Eugene Zilberman

Sharp, quick-witted and versatile, Eugene Zilberman thrives in high-pressure situations like trial and arbitration. His ability to grasp complicated issues and absorb key details quickly has allowed him to effectively represent clients across a wide-range of industries including energy, agriculture and healthcare. Taking pride in his generalist practice, Eugene enjoys immersing himself in his client’s business and translating that understanding to judges and juries so that he can achieve successful results for his clients. 

Indeed, at trial, on appeal, and everything in between, Eugene has obtained successful results for his clients. Most recently, along with other members of the SKV trial team, he secured a successful settlement for his client, a large fertilizer distributor, following one week of a multi-week jury trial against a large chemical manufacturer after the dissolution of the parties’ long-term relationship.  Likewise, during the pandemic, he and an SKV trial team were involved in one of the longest bench trials conducted over Zoom in Texas state courts; his client emerged from the unorthodox trial with a $147 million award.  Similarly, Eugene has helped obtain dismissals of cases at pretrial stages and successfully handled multiple appeals—most recently arguing a case in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit.  In recognition of his efforts, Eugene has been recognized as One to Watch by Best Lawyers and a “Rising Star” by Super Lawyers since 2022. 

Eugene moved to New York City from Russia at the age of three. He attended Rutgers University, graduating summa cum laude, before attending the University of Virginia School of Law. While there, he served on the Editorial Board of the Virginia Journal of Law and Politics and participated on the Extramural Moot Court team. After law school, Eugene clerked for the Honorable Eric L. Clay on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit and worked in the New York City office of Sullivan & Cromwell before joining SKV in 2018.

Eugene enjoys giving back to the community. He serves on the Criminal Justice Act Panel for the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit and regularly takes on prisoner appeals.  An avid soccer player, he also anchors the midfield for teams across various leagues, including an organization that provides refugees an opportunity to play soccer alongside other Houstonians.  Off the field and outside the office, Eugene enjoys spending time with friends and family, listening to audiobooks, playing chess and taking his quirky Keeshond, William, on long walks.

Commercial Litigation

• Secured a multi-million dollar verdict on behalf of a private energy trading company after a five-week bench Zoom trial—believed at the time to be the longest virtual trial in Texas state court. 

• Defended a Fortune 500 health care organization in a two-week jury trial in Texas State Court.

• Secured a favorable settlement for a New York based private equity firm in connection with a large pipeline explosion that resulted in significant injuries. 

• Successfully represented a prisoner seeking Habeas relief on appeal in the United States Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals. 

• Obtained dismissal of a securities class action in Texas State Court for an international client alleging violations of the Securities Act of 1933 in connection with the company’s IPO and other offerings. 

• Won motion to compel arbitration in breach of contract case filed against client real estate company on appeal. 
• Participated in a six-week jury trial representing former executives of a publicly-traded oil and gas company that were accused of breach of fiduciary duty, fraud, and conspiracy.