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W. Clark Lea 
Midland, Texas
Shareholder
phone (432) 897-1440
(866) 721-6665 (Toll Free)
fax (432) 684-3138
email Email Me

Clark is a shareholder in the Litigation Section and heads the firms Employment Law Litigation Practice Group. As a former loan officer with an MBA, Clark brings a business understanding to the realities of employment and oilfield claims. Clark is admitted to practice before the United States Supreme Court, the Fifth and Federal Circuit Courts of Appeals, and all Federal and State Courts of Texas. Clark has recently been appointed by the Texas Supreme Court as a member of the 12 person Board of Disciplinary Appeals, a state-wide appellate entity hearing attorney disciplinary matters where he serves as chair.  Clark is also a board member of the Hospice of Midland Endownment, an  entity managing funds for hospice care.

AREAS OF CONCENTRATION

Employment Litigation

Clark is experienced in resolving employment disputes through his representation of employers. He has successfully represented clients before the EEOC, as well as in Federal and State Courts. Clark has experience litigating claims arising under Title VII, ADEA, FLSA, ADA, and common law causes of action which generally arise in the workplace. He defends employers on claims alleging invasion of privacy, intentional infliction of emotional distress, breach of fiduciary duty, interference with contractual relations, and numerous other causes of action arising out of the employment relationship.

In addition, Clark has drafted and negotiated employment contracts, severance agreements, non-compete covenants, confidentiality agreements, and other contractual matters arising in the employment context. Clark has also drafted and revised employee handbooks as well as general employment policies. Clark has conducted and supervised employee investigations and has advised clients in employment termination and counseling situations.

Oil and Gas Litigation

Clark has broad experience in the arena of oil and gas litigation, having represented clients in lawsuits arising from disputes over the interpretation of Joint Operating Agreements, Area of Mutual Interest Agreements, COPAS Accounting Procedures, Purchase & Sale Agreements, and lease access disputes. Although Clark generally represents operators in oil and gas litigation, he recently represented a non-operator in an Area of Mutual Interest dispute which settled prior to trial for a $9 million payment to his client. In addition to his experience with general oil and gas litigation, Clark has obtained the appointment of receivers for producing properties and has obtained temporary restraining orders and temporary injunctions in connection with oil and gas disputes.

Areas of Practice:
Employment Litigation
Oil and Gas Litigation
Bar Admissions:
Texas
U.S. Bankruptcy Court Eastern District of Texas
U.S. Bankruptcy Court Northern District of Texas
U.S. Bankruptcy Court Southern District of Texas
U.S. Bankruptcy Court Western District of Texas
U.S. District Court Eastern District of Texas
U.S. District Court Northern District of Texas
U.S. District Court Southern District of Texas
U.S. District Court Western District of Texas
U.S. Court of Appeals 5th Circuit
U.S. Supreme Court
Education:
Baylor University School of Law, Waco, Texas, 1990
J.D.
Honors: Phi Delta Phi


Southern Methodist University, Dallas, Texas, 1980
M.B.A.


Austin College, Sherman, Texas, 1979
B.A.


Published Works:
Gas Royalties: Issues for the Third Millennium, Oil and Gas Law and Taxation (Co-Author with Susan R. Richardson, Corby Considine, Michel E. Curry, Ellen M. House), The Southwestern Legal Foundation 47th Annual Institute, February, 1996


Settlement Agreements and Releases, Advanced Civil Trial Course (Co-Author), August 28-30, 2002


Settlement Agreements and Releases, Advanced Civil Trial Course (Co-Author), October 9-11, 2002


Settlement Agreements and Releases, Advanced Civil Trial Course (Co-Author), October 30 - November 1, 2002


Grievances and the Board of Disciplinary Appeals; (Co-authored) with Chris McKeeman, General counsel, Board of Disciplinary Appeals; presented at the State bar of Texas' 33rd annual Advanced Civil Trial seminar, 2010


Professional Associations and Memberships:
12 person Board of Disciplinary Appeals
Member


Fraternities/Sororities:
Alpha Phi Omega
Reliable and Successful Advocates, Since 1974