Best Lawyers in Texas, United States for Oil and Gas Law
Select a city from the list below to find the best legal talent for your needs.
Cities
Charles R. Watson, Jr. is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Appellate Practice, Energy Law and Oil and Gas Law. Charles R., who practices law in Austin, Texas, has been recognized since 2008. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Charles R. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
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...
Clients, including private equity funds, seeking to expand operations, divest businesses, or commit capital benefit from Mitchell’s transactional experience across various industries, including oil and gas, manufacturing, renewable energy, and telecommunications. Mitchell Griffith focuses his practice on mergers and acquisitions, private equity and venture capital, securities offerings, corporate governance, and other corporate matters. His experience includes equity financings for priv...
John Thompson is a partner in the firm's Oil and Gas/Energy practice. He obtained his Bachelor of Science degree from Vanderbilt University in 1997 and graduated in 2000 from the University of Texas School of Law, where he was a member of the law journal, The Review of Litigation. Mr. Thompson represents clients in litigation involving a wide variety of oil and gas matters before state and federal courts at both the trial and appellate levels.
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...
J. Eric Johnson is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Corporate Law and Oil and Gas Law. J. Eric, who practices law in Houston, Texas, has been recognized since 2021. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which J. Eric is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Harold L. Hensley, Jr. is a partner in the Oil & Gas/Energy and Litigation Sections of the firm. He is a skilled trial lawyer with a legacy of victories in both state and federal courts. He is a member of the Roehl Circle of Honor of trial lawyers in New Mexico and served the New Mexico Supreme Court as a member of its Uniform Jury Selection Committee. Mr. Hensley received his BBA degree from Rice University and his law degree from the University of Texas. He is a member of the State Bar ...
Dewey J. Gonsoulin Jr. is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Banking and Finance Law and Oil and Gas Law. Dewey J., who practices law in Houston, Texas, has been recognized since 2007. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Dewey J. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
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...
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...
Thomas B. Walsh IV is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Commercial Litigation, Litigation - Intellectual Property and Oil and Gas Law. Thomas B., who practices law in Dallas, Texas, has been recognized since 2014. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Thomas B. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Michelle Scheffler is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Oil and Gas Law. Michelle, who practices law in Houston, Texas, has been recognized since 2026. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Michelle is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
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.
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.
Luis F. Gomar is a partner in the Corporate department of Paul Hastings and is based in the firm’s Houston office. Mr. Gomar has over 18 years of experience advising on domestic and cross-border transactions in the energy, finance and private equity sectors. Mr. Gomar counsels clients on both domestic and international transactions involving M&A, asset acquisition and divestitures, fund formations, joint ventures and strategic alliances, project development, and structured finance a...
Derrick Price is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Oil and Gas Law. Derrick, who practices law in Austin, Texas, has been recognized since 2024. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Derrick is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Our Methodology
Recognition by Best Lawyers is based entirely on peer review. Our methodology is designed to capture, as accurately as possible, the consensus opinion of leading lawyers about the professional abilities of their colleagues within the same geographical area and legal practice area.
The Process
Best Lawyers employs a sophisticated, conscientious, rational, and transparent survey process designed to elicit meaningful and substantive evaluations of the quality of legal services. Our belief has always been that the quality of a peer review survey is directly related to the quality of the voters.