Robert J. Sutphin, Jr.

Robert helps oil and gas producers favorably resolve their most challenging disputes, including royalty underpayment claims, all types of contract disputes, environmental issues, and class actions.

Robert brings a deep understanding of New Mexico oil and gas law, including insight into issues and problems faced by energy companies. When litigating cases, clients appreciate his tenacity, responsiveness and creativity. This combination of skills and expertise results in consistently good outcomes for his clients.

He regularly litigates cases involving oil and gas royalties, severance and property taxes, marketing and valuation, allocation and gas balancing, and unit and joint operating agreements. In addition, he handles surface owner disputes, environmental matters, and claims under the Surface Owner’s Protection Act.

For the last 20 years, Robert has been involved in almost every major royalty case involving New Mexico production. He was co-lead counsel in the seminal New Mexico case defining royalty owed to the State, which was decided in his clients’ favor. Royalty class actions are a specialty: Robert and his team defeated class certification in two recent cases. His experience extends to representing clients in oil and gas disputes in other states, including Texas and Oklahoma.

Outside of litigation, he regularly advises clients on valuing oil and gas production to comply with private, state, and federal royalty obligations. In addition, he has deep experience with state tax issues, and valuing exported oil and gas.