A highly experienced energy law attorney, John concentrates his practice in oil and gas conservation matters before the Oklahoma Corporation Commission. He earned an exceptional reputation for deep knowledge of the oil and gas industry and sharp legal acumen developed over decades. Since 1978, John has negotiated clients’ complex interests when dealing with the model form joint operating agreement. He is a respected authority on pooling orders, which he analyzes, drafts and presents at hearings before the Commission. John is a thorough, highly prepared and vigorous advocate for his clients in contested cases and in appeals to the Oklahoma Supreme Court.

Clients ranging from large oil and gas producers to independent drillers seek John’s strategic, high-quality legal advice to navigate complex issues and disputes. With speed, accuracy and efficiency, he adroitly handles oil and gas conservation matters for working interest owners, including spacing, location exception, multi-unit horizontal well, increased density and pooling proceedings. John provides nuanced understanding and experience in obtaining authorization for units for secondary or tertiary recovery of oil and gas in reservoirs, including drafting plans of unitization and obtaining authorization for injection wells. Accomplished in the practice of oil and gas law and policy, John drafted a significant amount of the state’s Shale Reservoir Development Act in 2011, which helped spur development of horizontal drilling, and he has been involved in drafting the Commission’s rules, particularly on the implementation of drilling horizontal wells.