Best Lawyers in America for Oil and Gas Law
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State
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 ...
Dakota S. Hawkins is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Commercial Litigation, Energy Law and Oil and Gas Law. Dakota S., who practices law in Shreveport, Louisiana, has been recognized since 2025. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Dakota S. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Operating from the firm's Morgantown, West Virginia office, Kayla Cook is an accomplished and multifaceted attorney, specializing in the areas of education and real estate law. Widely recognized for her unparalleled experience in the world of Title IX, Kayla provides invaluable counsel to institutions of higher education, each of the state’s 55 county boards of education, private schools, and the West Virginia Department of Education on Title IX compliance, policy review, investigations...
Lauren Stelck is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Corporate Law and Oil and Gas Law. Lauren, who practices law in Austin, Texas, has been recognized since 2026. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Lauren is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Codi Setters is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Oil and Gas Law. Codi, who practices law in Shreveport, Louisiana, has been recognized since 2026. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Codi is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Raylee Starnes focuses her practice on oil, gas, and energy litigation and transactions. Ms. Starnes represents oil and gas exploration companies, oil and gas midstream companies, and large land owners in a variety of transactional and litigation matters. Ms. Starnes has also represented clients in several non-energy commercial litigation matters, and advised clients on labor and employment disputes, bankruptcy proceedings, and real estate matters.
Janie O. Callaway is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Energy Law and Oil and Gas Law. Janie O., who practices law in Houston, Texas, has been recognized since 2026. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Janie O. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Brendan O'Donnell is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Oil and Gas Law. Brendan, who practices law in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, has been recognized since 2023. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Brendan is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Josh Cottle focuses his practice on circuit court appeals and appeals before the Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia on behalf of clients in the education sector. As a member of the Bowles Rice Education Law Group , long recognized as “Top Tier” for Education Law in West Virginia by U.S. News & World Report , he also provides counsel regarding employee grievances, such as complex excess levy and personnel issues. In addition to administrative litigation, Josh represents ...
Nirav N. Patel focuses his practice on oil, gas and energy litigation and transactions. His litigation practice includes claims and disputes related to termination of oil and gas leases, post-production costs, royalty underpayment, joint operating agreements, and purchase and sale agreements. Mr. Patel also represents clients in title disputes involving mineral and royalty interests, including litigation involving fixed versus floating royalty interests, adverse possession, and deed reformati...
John Philip (“J.P.”) Graf represents clients in commercial disputes and litigation, including energy, construction, banking, property, and general commercial litigation. He is also experienced in product liability, premises liability, industrial accidents, and maritime and offshore matters. He has served as lead trial counsel and co-counsel, managing litigation matters from intake through trials and appeals, in state and federal courts throughout Louisiana. “If you can't exp...
Josh engages in the representation of oil and gas companies, including both operating and non-operating entities, and intra- and interstate transportation providers, in all areas of energy litigation, including royalty calculation, midstream cost disputes, contract disputes, and environmental damages. He represents municipal organizations in areas including regulatory compliance, zoning, intergovernmental relations, and contract negotiation. Josh has represented a working interest owner in co...
Chaz Coleman is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Business Organizations (including LLCs and Partnerships), Commercial Litigation and Oil and Gas Law. Chaz, who practices law in Shreveport, Louisiana, has been recognized since 2026. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Chaz is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
David C. Fox is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Energy Law, Oil and Gas Law and Real Estate Law. David C., who practices law in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, has been recognized since 2024. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which David C. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Rebecca Starosta is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Commercial Litigation and Oil and Gas Law. Rebecca, who practices law in Houston, Texas, has been recognized since 2024. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Rebecca is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
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.