Baker Botts L.L.P. stands out for its expertise in handling high-value litigation proceedings including litigation related to production sharing agreements, joint operating agreements, and gas gathering and processing agreements. An array of clients encompassing multinational corporations, service companies, pipelines, and major trade organizations routinely engage the team for advice on environmental contamination, emergency response, force majeures, and disputes related to energy shortages and price increases. Practice co-head William Kroger is noted for his track record in handling major oil and gas, power, and renewable energy disputes throughout the US, while fellow co-head Louie Layrisson has considerable expertise in commercial disputes in the oil and gas sectors, and Jason Newman is a specialist in disputes arising from horizontal development in all parts of Texas and throughout the United States. Other key contacts include Tina Nguyen, who frequently represents oil, gas, and renewable clients on pricing disputes and nuisance claims, and Benjamin Gonsoulin, whose broad practice spans energy litigation, environmental contamination claims, and toxic tort claims. Lawyers are based in Houston.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • 'The firm stands out for the quality and availability of its partners, as well as for their knowledge of the market.'
  • 'William Kroger is outstanding and has the capacity to make very complex issues easy.'

Key clients

  • Chevron U.S.A., Inc.
  • ConocoPhillips
  • Courson Oil & Gas
  • Dura-Bond Industries, Inc.
  • Emirates National Oil Company Limited
  • EOG Resources
  • Exxon Mobil Corporation
  • Galp Energia SGPS S.A.
  • Halliburton Company
  • Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
  • Hess Corporation
  • Intercontinental Terminals Company LLC
  • JGE Gas Solutions, LP
  • Kinder Morgan Texas Pipeline, LLC
  • Koch Energy Services
  • Magnolia Oil & Gas Operating LLC
  • Matador Resources Company
  • Murphy Exploration & Production Company
  • Murphy Oil Corporation
  • Occidental Petroleum Corporation
  • Ovintiv USA Inc.
  • Patterson-UTI Energy, Inc.
  • Repsol Oil & Gas USA, LLC
  • Shell Oil Company
  • Southwestern Energy (formerly Indigo Minerals LLC)
  • Sunoco, LP
  • Phillips 66
  • Former Directors & Officers of Lilis Energy, Inc.
  • Former Chairman/CEO of Erin Energy Corporation

Work highlights

  • Represented Intercontinental Terminals Company LLC (“ITC”) in legal proceedings arising out of a fire at ITC’s Deer Park terminal in March 2019, including over 100 private party lawsuit constituting thousands of individual claims.
  • Represented CIMA Energy, Ltd. in a class action lawsuit. Plaintiffs, residents of Kansas cities that are members of the Kansas Municipal Gas Agency (“KMGA”), seek to use the Kansas Consumer Protection Act to challenge the wholesale prices the KMGA agreed to pay CIMA Energy, Ltd. and other defendants for natural gas delivered during a severe winter storm in February 2021.
  • Represented MP Gulf of Mexico, LLC ("Murphy") in multiple proceedings related to Murphy's attempt to recover approximately $50 million in damages for unpaid joint interest billings from TotalEnergies E&P USA, Inc.

Lawyers

Hall of Fame
The lawyers at the very top of the profession, widely known and respected by peers and clients for their longstanding involvement in market-leading work.
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.

William Kroger, Louie Layrisson

Other key lawyers

Jason Newman, Tina Nguyen, Benjamin Gonsoulin