Norton Rose Fulbright US LLP’s energy litigation lawyers are routinely engaged by a wide range of domestic and international clients, including major oil companies, pipelines, and energy traders, in high value energy disputes and litigation. Commercial litigation specialist Melanie Rother leads the team and regularly represents major clients, including Occidental Petroleum, Anadarko Petroleum, and Shell, in complex litigation before state and federal courts throughout the US. Experienced litigator Daniel McClure is a go-to choice for commercial litigation, including class actions, royalty disputes, and contract disputes, while San Antonio-based Jeffrey Webb represents upstream, midstream, downstream, oilfield services, and retail companies, particularly in traditional oil and gas disputes. Other key contacts include Reagan Brown, whose extensive practice includes commercial litigation, royalty disputes and serious personal injury and wrongful death litigation, and energy litigation expert Carter Dugan. Lawyers are in Houston unless otherwise stated.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • 'Excellent service and lawyer quality. Great firm.'
  • 'Daniel McClure is an exceptional lawyer for complex oil and gas royalty litigation.'
  • 'The team has deep knowledge of the energy industry and the types of disputes that arise. They are strong in general commercial litigation, antitrust litigation, and international arbitrations.'
  • 'Reagan Brown is an outstanding strategist and phenomenal trial lawyer who connects with juries and makes complex concepts easy to understand.'
  • 'Carter Dugan goes toe-to-toe with aggressive opposing counsel, is great at witness preparation, has a keen analytical mind, is an excellent persuasive writer, and has a nice courtroom manner.'

Key clients

  • EOG Resources, Inc.
  • Shell
  • DCP Midstream LP
  • ExxonMobil Oil Corporation
  • Chevron
  • Merit Energy Company, LLC
  • TGS-NOPEC Geophysical Company
  • Occidental Petroleum Company (including Anadarko Petroleum Corporation matters)
  • Western Gas Partners, LP
  • Phillips 66
  • Andeavor Logistics, L.P., Andeavor f/k/a Tesoro Corporation
  • Tesoro High Plains Pipeline Company LLC

Work highlights

  • Represented EOG Resources in multiple class actions.
  • Represented Shell Oil Company in tortious interference lawsuit filed by Genesis Energy, who sought in excess of US$35 million in actual damages along with punitive damages.
  • Represented Western Gas Partners, LP in a declaratory judgment action.

Lawyers

Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.

Practice head

The lawyer(s) leading their teams.

Melanie Rother

Other key lawyers

Daniel McClure, Jeffrey Webb, Reagan Brown, Carter Dugan