Kelly Hart & Hallman LLP

57 Best Lawyers awards

Kelly Hart & Hallman LLP logo

Awarded Practice Areas

Energy Law Oil and Gas Law
*Named the "Lawyer of the Year" in this practice area in the 2026 edition in Dallas/Fort Worth.

Biography

Clark H. Rucker is a partner in the Oil & Gas/Energy division of the firm, where he focuses on litigation and transactions related to the oil, gas, and energy industries. His clientele includes a variety of entities such as oil and gas exploration firms, midstream companies, propane and liquefiable fuel companies, mineral funds and companies, and large landowners. Additionally, Mr. Rucker extends his legal expertise to non-energy litigation, real estate transactions, intellectual property disputes, and local zoning issues.

Mr. Rucker’s exceptional legal skills have earned him recognition as a Texas Super Lawyer by Thomson Reuters, and as a Top Lawyer by Fort Worth Magazine and 360 West. Apart from his legal pursuits, he is committed to community service and sits on the Board of Directors for CASA of Tarrant County and The First Tee of Fort Worth.

Mr. Rucker serves as the Recruiting Director, overseeing the firm’s recruitment efforts.

Kelly Hart & Hallman LLP

57 Best Lawyers awards

Kelly Hart & Hallman LLP logo

Overview

  • Texas Christian University, B.B.A. Marketing, B.B.A. Finance, graduated 2005
  • The University of Texas, J.D., graduated 2008

  • Texas, State Bar of Texas, 2008

  • State Bar of Texas; Oil, Gas & Energy Resources Law Section - Young Professionals Program, Executive Committee of Fort Worth Chapter
  • Institute for Energy Law, Young Energy Professional - Advisory Board Member
  • Texas Bar Foundation - Fellow
  • Tarrant County Bar Foundation - Fellow
  • Jewel Charity Ball - Member Class of 2025-2026
  • The First Tee of Fort Worth - Board of Directors
  • The Honorable Order of Kentucky Colonels - Member

  • U.S. District Court, Western District of Texas
  • U.S. District Court, Northern District of Texas
  • U.S. Court of Appeals, Fifth Circuit
  • Texas, State Bar of Texas, 2008
  • State Bar of Texas; Oil, Gas & Energy Resources Law Section - Young Professionals Program, Executive Committee of Fort Worth Chapter
  • Institute for Energy Law, Young Energy Professional - Advisory Board Member
  • Texas Bar Foundation - Fellow
  • Tarrant County Bar Foundation - Fellow
  • Jewel Charity Ball - Member Class of 2025-2026
  • The First Tee of Fort Worth - Board of Directors
  • The Honorable Order of Kentucky Colonels - Member
  • Texas Christian University, B.B.A. Marketing, B.B.A. Finance, graduated 2005
  • The University of Texas, J.D., graduated 2008
  • U.S. District Court, Western District of Texas
  • U.S. District Court, Northern District of Texas
  • U.S. Court of Appeals, Fifth Circuit

Client Testimonials

Awards & Focus

Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2026 - Energy Law
Named "Lawyer of the Year" by Best Lawyers® for:
  • Energy Law, Dallas/Fort Worth (2026)
Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America® 2026 for work in:
  • Energy Law
  • Oil and Gas Law
Additional Areas of Practice:
  • Natural Resources Law
Awards:
  • 2026 Best Lawyers® “Lawyer of the Year” in the Dallas/Fort Worth Area

    • Energy Law
  • Best Lawyers in America®, 2024-2026

    • Energy Law
    • Oil & Gas Law
  • Texas Super Lawyers, Thomson Reuters, 2023-2025

    • Energy & Resources
  • Top 100 Texas Super Lawyers Rising Stars, Thomson Reuters, 2021-2022

    • Energy & Resources
  • Texas Super Lawyers Rising Stars, Thomson Reuters, 2017-2022

    • Energy & Resources
  • Top Attorney, Fort Worth Magazine, 2015-2024

    • Oil & Gas Law
  • Top Attorney, 360 West magazine, 2017-2025

    • Oil and Gas Law
  • 40 Under 40 Honoree, Fort Worth Business Press, 2021

Case History

Cases
  • Litigation Defense
Successful defense of a publicly traded oil and gas company in a series of trespass, nuisance and negligence lawsuits concerning urban drilling and padsites
  • Property Trespass
Defense of private oil and gas company in trespass matters in East Texas
  • Oil and Gas Litigation
Obtained favorable trial court damages award for private oil and gas company in Central Texas
  • Appeals
Represented publicly traded oil and gas exploration company in over a dozen Texas state court and federal court appeals
  • Litigation
Successful defense of a publicly traded midstream company in several landowner lawsuits and compressor nuisance lawsuits

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