Jonathan Baughman, partner at McGinnis Lochridge and chair of the firm’s oil & gas team, represents major energy clients such as ExxonMobil and XTO Energy in complex disputes across the litigation lifecycle. His work spans upstream, midstream, and downstream matters, including issues involving pipeline infrastructure, joint operating agreements, force majeure claims, and commercial disputes arising out of severe weather events. He regularly handles cases involving multi-million-dollar claims, often with overlapping regulatory, contractual, and operational dimensions.

Stephen Crain, chair of litigation at Bracewell LLP, leads major energy litigation matters, representing clients such as Apache, Chevron, and Tenaska. His recent work includes defending royalty class actions in New Mexico and Oklahoma, a carbon dioxide trespass case in Texas, and market manipulation claims stemming from Winter Storm Uri. He has also handled indemnity disputes related to legacy environmental claims and argued billion-dollar contract cases before the Texas Supreme Court.

Christopher Hogan, founding partner of Hogan Thompson Schuelke LLP, represents major oil and gas companies in high-stakes disputes across the full litigation lifecycle. He recently secured victories for Ovintiv in a royalty recoupment case in Texas and for Mewbourne Oil in a top lease dispute in Oklahoma. Hogan also overturned an adverse ruling for Long Point Energy in a deed interpretation case in the Utica Shale. His practice spans key energy basins and complex upstream matters.

Richard Howell Jackson Walker L.L.P. focuses on complex midstream and downstream energy litigation. He recently represented Constellation Energy in Winter Storm Uri-related disputes and American Midstream in a Texas Supreme Court case clarifying contract enforcement in the energy sector. He also handled a $500m antitrust suit for Converge Midstream and defended Williams Pipeline in price-fixing claims. His work spans pipeline regulation, market power abuse, and flaring disputes, often involving overlapping state and federal regulatory frameworks.

Tracy LeRoy at Yetter Coleman LLP, is lead counsel on major energy litigation with national impact. She secured a $100m settlement for the Venoco Liquidating Trust following a pipeline rupture in Santa Barbara and a $72 million jury verdict for Southwestern Energy in a mineral trespass case in Ohio – both matters continuing through post-trial motions. Her practice focuses on complex upstream and midstream disputes, including drilling rights, natural gas, and high-stakes litigation against major industry players.

Tim McConn at Yetter Coleman LLP focuses on high-stakes upstream oil and gas litigation. He recently secured a $100 million settlement in California for the Venoco Liquidating Trust after an eight-week trial over a pipeline rupture. In West Texas, he represented Great Western Drilling and Davoil in a farmout dispute against Pioneer, resolved on the eve of trial. He also represents Chevron in ongoing litigation, reflecting his national practice and deep industry expertise.

Brian Ross at Gibbs & Bruns LLP regularly handles complex energy litigation. He recently secured a complete defense verdict for Hi-Crush Permian Sand in a jury trial over an alleged breach of contract related to frac sand supply. Ross continues to represent leading energy sector clients in high-stakes commercial disputes across Texas and maintains a strong trial-focused practice.

Amy Baird at Jackson Walker L.L.P. continues to lead in high-stakes midstream energy litigation. Her recent matters include a $500m antitrust suit brought by Converge Midstream against Magellan and a $5m gas transport fee dispute for Constellation Energy against Energy Transfer – both of which settled prior to trial. Her practice focuses on complex contract and pipeline disputes, often involving multi-jurisdictional regulatory issues. Major clients such as Kinder Morgan and Constellation Energy rely on Baird for both litigation and transactional counsel related to pipeline operations.

Bradley Benoit at Bracewell LLP focuses on high-stakes oil and gas litigation, representing major energy companies in complex commercial disputes. He is playing a lead role in Apollo Exploration LLC v. Apache Corp., a significant case involving claims tied to mineral leases, mutual interest agreements, and accounting obligations in the Permian Basin, with alleged damages exceeding $1.1bn. His current docket also includes class action royalty disputes and energy-related litigation involving intricate contractual and operational issues.

Sam Cruse at Gibbs & Bruns LLP has a growing energy-focused litigation practice representing leading industry clients in complex disputes. He is currently lead counsel to Anadarko in a federal lawsuit concerning offshore joint operating rights, following prior litigation over leasehold obligations. He also represents Cockrell Investment Partners in a closely watched groundwater permitting dispute before the Texas Supreme Court. Beyond the energy sector, Cruse handles high-value commercial matters, including representing Fannie Mae in LIBOR litigation and defending fiduciaries in complex trust disputes.

Claudia Frost of Steptoe LLP brings offers extensive experience of high-stakes energy litigation, with a practice that spans trial, appellate, and strategic advisory work. Her clients include major players across the energy sector – both traditional and renewable – and she is frequently called upon to lead in complex, multi-party disputes. Known for her ability to manage litigation from start to finish, Frost combines deep sector knowledge with appellate strength, offering clients continuity and insight across the full dispute lifecycle.

Geoff Gannaway at Beck Redden, represents EOG Resources in a breach of contract case involving a water treatment unit that was never delivered as promised, with trial set for September 2025. He also represents Maverick Natural Resources and Breitburn Operating in California litigation, where plaintiffs allege toxic contamination and property damage stemming from oilfield operations.

Stephen Lee at Porter Hedges LLP represents energy and chemical sector clients in high-value disputes. His recent matters include a multi-million-dollar bench trial over post-sale working capital adjustments, litigation involving hydraulic fracturing equipment contracts, and arbitration under a farmout agreement tied to upstream operations. With a practice spanning upstream and downstream sectors, Lee regularly handles complex claims involving operating agreements, equipment cancellations, and contract performance – often stepping in at the trial stage.

Ayesha Najam at Gibbs & Bruns LLP has played a leading role in complex energy litigation across the country. She helped Occidental and Anadarko secure and uphold a $48 million judgment against Wells Fargo over the mishandling of a trust tied to post-merger share conversions. Najam also represents Carlton Energy Group in a high-value probate dispute involving a claimed ownership interest following a $150 million arbitration award. Alongside her energy work, she leads Google’s defense in a major multistate antitrust case.

James Schuelke  is an experienced litigator at Hogan Thompson Schuelke LLP  and specializes in complex construction, midstream, and petrochemical litigation matters. Schuelke represents a range of energy companies like Chevron, Deven Energy, and most recently Ovintiv USA, Inc where Schuelke acted as co-lead counsel in a joint operating agreement dispute.

Robert Woods at Yetter Coleman LLP has recently led several significant energy litigation matters. He represented Great Western Drilling and Davoil in a $100 million lease dispute against Pioneer Natural Resources, which settled on the eve of trial. He also secured summary judgment for Southwestern Energy in a class action alleging “well bashing” in West Virginia. For Mewbourne Oil, Woods is currently litigating a hydraulic fracturing dispute involving jurisdictional challenges and competing claims with North Fork Operating in New Mexico.

Courtney Ervin, a partner at Hicks Thomas LLP, represents clients in complex commercial litigation across the energy, insurance, and manufacturing sectors. Her practice includes acting as lead counsel for major oil and gas companies, private equity-backed entities, and one of the largest commercial property insurers in the US. She is currently representing FuelCellsEtc, a fuel cell component manufacturer, in an $11m federal dispute over custom catalyst-coated membranes. Ervin also handles litigation in construction, real estate, IT, and healthcare sectors.

Molly Pela at Oliva Gibbs LLP focuses her national practice on upstream oil and gas disputes. She advises E&P clients across the full litigation lifecycle—from risk mitigation and policy review to courtroom advocacy. Her recent matters span complex title and royalty disputes, interpleader actions, receivership cases, and claims involving long-lost heirs.

Joseph Thompson at Porter Hedges LLP focuses his practice on high-stakes disputes across the upstream and midstream energy sectors. With experience spanning Texas, Louisiana, Pennsylvania, and beyond, he represents a diverse group of clients including ExxonMobil, ConocoPhillips, CNOOC Energy USA, and the University of Texas System’s University Lands. His cases often involve complex royalty payment disputes, post-production activities, environmental remediation efforts, and indemnity obligations.