Best Lawyers in America for Oil and Gas Law

Michael W. Brooks is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Energy Law, Energy Regulatory Law and Oil and Gas Law. Michael W., who practices law in Washington, District of Columbia, has been recognized since 2020. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Michael W. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Steven H. Stodghill is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Appellate Practice, Commercial Litigation, Entertainment Law - Motion Pictures and Television and Oil and Gas Law. Steven H., who practices law in Dallas, Texas, has been recognized since 2018. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Steven H. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Robert J. Burnett is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Energy Law and Oil and Gas Law. Robert J., 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 Robert J. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

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.

John Reeks has worked with small independents, medium and large oil and gas companies in most phases of the energy and oil and gas industry including title work, mergers and acquisitions, litigation of landowner and royalty owner demands, matters involving gas contracts, oil, gas and mineral leases, development of oil and gas leases and title issues, disputes between operators and non-operators and lawsuits concerning environmental damages to property. He also has significant insurance defens...

Area of Emphasis Bruce Rudoy is a shareholder and former co-chair of Babst Calland’s Energy and Natural Resources and Renewables groups and Land and Energy Title Department. Mr. Rudoy concentrates his practice in the areas of Oil and Gas, Renewable Energy, and the associated business transactions, corporate and real estate law. He counsels various clients on title, transaction and regulatory matters. Those matters are diverse and include title issues and opinions, purchase and sale of a...

Serving as Office Managing Partner of Akerman’s Houston office, Scott Marrs is a formidable trial lawyer litigating high profile matters in state and federal courts as well as arbitrations in the United States, South America, the Middle East, and Europe. Scott focuses on legal issues in virtually all aspects of the energy sector, including oil and gas exploration, production, transportation, storage, power, chemical, petrochemical, energy marketing, and well service. He also litigates i...

Will’s practice focuses on commercial lending and financial transactions. He represents private equity funds, hedge funds and mezzanine funds, as well as corporate borrowers and investors, in connection with a wide variety of complex transactions, with a primary emphasis on: acquisition financings, first and second lien syndicated lending transactions with intercreditor relationships, structured financings with equity participations, complex restructurings, and financings and investment...

William B. Burford is a partner in the firm's Oil & Gas/Energy section. His practice focuses on Natural Resources Law and Oil and Gas Law, with experience handling oil and gas title examination and transactional matters involving fee, state, and federal lands in Texas and New Mexico. Mr. Burford advises clients on a broad range of energy-related legal matters, including title review, due diligence, leasing, acquisitions, divestitures, and other transactions associated with oil and gas dev...

EXPERIENCE Successfully tried numerous lawsuits through jury trial and bench trial, as well as appeal, in both state and federal courts Significant experience in complex commercial arbitration matters filed under the American Arbitration Association Experience in litigation and arbitration matters filed in Oklahoma, Texas, Kansas, Arkansas, Georgia, Colorado, Wyoming and California Testified as an expert witness on matters related to the recovery of attorney fees in complex trust litigation S...

Nick Davis is a partner in the firm's Litigation section. He represents clients in complex disputes, trials, and arbitrations. He has significant experience in high-stakes matters involving fraud, trade secrets, oil and gas, employment, insurance coverage, government investigations, and complex commercial cases.

Stan Ingram has been a practicing attorney for over 40 years, concentrating his practice in the areas of Oil and Gas Law, Exploration and Regulatory Matters, Licensure and Certification Law, Health Law, Chancery Practice and Real Estate Matters. The unique co-specialties of Oil & Gas and Licensure and Certification Law did not happen by chance. Before going to law school, Stan served as an investigator for the Mississippi Medical Board. After law school graduation, Stan accepted a positio...

Mark C. Kalpin is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Energy Law, Energy Regulatory Law, Environmental Law, Natural Resources Law and Oil and Gas Law. Mark C., who practices law in Boston, Massachusetts, has been recognized since 2023. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Mark C. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Bart A. Rue has over 30 years of trial practice in oil and gas related matters as well a complementary commercial litigation background. Since 2010, Mr. Rue has served as lead counsel in over 200 oil and gas litigation and commercial litigation matters, including lease interpretation issues, royalty underpayment issues, surface use disputes, lease termination disputes, and other issues affecting land and mineral ownership. Mr. Rue currently represents exploration companies and landowners in s...

Ryan S. Holcomb is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Energy Law and Oil and Gas Law. Ryan S., who practices law in Houston, Texas, has been recognized since 2013. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Ryan S. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Paul H. Stephenson, III was admitted to the Mississippi Bar in 1977. He is also admitted to practice before all state and federal district courts in Mississippi, as well as the Supreme Court of the United States and the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit. His practice has focused on business, commercial and financial disputes at the trial and appellate levels involving a wide array of subject matters. Paul's experience includes complex class actions, oil and gas controversie...