Best Lawyers in America for Oil and Gas Law
Rebecca Starosta is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Commercial Litigation and Oil and Gas Law. Rebecca practices law in Houston, Texas Best Lawyers has recognized Rebecca Starosta since 2024. The Best Lawyers recognition is based on a peer-review survey of lawyers in the same geographic region and legal practice area. The recognition reflects the professional regard in which Rebecca Starosta is held by other lawyers.
Chris Peyton advises clients on a wide range of mineral and mineral-adjacent matters, with a focus on Oil and Gas Law . Based in Lafayette, Louisiana, he works with energy companies and business clients across Louisiana and the Gulf Coast through his practice at Kean Miller . His work includes counseling on upstream oil and gas operations, mineral title matters, unitization, regulatory compliance, and carbon sequestration projects, as well as providing practical operational guidance to oil an...
Matt Smith is a commercial litigator based in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, where he practices with Kean Miller . He represents businesses in complex litigation involving tens to hundreds of millions of dollars in dispute in Louisiana state and federal courts, as well as on appeal. Matt focuses on helping clients understand the legal, regulatory, and business risks and opportunities that inform critical decision-making throughout high-stakes litigation. Matt’s practice includes Commercial Lit...
Conor Harvey is a highly motivated, creative, and seasoned lawyer, with a level of courtroom experience usually found in lawyers far more senior. He has significant appellate skills, deep knowledge of the Texas Supreme Court, and outstanding analytical and writing abilities. Mr. Harvey brings keen insights and innovative legal arguments to all of his cases. As an appellate practitioner, he has counseled clients at every level of the Texas and federal justice systems. Mr. Harvey has handled ev...
Rachel S. Day is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Energy Law, Insurance Law and Oil and Gas Law. Rachel S. practices law in Baton Rouge, Louisiana Best Lawyers has recognized Rachel S. Day since 2025. The Best Lawyers recognition is based on a peer-review survey of lawyers in the same geographic region and legal practice area. The recognition reflects the professional regard in which Rachel S. Day is held by other lawyers.
Julie Shelton is an associate in the firm's Oil & Gas/Energy practice group, where she handles both high-stakes litigation and complex transactions. She protects the interests of a diverse client base, advising producers, operators, mineral buyers, and landowners on critical industry disputes, including lease terminations, post-production cost calculations, and royalty discrepancies. Julie earned her J.D., magna cum laude , from Texas Tech University School of Law, where she completed an ...
Graham Valenta is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Corporate Law and Oil and Gas Law. Graham practices law in Houston, Texas Best Lawyers has recognized Graham Valenta since 2024. The Best Lawyers recognition is based on a peer-review survey of lawyers in the same geographic region and legal practice area. The recognition reflects the professional regard in which Graham Valenta is held by other lawyers.
Marc Mignault is a member of the Bowles Rice Energy Group and is leading the Bowles Rice Nuclear Energy Team. Marc focuses his practice on the potential for nuclear energy in West Virginia and Appalachia, lobbying on behalf of nuclear energy and alternative fuels, energy litigation, business litigation, and related matters. He is a Super Lawyers ® Rising Star, recognized as a Top-Rated Energy Attorney in West Virginia. Marc has represented clients before Circuit Courts, the Supreme Court ...
Jacob D. Wall is an associate in the firm's Oil & Gas/Energy section, where he advises clients on complex transactional and regulatory matters across the energy sector. He brings strong academic credentials to his practice, having earned his J.D. magna cum laude from the SMU Dedman School of Law, where he served as Associate Managing Editor of the International Law Review . Recognized early in his career, Jacob has been honored by Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in the areas of Energy Law and...
Brandon G. Pang is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Commercial Litigation, Energy Law and Oil and Gas Law. Brandon G. practices law in Shreveport, Louisiana Best Lawyers has recognized Brandon G. Pang since 2025. The Best Lawyers recognition is based on a peer-review survey of lawyers in the same geographic region and legal practice area. The recognition reflects the professional regard in which Brandon G. Pang is held by other lawyers.
Alec P. Tanner is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Corporate Law, Mergers and Acquisitions Law, Oil and Gas Law and Securities / Capital Markets Law. Alec P. practices law in Houston, Texas Best Lawyers has recognized Alec P. Tanner since 2024. The Best Lawyers recognition is based on a peer-review survey of lawyers in the same geographic region and legal practice area. The recognition reflects the professional regard in which Alec P. Tanner is held by other lawyers.
Taylor Spalla is a partner in the Oil and Gas practice group. His primary focus lies in oil and gas transactional matters, although he also frequently lends his expertise to public policy matters and commercial litigation cases. Mr. Spalla achieved academic excellence, graduating magna cum laude with a J.D. from Texas Tech School of Law. Additionally, he holds an M.B.A. from Texas Tech Rawls College of Business. During his time in law school, he assumed the prestigious role of Editor-in-Chief...
Augustus Graff is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Oil and Gas Law and Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants. Augustus practices law in Charleston, West Virginia Best Lawyers has recognized Augustus Graff since 2027. The Best Lawyers recognition is based on a peer-review survey of lawyers in the same geographic region and legal practice area. The recognition reflects the professional regard in which Augustus Graff is held by other lawyers.
Our Methodology
Recognition by Best Lawyers is based entirely on peer review. Our methodology is designed to capture, as accurately as possible, the consensus opinion of leading lawyers about the professional abilities of their colleagues within the same geographical area and legal practice area.
The Process
Best Lawyers employs a sophisticated, conscientious, rational, and transparent survey process designed to elicit meaningful and substantive evaluations of the quality of legal services. Our belief has always been that the quality of a peer review survey is directly related to the quality of the voters.
