Rick is a shareholder in the firm's Litigation Section. Prior to joining the firm in 1986, Rick served as a briefing attorney for the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Texas. He is a frequent speaker and published author on oil and gas litigation issues and is Board Certified in Personal Injury Trial Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization.

AREAS OF CONCENTRATION

Commercial Litigation

Rick devotes much of his trial practice to commercial disputes, including tortious interference with contract and prospective contractual relations, fraud, negligent misrepresentation, breach of fiduciary duty, commercial product liability, deceptive trade practices, federal and state securities violations, and antitrust.

Oil and Gas Litigation

Rick has extensive experience representing oil and gas companies, as well as individuals, in a variety of issues including litigation of operating agreements, master service agreements, enforceability of indemnity provisions, geophysical trespass incidents, and other related areas. His work in the surface access and geophysical trespass area has resulted in Rick handling matters all across Texas and eastern New Mexico, particularly when injunctive relief is involved.

Personal Injury Defense

Rick began his law practice by defending major insurance companies and their insureds from personal injury claims, and this is still a big part of his practice, particularly those arising from catastrophic oil field accidents.

EDUCATION

In law school, Rick served as the Articles Editor for the Texas Tech Law Review, authored two published articles on oil, gas, and property issues, served as the student editor for the Texas Bank Lawyer newsletter, was a member of the Order of the Coif, and was named the school's Outstanding Law School Graduate.