Best Lawyers in America for Oil and Gas Law

Don Smith joined Pray Walker in 1983 and has been a Shareholder with the Firm since 1990. Practicing in the areas of energy law, environmental law and title examination law, his primary emphasis is in energy transactions, principally representing oil and gas producers and operators in the purchase and sale of exploration and production assets, gathering and other midstream properties, and energy-related surface facilities. Don has negotiated, coordinated and closed numerous energy transaction...

Kevin represents a diverse clientele in virtually all aspects of the energy industry. With a background in petroleum geology, he has operated and participated in oil and gas exploration and development projects across North America. As a transactional lawyer, he has represented owners and operators with documentation, due diligence, and business counseling for acquisitions and divestitures and for exploration and operation. As a trial lawyer, he has represented plaintiffs and defendants, both...

Thomas B. Walsh IV is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Commercial Litigation, Litigation - Intellectual Property and Oil and Gas Law. Thomas B., who practices law in Dallas, Texas, has been recognized since 2014. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Thomas B. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Dale Wainwright is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Appellate Practice and Oil and Gas Law. Dale, who practices law in Austin, Texas, has been recognized since 2020. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Dale is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Stephen Paine is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Corporate Law and Oil and Gas Law. Stephen, who practices law in Shreveport, Louisiana, has been recognized since 2027. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Stephen is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Travis Conner joined Biggs, Ingram & Solop in 2008 after working as a petroleum landman representing various oil and gas companies. Using this prior experience, he concentrates his practice in oil and gas title opinions, development agreements relating to energy exploration, as well as real estate and litigation matters.

Howard L. Nelson is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Energy Law and Oil and Gas Law. Howard L., who practices law in Washington, District of Columbia, has been recognized since 2018. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Howard L. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Jack O'Neill has been trying large complex cases for over 45 years. His experience in the courtroom involves many cases that have been widely publicized. Mr. O’Neill was co-trial counsel for UPR, Inc. in its attempted takeover of Pennzoil. He was lead counsel for Mitchell Energy Corporation in the company’s effort to overturn a $204 million judgment rendered against the company in a case tried for the company by another law firm. On appeal, argued by Mr. O’Neill, the case wa...

Kenneth M. Minesinger represents a wide range of clients in the natural gas, oil and electricity industries on regulatory issues, including energy regulatory proceedings before the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), state regulatory commissions, and on related antitrust, litigation and transactional matters. Ken also spends a significant amount of time representing sovereigns in the development of their oil and gas resources. Ken has represented clients in commercial negotiations; c...

John Thompson is a partner in the firm's Oil and Gas/Energy practice. He obtained his Bachelor of Science degree from Vanderbilt University in 1997 and graduated in 2000 from the University of Texas School of Law, where he was a member of the law journal, The Review of Litigation. Mr. Thompson represents clients in litigation involving a wide variety of oil and gas matters before state and federal courts at both the trial and appellate levels.

J. Breckenridge "Breck" Martin concentrates his practice in the areas of business and tax planning, estate planning, commercial transactions and financing, energy, real estate and economic development.

Matthew W. Onest is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Oil and Gas Law. Matthew W., who practices law in Canton, Ohio, has been recognized since 2025. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Matthew W. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Tom Lane is a partner in the Charleston, West Virginia office of Bowles Rice and is licensed to practice law in West Virginia and Pennsylvania. He practices primarily in the areas of natural resources, coal, oil and gas, commercial real estate, zoning and land development This practice ranges from complex transactions of mineral property and companies to complex litigation of natural resource issues. He also engages in lobbying and government relations, particularly on issues affecting the mi...

Areas of Emphasis Charles Saffer is senior counsel in the Energy and Natural Resources and Corporate and Commercial groups of Babst Calland. His practice is focused on real estate and mineral title matters for corporate clients within the commercial and oil and gas industries. He has experience in examining and certifying mineral titles in counties throughout West Virginia. Mr. Saffer has also represented property owners in commercial real estate transactions including leasing, acquisitions a...

Jessica Hatcher is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Energy Law and Oil and Gas Law. Jessica, who practices law in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, has been recognized since 2024. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Jessica is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

David has significant trial experience with complex commercial, intellectual property, trust and estates, tax, energy, and environmental litigation matters in both state and federal courts. He has successfully tried to verdict complex litigation matters in state and federal courts, and under the rules of the American Arbitration Association. He has successfully argued before state and federal appellate courts. In addition, he has experience with matters before state and federal administrative...