Shareholder
CurrentTom is a Shareholder at KRCL, where he serves as the Co-Chair of the Energy, Oil & Gas Practice Group, and for many years he sat on the firm's Board of Directors. Tom has been named a "Rising Star" by Super Lawyers; included among the "Best Lawyers in America," published by U.S. News & World Report; selected by the San Antonio Business Journal for its annual list of "Who's Who in Energy"; and recognized by Houstonia Magazine as one of the top energy attorneys in Houston.When the ownership of mineral and royalty interests are hotly contested, Tom is known for his thoughtful treatment—in the courtroom and on the papers—of the many intricacies that drive these controversies to successful conclusions. He represents clients in matters involving allegations of the underpayment and miscalculation of royalties; violations of continuous drilling and development obligations; and improper deductions for transportation, processing, and other post-production expenses. His diverse industry background also includes advising E&Ps and pipeline companies in mineral trespass and surface-use disputes, and in related proceedings for emergency and preliminary injunctive relief.When mineral owners are impossible to find, he helps oil-and-gas companies establish, administer, and wind down mineral receiverships to ensure that time-sensitive operations are never impeded by missing or emerging interest owners. And, in the event business relationships sour, Tom has earned a reputation for diplomatically—and, when push comes to shove, aggressively—resolving disagreements among joint interest partners and other collaborators in the oil patch.Tom brings to his practice both broad and deep practical experience in the energy sector, which encompasses helping clients with title issues, seismic-related disputes, drilling operations and surface damages, royalty underpayments, offset drilling obligations, bad-faith pooling, cessation of production, and lease termination.
