Energy Law Natural Resources Law
William M. Kerr, Jr.
Awarded Practice Areas
Biography
William M. Kerr, Jr. has more than three decades of experience in commercial transactions, with particular emphasis on acquisitions, financings and divestitures of oil and gas related concerns. He is a graduate of Washington and Lee University, where he received his bachelor of arts degree, cum laude, in 1979, as well as of the University of Texas School of Law, where he received his juris doctor, with honors, in 1981. Mr. Kerr is a fourth generation Texas lawyer and practiced for many years in Midland, Texas prior to joining the Austin office of this firm in 2005. His business practice includes extensive international experience in North America, South America, and Europe. Mr. Kerr represents clients ranging from individual investors to mid-size independents to major corporations. Mr. Kerr is a past president of The Trail Foundation in Austin.
Overview
- The University of Texas, JD, graduated 1981
- Washington and Lee University, B.A., graduated 1979
- Texas, 1982
- American Bar Association - Member
- Austin Bar Association - Member
- Institute for Energy Law - Advisory Board Member
- Texas Bar Foundation - Fellow
- Texas, 1982
- American Bar Association - Member
- Austin Bar Association - Member
- Institute for Energy Law - Advisory Board Member
- Texas Bar Foundation - Fellow
- The University of Texas, JD, graduated 1981
- Washington and Lee University, B.A., graduated 1979
Client Testimonials
Awards & Focus

Named "Lawyer of the Year" by Best Lawyers® for:
- Energy Law, Austin (2022)
- Natural Resources Law, Austin (2021)
Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America® 2026 for work in:
- Energy Law
- Natural Resources Law
Additional Areas of Practice:
- Administrative / Regulatory Law
- Oil and Gas Law
- Water Law
Awards:
Super Lawyers, Thomson Reuters, 2025
- Business | Corporate
Legal 500 City Elite, 2025
- Austin - Corporate and M&A
Best Lawyers in America®, 2013-2026
- Energy Law
- Natural Resources Law
Best Lawyers®"Lawyer of the Year" Austin, U.S. News & World Report
- Energy Law, 2022
- Natural Resources Law, 2021
- Named Top Austin Attorney, Austin Monthly, 2019
News & Media
Case History
Transactions
- Lead Counsel
- Served as lead counsel to group of over 100 sellers in $600 million divestiture of oil and gas assets
- Oil & Gas
- Represented E&P company in divestitures totaling in excess of $700 million
- Private Equity
- Represented client in private equity raises totaling in excess of $750 million
- Oil & Gas
- Served as lead counsel to a client in a series of divestitures of Permian Basin oil and gas assets aggregating $500 million
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