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Our Attorneys

Robert C. Bledsoe 
Midland, Texas
Founding Member
Shareholder
phone (432) 897-1440
(866) 721-6665 (Toll Free)
fax (432) 684-3107
email Email Me

Bob is a founding member of the firm and has practiced law for 45 years. He is a shareholder in the Oil, Gas, and Energy Resources Section and is licensed to practice law in both Texas and New Mexico. Bob is Board Certified in Oil, Gas and Mineral Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization and has served on the board for the Oil and Gas Specialization Examination.

AREAS OF CONCENTRATION

Oil and Gas Title Examination and Transactional Work

Bob has always devoted his practice to oil and gas law. For over 40 years, he has rendered title opinions, prepared documents relating to oil and gas exploration and production, and consulted with clients concerning a multitude of oil and gas transactions. His practice includes preparation of assignments, leases, farmout/farmin agreements, operating agreements, purchase and sale agreements, easements, gas contracts and other documents relating to the oil and gas business. Bob served as one of the early draftsmen of the Prudhoe Bay Unit Agreement and Unit Operating Agreement, and is renowned for having published numerous papers discussing various aspects of the model operating agreement.

Oil and Gas Litigation

Bob has also worked extensively in litigation concerning oil and gas issues in an advisory role at the trial court level, and has been involved in presenting motions for summary judgment and appellate arguments in certain high profile cases. He has extensive experience as an expert witness on matters of oil and gas law and has recently expanded his practice to include service as a mediator and arbitrator in oil and gas disputes.

EDUCATION

  • B.B.A, University of Texas (transferred from New Mexico Military Institute)
  • J.D., University of Texas

While in Law School, Bob served on the Texas Law Review's Board of Editors.

COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES

In addition to having served in the Air Force during the Korean War, Bob has been active in the Midland community. He served on the Midland Board of the Salvation Army, including one year as President, the United Way Board, and the Board of Casa de Amigos, serving one year as President. He has also been active in St. Nicholas Episcopal Church for 40 years, having served in various leadership capacities.

Areas of Practice:
Oil and Gas Title Examination and Transactional Work
Oil and Gas Litigation
Certification/Specialties:
Oil, Gas and Mineral Law, Texas Board of Legal Specialization


Bar Admissions:
Texas, 1955
New Mexico, 1958
Education:
Texas Southern University Thurgood Marshall School of Law, Houston, Texas, 1955
LL.B.
Law Review: Texas Law Review, Member, Editorial Board, 1954 - 1955


The University of Texas School of Law, Austin, Texas
J.D.
Law Review: Texas Law Review, Editorial Board


University of Texas, Austin, Texas, 1952
B.B.A.


Published Works:
The Operating Agreement: Matters Not Covered or Inadequately Covered, 47th Annual Rocky Mountain Mineral Law Institute, Santa Fe, New Mexico, July 18-21, 2001


Ten Unworkable Aspects Of The Model Form Operating Agreement and Suggestions, 18TH Annual Advanced Oil, Gas and Mineral Law Course, Houston, Texas, September 21-22, 2000


1995 COPAS Accounting procedure, or, is it A Very Hard Undertaking to Seek to Please Everybody, (Co-Author with Susan Richardson), Dallas Bar Association, Energy Law Section, Review of Oil and Gas Law XII, Dallas, Texas, August 21-22, 1997


A Shaky Marriage: Joinder of form Joint Operating Agreement and Form Accounting Procedure, (Co-Author with Susan Richardson), COPAS of Dallas Hot Topics Education Day Seminar, Dallas, Texas, June, 1997


Litigating The Operating Agreement, 12th Annual Advanced Oil, Gas and Mineral Law Institute, State Bar of Texas, October, 1994


Ten Most Common Defects That Impede Closings and What to do, Southwestern Legal Foundation, 43rd Annual Institute on Oil and Gas Law, February, 1992


Ten Most Common Defects That Impede Closings and What to do, Permian Basin Landmans Association, January, 1991


Other Provisions for Operating Agreements, AAPL Convention, June, 1990


Current Problems Between Operators and Non-Operators in Operating Agreements, Southwestern Legal Foundation, February, 1989


Current Developments in Oil and Gas Conveyancing, Review of Oil and Gas Law III, Oil, Gas and Mineral Law Section, Dallas Bar Association, July 28-29, 1988


The Sabine problems And Pitfalls, Oil and Gas Law: Texas and Louisiana Style, (Co-Author with Tevis Herd), Texas and Louisiana Style, South Texas College of Law, June 16-23, 1988


Operating Agreements From the Standpoint of the Non-Operator, Advanced Oil, Gas and Mineral Law Institute, State Bar of Texas, October, 1985


A Detailed Look at Farmout Agreements, Advanced Oil, Gas and Mineral Institute, State Bar of Texas, September, 1986


Liens--Types, Creation, and Perfection, Advanced Oil, Gas and Mineral Law Institute, State Bar of Texas, October, 1983


Effects of Bankruptcy Laws on Oil and Gas Liens, Advanced Bankruptcy Institute, State Bar of Texas, May 6, 1983


Problem Areas in Drafting Operating Agreements some Suggested Solutions, Advanced Oil, Gas and Mineral Law Institute, State Bar of Texas, March 25, 1983


Problem Areas in Drafting Operating Agreements some Suggested Solutions, Advanced Oil, Gas and Mineral Law Institute, State Bar of Texas, October 15, 1981


Conveyance of Oil and Gas Interests, Southwestern Legal Foundation 32nd Institute On Oil and Gas Law and Tax 83, 1981


Selected Creditor Joint Interest Operations, Southwestern Legal Foundation 23rd Institute On Oil and Gas Law and Tax, February, 1972


Classes/Seminars Taught:
Speaker, The Operating Agreement: Matters Not Covered or Inadequately Covered, 47th Annual Rocky Mountain Mineral Law Institute, Santa Fe, New Mexico, July 18, 2001 - July 21, 2001


Speaker, Ten Unworkable Aspects of the Model Form Operating Agreement and Suggestions, 18th Annual Advanced Oil, Gas and Mineral Law Course, Houston, Texas, September, September 21, 2000 - September 22, 2000


Speaker, 1995 COPAS Accounting procedure, or, is it a Very Hard Undertaking to Seek to Please Everybody, Dallas Bar Association, Energy Law Section, Review of Oil and Gas Law XII, Dallas, Texas, August 21, 1997 - August 22, 1997


Speaker, A Shaky Marriage: Joinder of Form Joint Operating Agreement and Form Accounting Procedure, COPAS of Dallas Hot Topics Education Day Seminar, Dallas, Texas, 1997


Speaker, Trouble Spots in the Operating Agreement, Psl, Inc., Houston, Texas, August 29, 1995


Speaker, Litigating the Operating Agreement, 12th Annual Advanced Oil, Gas and Mineral Law Institute, State Bar of Texas, 1994


Speaker, Ten Most Common Defects That Impede Closings and What to do, Southwestern Legal Foundation, 43rd Annual Institute on Oil and Gas Law, Dallas Bar Association, 1992


Speaker, The Ten Most Regrettable Oil and Gas Decisions Ever Issued by the Texas Supreme Court, 8th Annual Advanced Oil, Gas and Mineral Law Course, State Bar of Texas, 1990


Speaker, The Ten Most Regrettable Oil and Gas Decisions Ever Issued by the Texas Supreme Court, 8th Annual Advanced Oil, Permian Basin Landmans Association, 1991


Speaker, Other Provisions for Operating Agreements, AAPL Convention, 1990


Speaker, Current Problems Between Operators and Non-Operators in Operating Agreements, Southwestern Legal Foundation, 1989


Speaker, Current Developments in Oil and Gas Conveyancing, Review of Oil and Gas Law III, Oil, Gas and Mineral Law Section, Dallas Bar Association, July 28, 1988 - July 29, 1988


Speaker, Crossing The Sabine problems and Pitfalls, Oil and Gas Law: Texas and Louisiana Style, South Texas College of Law, June 16, 1988 - June 23, 1988


Speaker, Operating Agreements From the Standpoint of the Non-Operator, Advanced Oil, Gas and Mineral Law Institute, State Bar of Texas, 1985


Speaker, A Detailed Look at Farmout Agreements, Advanced Oil, Gas and Mineral Institute, State Bar of Texas, 1986


Speaker, Liens--Types, Creation, and Perfection, Advanced Oil, Gas and Mineral Law Institute, State Bar of Texas, 1983


Speaker, Effects of Bankruptcy Laws on Oil and Gas Liens, Advanced Bankruptcy Institute, State Bar of Texas, 1983


Speaker, Problem Areas in Drafting Operating Agreements some Suggested Solutions, Advanced Oil, Gas and Mineral Law Institute, State Bar of Texas, March 25, 1983


Speaker, Problem Areas in Drafting Operating Agreements some Suggested Solutions, Advanced Oil, Gas and Mineral Law Institute, State Bar of Texas, October 15, 1981


Speaker, Conveyance of Oil and Gas Interests, Southwestern Legal Foundation 32nd Institute On Oil and Gas Law and Tax 83, 1981


Speaker, Selected Creditor joint Interest Operations, Southwestern Legal Foundation 23rd Institute On Oil and Gas Law and Tax, 1972


Professional Associations and Memberships:
Midland County Bar Association, 1974 - 1975
President


Midland County Bar Association
Member


American Bar Association
Member


State Bar of Texas
Member


Bar Association of New Mexico
Member


Pro Bono Activities:
President, The United Way Board
President, Board of Casa de Amigos
Member, St. Nicholas Episcopal Church
Fraternities/Sororities:
Phi Delta Phi
Reliable and Successful Advocates, Since 1974