Mike is a shareholder in the firms Oil, Gas, and Energy Resources Section. He is Board Certified in Oil, Gas and Mineral Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization and is also licensed to practice in New Mexico. He is a member, past director and former President of the Permian Basin Landmens Association. Mike currently serves as Assistant Chairman of the Forms Committee and Chairman of the Publication Committee for the American Association of Professional Landmen. In addition, he has served two terms, including one as chairman, on the City of Midland Planning and Zoning Commission.

AREAS OF CONCENTRATION

Oil and Gas Title Examination and Transactional Work

Mike frequently prepares oil and gas title opinions, including all types of drilling, division order, and acquisition title opinions covering state, federal, and privately owned lands in Texas and New Mexico. The drafting of deeds, leases, operating agreements, farmout agreements, oil and gas leases and assignments, purchase and sale agreements, and similar documents necessary to explore for and develop oil and gas both onshore and offshore is also a regular part of Mikes practice.

Oil and Gas Litigation

Mike often teams up with members of the firms Litigation Section when oil and gas matters are involved in a lawsuit. Mike has participated in state and federal court cases involving construction and enforcement of operating agreements, operator removal problems, areas of mutual interest, Relinquishment Act claims, partition of producing properties, gas processing claims, and other oil and gas related matters.

Real Estate Transactions and Ranching

Mike advises clients in connection with real estate and ranching activities. This representation includes such matters as conveyancing, subdivision matters, private road condemnation, trespass, purchase and sale transactions, environmental matters, agricultural and hunting leases.

Probate and Estate Work

Mike works with the Estate Planning and Probate Section in connection with real property matters and conveyancing related to decedents estates and estate planning. In addition, he supervises all ancillary probate proceedings conducted by the firm in New Mexico state courts.

PROFESSIONAL BACKGROUND

Mike worked as a landman in the oil and gas industry and in the coal and lignite industry. His land experience includes all aspects of the oil and gas industry and ranges geographically from the Gulf Coast to the Rocky Mountains. Mike worked as an independent landman, a field supervisor for a large brokerage company, and an in-house landman for a major oil company.

EDUCATION

• University of Texas, 1973
• J.D., cum laude, Texas Tech University, 1989

While in law school he was on the National Moot Court Team as brief writer, was a Note Editor for the Texas Tech Law Review, was a member of Phi Kappa Phi honor fraternity and the Order of the Coif, and was elected as class speaker.