on complex business litigation. She has extensive experience in litigating and negotiating disputes involving contracts, mergers and acquisitions, consumer products, intellectual property, and securities fraud, among others.

Ariel is a hands-on trial lawyer with substantial experience handling all aspects of litigation, including direct and cross-examinations of both expert and fact witnesses at jury and bench trials. Ariel is also adept at resolving cases at all stages of litigation.

Admission & Affiliations

  • State Bar of Texas
  • State Bar of California
  • United States Courts of Appeals for the Fifth and Ninth Circuits
  • United States District Courts for the Northern and Southern Districts of Texas
  • United States District Courts for the Northern and Central Districts of California
  • J.D., University of California at Los Angeles School of Law 2011
    Finalist, Outstanding Brief Writer, and Distinguished Advocate, Roscoe Pound Moot Court Competition, Spring 2010
  • B.A., Political Science & Public Policy, Southern Methodist University 2008
    summa cum laude

Experience

  • Represented an SEC receiver in numerous litigation matters, at both the trial and appellate levels, arising out of a multi-billion-dollar securities fraud. Ariel was a member of the trial team in the case against a group of defendants that provided banking services to Stanford, which settled for over $1.6 billion, therefore bringing the total litigation recoveries for the Receivership to over $2.7 billion.
  • Represented technology company in dispute arising from an acquisition and earn-out payment, and related advancement proceedings, involving an alleged $100-million-dollar fraud arising from an acquisition of a technology company.
  • Represented consumer products company in dispute arising from an asset purchase agreement involving claims for breach of contract, breach of the implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing, fraudulent inducement, and civil conspiracy.
  • Defended health care company in dispute arising from a software license agreement involving claims for breach of contract, fraudulent inducement, theft of trade secrets, and copyright infringement.
  • Defended electric utility in breach of contract dispute arising from the development of a power plant, which resulted in significant victory on summary judgment.
  • Represented streaming service in dispute involving claims of patent infringement and fraudulent transfers.
  • Represented real estate developer in breach of contract dispute.
  • Represented former professional athlete in proceeding before the U.S. Olympic Committee.
  • Represented company and its high-level executives in antitrust class action.
  • Represented transportation network company in several lawsuits alleging antitrust violations and other business torts.
  • Represented company at  jury trial involving breach of contract, fraud, and breach of fiduciary duty claims.
  • Represented the University of California in dispute regarding patent assignment agreement.
  • Defended an investment adviser in SEC investigation and action alleging violations of the Investment Advisers Act.
  • Defended beverage manufacturer in several consumer class actions across the country challenging the labeling and marketing of a well-known diet soda brand; obtained wins at motion to dismiss stage in California and New York, which were upheld on appeal by the Ninth Circuit and Second Circuit.
  • Defended beverage manufacturer in numerous consumer class actions in the United States and Canada challenging the labeling and marketing of another popular soft drink; in the leading case, reached favorable settlement following significant partial victory at summary judgment; eventually obtained favorable nationwide settlement.
  • Defended manufacturer of enhanced flavored water in false advertising and labeling consumer class action; obtained victory on summary judgment.
  • Represented recycling company in employment class actions.