Best Lawyers in America for Oil and Gas Law

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.

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.

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...

Marion Weinstock serves as Chair of the Commercial Transactions Section for the firm. Her practice covers a wide range of commercial transactions. She has handled and closed real estate purchases and sales of apartment complexes, warehouses, shopping centers and other commercial properties and has negotiated and prepared commercial leases (for both landlords and tenants), purchase agreements, condominium documents, servitude agreements and many other types of contracts and agreements. Marion ...

Greg Curry focuses his litigation practice on complex commercial (including real estate and construction), oil and gas, insurance coverage, and environmental matters. Greg is recognized annually by his peers as one of the top lawyers in Texas. He has an active trial practice, having secured significant settlements and judgments for plaintiffs and defending numerous complex cases with substantial monetary claims. Greg works on a number of high profile and high risk domestic and international a...

Gary Russo is a partner in the Litigation Practice Group. He practices in areas involving oil and gas, commercial and environmental, and insurance fraud and coverage. Gary is an accomplished litigator who represents clients in a broad range of commercial, multi-district, mass tort, and class action disputes. He has extensive trial experience, having organized, handled, and argued cases before judges and juries in state, federal district, and appellate courts in more than half of the US states...

James E. Mann is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Energy Regulatory Law and Oil and Gas Law. James E., who practices law in Austin, Texas, has been recognized since 2013. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which James E. 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...

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.

Katharine R. Colletta is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Admiralty and Maritime Law, Oil and Gas Law and Railroad Law. Katharine R., who practices law in Mobile, Alabama, has been recognized since 2013. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Katharine R. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Terry Knister has more than 30 years of litigation experience in both bench and jury trials and also on appeal. His practice is concentrated on toxic tort and environmental litigation with an emphasis on class action and mass tort cases. He has served as lead trial counsel in numerous cases involving allegations of personal injury, property devaluation/damage, and remediation as a result of chemical exposure and/or contamination. These matters typically include thousands of plaintiffs seeking...

David M. Perlman is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Energy Law and Oil and Gas Law. David M., who practices law in Washington, District of Columbia, has been recognized since 2021. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which David M. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Malcolm S. Murchison is licensed to practice in Louisiana and Texas and enjoys a broad based commercial law practice. His variety of skills equip him to handle a wide range of legal issues for his clients, including oil and gas, real estate, corporate formations/mergers/dissolutions, commercial lending and financing arrangements, state/local tax disputes, and land-use issues. He has significant experience in handling Louisiana mineral interest issues ranging from acquisitions, title examinati...

Andrew B. Derman is a Partner and head of International Energy Practice Group for Thompson & Knight LLP and Chairman of Thompson & Knight Global Energy Services. He represents public and private companies and host governments in their strategic design, commercial execution, negotiations, contract preparation, and legal interpretation. Recent experience includes: acquisition and divestment efforts in North America, South America, Europe, Africa, Asia, and Australia; international finan...

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.

Mark E. Elliott is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Environmental Law, Litigation - Environmental, Natural Resources Law and Oil and Gas Law. Mark E., who practices law in Los Angeles, California, has been recognized since 2013. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Mark E. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.