Best Lawyers in America for Oil and Gas Law

Walter brings more than thirty-five years of experience providing representation, advice and counsel to businesses and individuals in their dealings with Indian tribes and public land management agencies, like the U.S. Bureau of Land Management, the U.S. Forest Service and New Mexico State Land Office. Walter’s practice is focused on natural resources, energy and environmental law. Clients throughout the west and across the country seek Walter’s advice in matters involving transac...

W. James McAnelly III is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Energy Law, Natural Resources Law and Oil and Gas Law. W. James, who practices law in Houston, Texas, has been recognized since 2014. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which W. James is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Mark W. Hanna is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Commercial Litigation and Oil and Gas Law. Mark W., who practices law in Austin, Texas, has been recognized since 2022. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Mark W. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Lance McCardle practices in the areas of securities arbitration and litigation, environmental law, and general commercial litigation. Lance regularly represents investors (both individuals and institutions) in claims against their brokers, investment advisors, and/or investment banks in court or in arbitration proceedings administered by the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA). He also represents several landowners in claims against oil and gas companies for damage and land loss c...

J. Eric Johnson is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Corporate Law, Oil and Gas Law and Securities / Capital Markets Law. J. Eric, who practices law in Houston, Texas, has been recognized since 2021. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which J. Eric is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

William A. Horn received his bachelor's degree with honors from the University of Wisconsin and graduated cum laude from the University of Wisconsin Law School. Bill specializes in environmental, oil and gas, eminent domain, water and riparian rights, land use and public utility law, as well as civil and administrative litigation, and has been representing and counseling private and public sector clients in these areas since 1982. In addition to having served as an adjunct professor for a law...

Selected to the 2016 Louisiana Super Lawyer list in the Environmental Litigation, Energy and Natural Resources Law, and Business Litigation practice areas (other years recognized: 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2015) 2014 Baton Rouge Area Environmental Lawyer of the Year; 2016 Lafayette Area Environmental Lawyer of the Year Selected for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America for Energy Law, Litigation - Environmental, Natural Resources Law and Oil & Gas Law Practice Concentration & E...

Matthew J. Fantaci is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of CleanTech Law, Commercial Litigation, Corporate Law, Energy Law and Oil and Gas Law. Matthew J., who practices law in New Orleans, Louisiana, has been recognized since 2019. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Matthew J. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Michael B. Heister is a managing member at Quattlebaum, Grooms & Tull PLLC, with extensive experience in regulatory, environmental, and complex commercial litigation. Mr. Heister’s practice focuses on electrical utility regulatory proceedings, environmental enforcement/compliance, and defending clients who do business in highly regulated industries. His recent experience includes: Advising and representing clients in matters before the Arkansas Public Service Commission, including e...

Jolisa Melton Dobbs is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Energy Law and Oil and Gas Law. Jolisa Melton, who practices law in Dallas, Texas, has been recognized since 2016. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Jolisa Melton is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Christopher Sileo is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Commercial Litigation and Oil and Gas Law. Christopher, 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 Christopher is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Lee H. Ayres is principally a trial lawyer. He has extensive experience in civil litigation, including business and commercial disputes, oil and gas litigation, property disputes, natural resources litigation, products liability claims, professional malpractice defense, trucking defense, personal injury claims, fraud claims, insurance coverage, and insurance bad faith defense. Lee received his undergraduate and law degrees at Louisiana State University Law Center, where he was a member of the...

Brandon T. Darden is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Commercial Litigation and Oil and Gas Law. Brandon T., who practices law in New Orleans, Louisiana, has been recognized since 2023. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Brandon T. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

James M. Saxton is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Economic Development Law, Natural Resources Law, Oil and Gas Law and Real Estate Law. James M., who practices law in Little Rock, Arkansas, has been recognized since 1999. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which James M. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Catherine Little counsels clients on energy-related environmental and administrative law at all levels of federal, state and local government, with particular emphasis on regulatory compliance, enforcement defense and administrative adjudication under the Pipeline Safety Act, Clean Water Act (including wetlands) and the Oil Pollution Act. Catherine regularly advises clients with respect to pipeline safety regulatory compliance issues, permitting, spill and release reporting, as well as natura...

Pam Mascari is a state and federal court litigator, trial advocate, and regulatory advisor who represents clients in high-stakes environmental and energy-related disputes in Louisiana and beyond. Based in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, she works with energy , petrochemical, and manufacturing companies on complex litigation involving property contamination , environmental claims, and related business risks. Her practice regularly involves litigation strategy and case management before Louisiana state...