Best Lawyers in Texas, United States for Oil and Gas Law

Taylor Spalla is a partner in the Oil and Gas practice group. His primary focus lies in oil and gas transactional matters, although he also frequently lends his expertise to public policy matters and commercial litigation cases. Mr. Spalla achieved academic excellence, graduating magna cum laude with a J.D. from Texas Tech School of Law. Additionally, he holds an M.B.A. from Texas Tech Rawls College of Business. During his time in law school, he assumed the prestigious role of Editor-in-Chief...

Nirav N. Patel focuses his practice on oil, gas and energy litigation and transactions. His litigation practice includes claims and disputes related to termination of oil and gas leases, post-production costs, royalty underpayment, joint operating agreements, and purchase and sale agreements. Mr. Patel also represents clients in title disputes involving mineral and royalty interests, including litigation involving fixed versus floating royalty interests, adverse possession, and deed reformati...

R.J. Malenfant is a corporate partner in the Houston office of Kirkland & Ellis LLP. His practice focuses on acquisitions, divestitures and joint venture formations for companies operating and investing in the upstream oil-and-gas sector. R.J.’s transactional experience also includes advising clients in connection with complex acquisitions and divestitures, oil and gas transportation and gathering agreements, and other commercial transactions.

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

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

Benjamin J. Martin is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Corporate Law, Oil and Gas Law and Securities / Capital Markets Law. Benjamin J., 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 Benjamin J. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Mason W. Smith is an associate in the firm’s Oil & Gas/Energy section. He represents landowners, oil and gas operators, mineral/royalty owners, and surface developers in a variety of oil and gas matters. His primary area of focus is transactional work, which involves handling the buying and selling of working interest properties, mineral interests, and midstream assets. He also deals with oil and gas leases, surface use agreements, water use and disposal agreements, water leases, pi...

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.

Lauren Stelck is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Corporate Law and Oil and Gas Law. Lauren, who practices law in Austin, Texas, has been recognized since 2026. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Lauren is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

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...

Rachael E. Thompson is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Commercial Litigation, Litigation - Patent and Oil and Gas Law. Rachael E., 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 Rachael E. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Patrick K. Johnson is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Mergers and Acquisitions Law and Oil and Gas Law. Patrick K., 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 Patrick K. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

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

Alec P. Tanner is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Corporate Law, Mergers and Acquisitions Law, Oil and Gas Law and Securities / Capital Markets Law. Alec P., 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 Alec P. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Ernesto Danache IV is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Corporate Law, Energy Law and Oil and Gas Law. Ernesto, who practices law in Houston, Texas, has been recognized since 2023. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Ernesto is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Heriberto Montalvo is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Commercial Litigation, Oil and Gas Law, Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants, Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs and Product Liability Litigation - Plaintiffs. Heriberto, who practices law in Houston, Texas, has been recognized since 2023. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Heriberto is held by other top lawyers in the same geograph...