Best Lawyers in America for Oil and Gas Law

State and federal court litigator, trial advocate, and appellate advisor, Chuck Talley has more than four decades of experience representing clients in complex disputes. Based in New Orleans, Louisiana, Chuck practices with Kean Miller and focuses on resolving matters involving Admiralty and Maritime Law, Oil and Gas Law , insurance coverage, and general business litigation. His work includes handling cases at every stage of litigation, from initial strategy and motion practice through trial ...

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...

Rachel M. Scarafia is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Energy Law and Oil and Gas Law. Rachel M., who practices law in New Orleans, Louisiana, has been recognized since 2026. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Rachel M. 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.

Area of Emphasis Ramonda Marling is a shareholder in the Energy and Natural Resources and Litigation groups of Babst Calland. Ms. Marling primarily represents clients in litigation and commercial matters. She has extensive experience in complex, high-dollar commercial litigation matters representing natural gas producers, midstream companies, coal companies, pharmaceutical manufacturers, tobacco companies and other corporations. She has represented natural gas producers in litigation involvin...

David Patrón serves as the Regional Practice Coordinator of the firm’s New Orleans Litigation Group where he manages one of the firm’s largest practice groups. With over twenty years of legal experience, David Patrón has established a solid reputation as a talented litigator who successfully represents businesses at all phases of litigation in state and federal courts throughout the Gulf South and beyond. Whether winning at trial or negotiating favorable settlements,...

Larry Shea works primarily in the energy industry representing oil and gas producers and pipeline companies. He has handled numerous matters involving legacy litigation, environmental issues, oil and gas leasing rights, and operations. He commonly represents defendants, including the defense of clients in class actions and mass joinder litigation. Larry has played an integral role in landmark cases, such as AmCom v. Patterson, one of the first modern era decisions of the Louisiana Supreme Cou...

M. Taylor Darden is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Commercial Litigation and Oil and Gas Law. M. Taylor, who practices law in New Orleans, Louisiana, has been recognized since 2009. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which M. Taylor is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

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

Edward B. Poitevent II is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Energy Law, Energy Regulatory Law, Mining Law and Oil and Gas Law. Edward B., who practices law in New Orleans, Louisiana, has been recognized since 2007. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Edward B. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

A partner of Montgomery Barnett, John Pearce is engaged in general civil practice concentrating in energy (oil and gas) and environmental law for a variety of clients both corporate (international, national, regional and local) and individual. With broad experience in civil litigation and corporate, partnership, environmental, banking, securities and contract law including interpretation, negotiation and preparation of a wide variety of contracts, Mr. Pearce has handled or participated in a b...

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.

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...

John M. DeVries, a native of Grand Rapids, practices in the areas of litigation in federal and state courts, oil, gas and water law, eminent domain and zoning law. John received his bachelor's degree from Calvin College and his law degree from the University of Michigan, magna cum laude, Order of the Coif. He is a member of the Grand Rapids and Federal Bar Associations, the State Bar of Michigan, and is a life member of the Sixth Circuit Judicial Conference.

Trey McCowan represents local, regional, and multinational energy and petrochemical companies in a wide range of complex litigation matters in state and federal courts. Based in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, he focuses his practice on Commercial Litigation , Natural Resources Law, Oil and Gas Law, and Personal Injury Litigation – Defendants. His work frequently involves high-stakes disputes arising from energy development, operations, and environmental issues across Louisiana and the Gulf Coa...

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...