Best Lawyers in America for Oil and Gas Law

Scott O’Connor’s practice focuses on oil and gas and complex commercial litigation. He has litigated and arbitrated numerous disputes involving onshore and offshore operating agreements, royalty claims, gas balancing agreements, oil and gas purchase contracts, farmout agreements, preferential purchase rights, and purchase and sale agreements. He has defended national and state class actions involving oil and gas pricing practices including antitrust litigation, and has represented...

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,...

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...

Robert P. Dougherty III is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Oil and Gas Law. Robert P., who practices law in Dallas, Texas, has been recognized since 2022. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Robert P. 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...

Paul is AV-rated by Martindale-Hubbell®. His practice is focused on environmental, commercial and financial services litigation.

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.

Tony Marino’s practice focuses on energy transactions and regulatory matters. His work includes drafting and negotiating oil and gas agreements, acquisitions and divestures of mineral properties, and energy financings. Additionally, he advises clients on regulatory issues on mineral leases both onshore in Louisiana and offshore in state and federal waters on the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS). Tony represents clients before regulatory agencies, including the Bureau of Ocean Energy Manage...

Areas of Emphasis Charles Saffer is senior counsel in the Energy and Natural Resources and Corporate and Commercial groups of Babst Calland. His practice is focused on real estate and mineral title matters for corporate clients within the commercial and oil and gas industries. He has experience in examining and certifying mineral titles in counties throughout West Virginia. Mr. Saffer has also represented property owners in commercial real estate transactions including leasing, acquisitions a...

Todd W. Spake is the chair of Kelly Hart's Oil & Gas/Energy Practice Group and represents oil and gas operators and interest owners across the state in his broad-based energy practice. Mr. Spake's primary focus is on transactional matters, including the purchase and sale of oil and gas producing properties, farm-outs, joint development agreements, natural gas processing and sale agreements, seismic agreements, complex rural and urban oil and gas leases and surface use agreements, pipeline...

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...

Brendan Hughes blends environmental expertise with legal acumen, focusing his practice on environmental, insurance, construction, property, and maritime matters. Clients rely on him for insight into both complex details and the broader implications of each case. Before law, Brendan worked as a senior environmental scientist on projects for the U.S. EPA, U.S. Air Force, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, and major oil and gas companies, managing contamination, hazardous waste, and oil ...

With experience as a law clerk to federal judges and as a trial lawyer for large companies, Bryan’s expertise is crafting compelling, case-winning arguments for Zehl & Associates’ clients, through briefing to the trial and appellate courts on the most important legal issues in their cases. Bryan grew up in Sugar Land, Texas, and graduated from New York University with a Bachelor of Arts in Economics, and from the University of Texas at Austin School of Law before returning hom...

Matt Smith is a commercial litigator based in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, where he practices with Kean Miller . He represents businesses in complex litigation involving tens to hundreds of millions of dollars in dispute in Louisiana state and federal courts, as well as on appeal. Matt focuses on helping clients understand the legal, regulatory, and business risks and opportunities that inform critical decision-making throughout high-stakes litigation. Matt’s practice includes Commercial Lit...

Shannon R. McKay is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Energy Law, Mergers and Acquisitions Law and Oil and Gas Law. Shannon R., who practices law in Houston, Texas, has been recognized since 2024. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Shannon R. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Ryan S. Welsch is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Energy Law, Oil and Gas Law and Real Estate Law. Ryan S., who practices law in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, has been recognized since 2021. 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.