Best Lawyers in America for Oil and Gas Law

Jane Jackson focuses her practice in the areas of environmental litigation, oil and gas, and commercial litigation. She handles the defense of environmental claims by landowners alleging environmental damage arising from oil and gas exploration and production operations. Ms. Jackson has represented public entities in land use cases involving the appropriation of property for constructing and maintaining hurricane protection levees, and she also has experience handling cases involving land los...

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

Rob Scheffy is a partner in the Corporate Practice Group, focusing on real estate, and a member of the Energy, Environmental & Natural Resources Industry Team. Rob Scheffy has provided businesses with a steady, guiding hand through all phases of the economic cycle, from booms to busts and everything in between. Often described as a “hybrid” lawyer, he draws on his years of private practice and his service as in-house counsel for an interstate gas pipeline company to advise pip...

Matthew J. Fantaci is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of 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.

Bill Benitez is a partner in the Houston office of Kirkland & Ellis LLP. His practice focuses on mergers and acquisitions, equity investments, recapitalizations, joint ventures and corporate governance, with a particular emphasis on the energy and infrastructure sector. Clients have described Bill as a “great practitioner” who provides “incredible client service” in connection with his recognition in various industry publications, including Chambers Global, The Wor...

Gregg Laswell has been a trial lawyer for nearly four decades. He began with a large national firm, where he practiced for 13 years, moved to a large international firm, where he practiced for 7 years, and then joined some of his former partners in 2004 at Hicks Thomas, where he has practiced for the last 18 years. His practice has focused almost exclusively on business and commercial litigation and while he has significant experience in various industries and practice areas, a primary emphas...

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.

Area of Emphasis Timothy Miller is a shareholder in the Energy and Natural Resources and Litigation groups of Babst Calland. Mr. Miller is primarily involved in general civil litigation and has tried more than 30 significant cases to jury trial conclusion in the federal courts in both the Northern and Southern Districts of West Virginia, and numerous state courts. He has significant experience with complex litigation before the West Virginia Mass Litigation Panel and the Supreme Court of Appe...

Now in his third decade of practice, Kyle Polozola offers substantial experience advising participants in Louisiana’s energy industry. Based in Lafayette, Louisiana, Kyle’s practice at Kean Miller spans litigation, appeals, and transactional matters, with a particular focus on Administrative / Regulatory Law, Energy Law , and Oil and Gas Law. He regularly assists clients with practical, business-oriented legal solutions that are clearly communicated, cost-conscious, and aligned wi...

Sam Masur’s practice is concentrated in the areas of oil and gas litigation, general commercial litigation, oil and gas titles, oil and gas and oil field service company acquisitions and divestitures, and general business acquisitions and divestitures. In both Louisiana state and federal courts, Sam litigates oil and gas and general business contract disputes involving oil and gas leases, overriding royalty interest agreements, joint operating agreements, and distribution agreements and...

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...

Vic Suane is a Baton Rouge, Louisiana attorney with Kean Miller whose practice centers on Commercial Litigation , Litigation – Environmental , and Oil and Gas Law. He represents clients in complex disputes in state and federal courts, as well as before administrative and regulatory agencies. Vic is known for a practical and thoughtful approach to advocacy that remains focused on client objectives both in and out of the courtroom. He has been recognized by The National Black Lawyers and ...

Earl DeBrine concentrates his practice in oil and gas, railroad, product liability and commercial litigation. For over 30 years, he has represented major energy companies, railroads and manufacturers in lawsuits and negotiations ranging from preferential purchase rights and other disputes under joint operating agreements, environmental and title disputes to oilfield wrongful death claims. He also regularly advises oil and gas producers concerning development transactions and appears before th...

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

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

Tim George practices administrative law and litigation on behalf of oil and gas owners and operators. Tim represents clients before the Railroad Commission of Texas and the Texas General Land Office. He has helped solve complex problems with leasehold permitting and production; special field rules; rulemaking; salt water disposal injection; unitization and enhanced recovery; environmental compliance and remediation; pipeline transportation; common carrier, common purchaser, and gas utility co...