Jason concentrates on complex oil and gas litigation and energy dispute resolution, particularly on matters arising from horizontal drilling. He represents and advises energy companies on legal issues and disputes connected to horizontal development across key U.S. producing regions, including Texas, New Mexico, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia.
Experience
Representative matters
Representative matters
Defended a large Panhandle oil and gas lease against partial termination claims involving a retained acreage clause.
Defended multiple lawsuits alleging breach of royalty provisions, including underpayments, improper flaring, and improper allocation.
Defended a lawsuit involving “frac hits” from horizontal drilling.
Upstream Oil & Gas Producers
Defended a large Panhandle oil and gas lease against partial termination claims involving a retained acreage clause.
Defended multiple lawsuits alleging breach of royalty provisions, including underpayments, improper flaring, and improper allocation.
Defended a lawsuit involving “frac hits” from horizontal drilling.
Obtained summary judgment upholding the validity of an Eagle Ford oil and gas lease.
Secured dismissal of major oil and gas producers from flared gas royalty class action claims in North Dakota.
Obtained summary judgment for multiple operators in lawsuits involving offset well provisions in oil and gas leases.
Defended a lawsuit alleging improper post-production deductions from royalty payments.
Defended a lawsuit involving anti-assignment provisions in Eagle Ford Shale oil and gas leases.
Defended against top-leasing and title claims related to Eagle Ford Shale oil and gas leases.
Defended a lawsuit involving a preferential right to purchase in a joint exploration agreement.
Obtained multiple injunctions restraining interference with surface operations.
Defended a lawsuit involving a top lease and a challenge to the property description in a unit designation.
Defended multiple lawsuits involving mechanic’s and materialman’s liens and mineral liens on oil and gas assets.
Represented clients in multiple Occupational Safety and Health Administration investigations involving injuries during oil and gas operations.
Secured dismissal of a non-resident defendant in an oilfield fatality lawsuit.
Energy Transactions
Represented a purchaser in the $44 million acquisition of West Texas Permian Basin assets.
Represented a purchaser in the acquisition of multiple oil and gas assets in Reeves County, Texas.
Energy Regulatory
Defended a Mineral Interest Pooling Act action before the Railroad Commission of Texas.
Represented an electric utility in multiple disputed rate cases before the Texas Public Utility Commission.
Represented a U.S. natural gas storage company in litigation and regulatory matters before state courts and the Texas Railroad Commission involving gas storage facilities.
Represented a large renewable energy company before the Texas Public Utility Commission in transmission matters involving wind power.
Represented clients in rate and regulatory disputes before the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality involving radioactive waste disposal.
Other Disputes
Represented a foreign investor in recovering proceeds from the sale of Texas oil and gas properties.
Represented a large private company in an insurance dispute with the Federal Crop Insurance Corporation involving crop and drought insurance benefits.
Secured a temporary injunction for a commercial real estate company to prevent eviction from retail property.
Represented a commercial real estate investor in a partnership dispute.
Represented a major electric and gas utility in defending personal injury and property damage claims, including multiple jury trial defense verdicts.
Represented a major electric and gas utility on appeal from a trial court decision granting summary judgment in its favor.
Recognitions
Ranked in Chambers USA for Oil & Gas Litigation (Band 1 since 2020), 2020-2025
Listed as a ’Leading Lawyer’ in The Legal 500 USA for Energy litigation: oil & gas, 2025
Listed as a ’Recommended Energy Litigator’ in the Legal 500 USA, 2013-2015; and in 2020 identified as one of only two lawyers in the U.S. as a ’Leading Lawyer’ for Energy litigation: oil and gas
Credentials
Education
Education
- South Texas College of Law, J.D., summa cum laude, Valedictorian
- Hardin-Simmons University, B.A.
Professional admissions & qualifications
Professional admissions & qualifications
- Texas
Court admissions
Court admissions
- U.S. Court of Appeals - Fifth Circuit
- U.S. District Court - Eastern District of Texas
- U.S. District Court – Southern District of Texas
Professional affiliations
Professional affiliations
- Institute for Energy Law, Advisory Board