Lauren is an effective business litigator and has a track record of securing clients’ victories in high stakes, bet the company litigation, with first chair litigation experience in cases ranging from tens of millions to a billion dollars in dispute. Valkenaar focuses her practice on complex commercial litigation concerning contractual provisions, breach of fiduciary duties and fraud for clients across many industries, including technology, cybersecurity, real estate, construction, oil and gas, pharmaceuticals, financial institutions and transportation. She is experienced in all stages of the litigation process, from pre-suit investigation through motions practice, trial and appellate procedures.
Lauren has been heavily involved with prosecuting and defending commercial claims across the nation in both state and federal jurisdictions. She is experienced in conducting corporate internal investigations and advising clients through business decisions when litigation has been threatened. Lauren has litigated fiduciary conduct arising from trust and estates disputes, pursued litigation to halt competitors’ false advertising, validated bonds through expedited trial proceedings and defended against election challenges. She was recently recognized by Super Lawyers by Thomson Reuters in the Texas Rising Stars list from 2021 to 2024.
-
J.D. – Valedictorian, Summa Cum Laude, St. Mary’s School of Law
B.A. – Magna Cum Laude, Political Science, Trinity University
While in law school, Lauren was an advocate on the External Advocacy Moot Court Team and served as Executive Managing Editor for the St. Mary’s Law Journal. During her first year of law school, she was awarded “Best Brief” in her law school section and “Best Advocate” in the annual competition judged by the Fourth Court of Appeals judiciary. Lauren was also a member of the John Marshall Harlan Honor Society and the Phi Delta Phi International Legal Honors Fraternity. -
Texas State Bar
United States District Court for the Northern District of Texas
United States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas
United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas
United States District Court for the Western District of Texas
United States Bankruptcy Court for the Western District of Texas
United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit
United States Supreme Court
-
Litigation – General Commercial, USA Guide 2023, 2024, 2025 - Chambers and Partners
Best S.A. Lawyers – Business Litigation, SA Scene Magazine, 2017, 2018, 2020-2025
Texas Rising Stars, Super Lawyers by Thomson Reuters, 2021-2024
Outstanding Women in Law, Scene in S.A., 2021-2022, 2025
Distinguished Young Alumna Award, St. Mary’s School of Law Alumni Association, 2023
Leading Commercial Litigator of the Year – USA, Leading Advisor Awards, 2023
Top Young Attorneys, Texas Monthly, 2021-2022
Best S.A. Female Lawyer – Business Litigation, SA Scene Magazine, 2021
Rising Star – Business & Commercial Litigation, SA Scene Magazine, 2017-2021
Top Attorney in San Antonio, San Antonio Magazine, 2021
Best of the Bar, 2020 Top 100 Verdicts
Feature, “Women in Law Raising the Bar,” San Antonio Women Magazine, May/June 2019
Feature, “Striving for Excellence,” Attorney At Law Magazine, October 2019
10 Under 10 Honoree – St. Mary’s University School of Law, 2017
-
Presenter, “Real Estate Litigation Strategies,” 19th Annual Advanced Real Estate Strategies, State Bar of Texas, 2025
Moderator, “Milestones and Momentum: A Judicial Perspective of the Texas Business Court at One Year,” Association of Corporate Counsel, 2025
Moderator, “Winning Strategies: A General Counsel’s Approach to Leading In-House Teams, Litigation and Client Management,” Association of Corporate Counsel, 2025
Speaker, “Recent Texas Supreme Court Updates Related to Real Estate Contracts,” State Bar of Texas 46th Annual Advanced Real Estate Law, Chapter 3, 2024
Speaker, “Key Texas Supreme Court Rulings Impacting Contract Construction and Real Estate Jurisprudence,” State Bar of Texas 26th Annual Summer School: Sun, Sand, and CLE for the General Practitioner, 2024
Speaker, "Efficiency and Ethics: Artificial Intelligence’s Impact on Corporate Counsel Part II", Association of Corporate Counsel, 2024
Speaker, "Expanding Downtown Horizons: Understanding Director Duties and Downtown Developments", Association of Corporate Counsel, San Antonio Chapter, 2023
Speaker, “Special CLE Round Table: Efficiency and Ethics: Artificial Intelligence’s Impact on Corporate Counsel”, Association of Corporate Counsel, San Antonio Chapter, 2023
Speaker, “Recent Texas Supreme Court Updates Related to Real Estate Contracts”, Advanced Real Estate Law, State Bar of Texas 45th Annual Course, 2023
Speaker, “E-Discovery and Digital Evidence Course” taught by Hon. Xavier Rodriguez, St. Mary’s University School of Law, 2017-2024
Presenter, “Litigation Protections Post-Pandemic,” Association of Corporate Counsel | South Central Texas, 2021
Presenter, “Contract Litigation and Recovery of Attorney’s Fees,” San Antonio Young Lawyers Association, 2020
Presenter, “Real Estate Litigation: Specific Performance and Other Tools,” State Bar of Texas 14th Annual Advanced Real Estate Strategies Conference, 2020
Presenter, “Hindsight is 20/20: Contract Litigation and Risk Management During COVID-19 and Beyond,” Association of Corporate Counsel | South Central Texas, 2020
Speaker, “Business Ethics and Corporate Responsibility Course,” Greehey School of Business, St. Mary’s University, 2019
Presenter, “Commerce in the Digital Age: Advertising, Privacy and E-Payments,” Association of Corporate Counsel | South Central Texas, 2018
Presenter, “Consumer Protection Law Update,” ABA Section of Antitrust Law, 2017
-
“Real Estate Litigation Strategies,” State Bar of Texas, 19th Annual Advanced Real Estate Strategies Conference, 2025
“Key Texas Supreme Court Rulings Impacting Contract Construction and Real Estate Jurisprudence,” State Bar of Texas 26th Annual Summer School: Sun, Sand, and CLE for the General Practitioner, 2024
“Recent Texas Supreme Court Updates Related to Real Estate Contracts,” State Bar of Texas 46th Annual Advanced Real Estate Law, Chapter 3, 2024
“Recent Texas Supreme Court Updates Related to Real Estate Contracts,” Advanced Real Estate Law, State Bar of Texas 45th Annual Course, 2023
Co-Author, “Specific Performance and Other Remedies in Earnest Money Contract Disputes,” State Bar of Texas 14th Annual Advanced Real Estate Strategies Conference, 2020
Litigation Developments Contributor, Advertising Disputes and Litigation Committee, American Bar Association Antitrust Division, 2014-2017
“Sue Me Already,” The Brand Protection Blog, July 7, 2016
“Long Legal Battle Ends with Jury Victory for Coca-Cola in Pomegranate Juice Dispute,” The Brand Protection Blog, April 5, 2016
“No More Pretending Irreparable Harm: 9th Circuit Reverses Preliminary Injunction Favoring Platters Founder,” The Brand Protection Blog, December 5, 2013
“Protection Against Zombie Trademarks,” The Brand Protection Blog, October 31, 2013
“Civil Liability Approaches to the Stolen Valor Epidemic,” 44 St. Mary’s L.J. 835, 2013
-
San Antonio Bar Association Fellow (2023-Present)
Texas Bar Foundation – Life Fellow (2023-present)
Leadership San Antonio: Class 44
Respite Care of San Antonio: Board of Directors (2014-present), Board Chair (2023-2025)
Defense Counsel of San Antonio: Board of Directors (2013-present), Past President (2017)
Bexar County Women’s Bar Association: Board of Directors (2022-2023)
Special Reach: Board of Directors (2022)
St. Mary’s Law School Law School Mentorship Circles: Mentor (2020-2023)
William S. Sessions Inn of Court: Member
American Bar Association, Antitrust Division: Member
San Antonio Bar Association, Litigation Section: Member
St. Mary’s School of Law Alumni Association: Member