Austin represents Texas operators and non-operators in complex issues and disputes. He seeks practical solutions to avoid litigation, but adopts aggressive courtroom strategies when necessary.
The Texas Supreme Court clarified that when challenging a foreclosure judgment due to a due process violation, the party must provide evidence. In this case, the Gill parties failed to prove inadequate notice, so the court upheld the statute of limitations defense.
The Railroad Commission can’t determine property rights, so its operator records don’t establish whether a lessor holds a leasehold interest or is entitled to operate under an oil and gas lease. Ownership and operational rights are property-law issues.
For oil and gas operators, few things are more frustrating than discovering you may have been overpaying royalties to a person or entity in your paydeck.
McGinnis Lochridge's Oil & Gas Newsletter: Producer's Edge keeps clients informed about Texas oil and gas case law, regulatory updates, and insightful articles relevant to the oil and gas community. Download the seventh issue of Producer's Edge here....
The appellate court held that no extrinsic evidence was needed to interpret a will granting each beneficiary a 1/10 interest in the Dragon Unit mineral interest, limited to 21.26 acres within the 118.4-acre tract, not the entire tract.
This case emphasizes the critical role expert testimony can play in oil and gas litigation. Securing the right testimony is just one aspect of the challenge; it is also critical to plan ahead to ensure the evidence is properly admissible.
