FOCUS OF PRACTICE

Oilfield Agreements and Insurance Matters

• Onshore and Offshore Contract Drafting and Review. Create, review, and negotiate offshore and onshore agreements with a keen eye on risk allocation issues as well as help clients minimize conflicts resulting from the interaction of contracts and various jurisdictions. Particular expertise in drafting and negotiating master service agreements (which number in the hundreds), indemnity and release agreements, transportation and disposal agreements, bid package terms and conditions, and terms and conditions pertaining to the energy industry.
• Insurance related matters and litigation. Experience in developing and monitoring insurance requirements and certificates, coverage disputes and maritime and energy related insurance matters.

Energy Litigation

• Landowner and Mineral Lessee Disputes. Disputes between landowners/royalty owners and mineral lessees. Expertise in litigation involving lease termination litigation and implied obligations under mineral leases including lease maintenance through drilling, reworking and production in paying quantities.
• Joint Operating Agreement Matters and other Disputes between Co-Owners. Litigation and arbitrations involving disputes between operators and non-operators under joint operating agreements and other claims between companies involved in joint participation and other development efforts.
• Oil and Gas Marketing Disputes.

Business Law

• Business Transactions. Drafted and negotiated noncompetition agreements, confidentiality agreements, intellectual property agreements, software licenses, outsourcing agreements, , maintenance and support contracts and distribution contracts.
• Business Litigation. Handled numerous cases involving business torts, non-competition and confidentiality disputes, intellectual property litigation, employment litigation.

Bankruptcy

• Bankruptcy Litigation. Representation in cases involving preferential transfers, fraudulent transfers, equitable subordination, substantive consolidation, recharacterization
• Creditor Representation. Advise secured and unsecured creditors in business reorganizations under Chapter 11 of the Bankruptcy Code, including complex reorganizations

PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITIES

• Member of the Texas, Houston, and American Bar Associations
• Member of the United States Supreme Court, Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals, Federal District Court, Southern District of Texas and Federal District Court, Western District of Texas
• Member of the Texas Independent Producers Organization
• Member of the Risk and Insurance Management Society

EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE

• Indiana University (B.A., 1996)
• Texas Wesleyan School of Law (J.D., 1999)
• Veteran, United States Navy (1987-1991).
  • Awarded Armed Services Expeditionary Medal, Southwest Asia Service Medal.