RELATED SERVICES
INDUSTRIES
PRACTICES
David Patton has over 45 years of experience in various aspects of oil and gas law, including acquisitions and sales of assets or equity interests, and drafting and negotiating leases, contracts and agreements related to field operations. David has represented clients in connection with surface use conflicts, day-to-day exploration and development activities, and the resolution of oil and gas disputes. He is a frequent speaker on oil and gas issues and active in the Rocky Mountain Mineral Law Foundation and the State Bar of Texas. David is Chair Emeritus of the Firm's Energy Practice Group.
CREDENTIALS
Education
- J.D., University of Houston Law Center, 1977
- B.A., The University of Texas at Austin, 1973
Bar Admissions
- Texas, 1977
Professional Affiliations
- Fellow, Texas Bar Foundation
- Sustaining Life Member, Texas Bar Foundation
- Program Chair, State Bar of Texas Oil, Gas and Energy Resources Law Section 75th Anniversary Celebration (October 2013)
- Program Chair, Rocky Mountain Mineral Law Foundation 59th Annual Institute, Spokane, Washington (July 2013)
- Program Chair, Ernest E. Smith Oil, Gas and Mineral Law Institute, University of Texas (2009 and 2011)
- Planning Committee, Ernest E. Smith Oil, Gas and Mineral Law Institute, University of Texas (2009-2023)
- Planning Committee, State Bar of Texas Advanced Oil, Gas and Energy Resources Course (2008-2023)
- Executive Committee, Rocky Mountain Mineral Law Foundation (2009-2011)
- State Bar of Texas Oil, Gas and Energy Resources Law Section
- Chair (2014-2015)
- Chair Elect (2013-2014)
- Vice Chair (2012-2013)
- Secretary (2011-2012)
- Treasurer (2010-2011)
- Council (2007-2014)
- Editor, State Bar of Texas Oil, Gas and Energy Resources Law Section Report (2009-2010)
- Member, State Bar of Texas
- Trustee, Foundation of Natural Resources and Energy Law (representing State Bar of Texas, 2009-2023); (2003-2006, at large)
- Other FNREL Activities:
- Current Chair, Site Selection Committee
- Member Special Institutes Committee
- Chairman, Houston Regional Planning Committee, Annual Institutes (2002-2017)
- Oil & Gas Co-Chairman, Rocky Mountain Mineral Law Foundation Annual Institute (2004)
- Advisory Director, Center for American and International Law
- Former Member, Advisory Board of the Texas Journal of Oil, Gas and Energy Law
- Member, Houston Bar Association
- Member, College of the State Bar of Texas
- Member, Board of Directors, DXP Enterprises, Inc.
- Director, South Texas Chapter, Federal Bar Association (2002-2005)
- Member, Board of Litigation of Mountain States Legal Foundation (2006-2008)
Awards & Recognitions
- Named, Who’s Who Legal Thought Leaders: Energy – Oil and Gas (2025)
- Recognized, The Legal 500 United States, Achievements in the Energy Transactions: Oil and Gas Practice (2023-2024)
- Named, Leading Energy Lawyer, Lawdragon (2023-2024)
- Named, Chambers USA, Nationwide Energy: Oil & Gas (Transactional) (2010-2023)
- Named, The Best Lawyers in America®, Energy Law, Oil and Gas Law (2010-2025)
- Recognized, Global Restructuring Review 100 (2019, 2021-2022)
- Recipient, Ernest E. Smith Lifetime Achievement Award, Texas Journal of Oil, Gas & Energy Law (2018)
- Named, Lifetime Achievement Honoree, Texas Lawyer (2018)
- Recipient, Locke Lord Houston office’s Zivley Award for outstanding contributions to the Firm, office and community (2018)
- Named, "Who's Who in Energy," Houston Business Journal (2013, 2015 and 2016)
- Named, Houston Oil & Gas Law Lawyer of the Year, The Best Lawyers in America® (2012)
- Named, Texas Super Lawyers®, Energy & Natural Resources (2011-2013 and 2016-2019)
Community Leadership
- Past Chairman, Baseball USA
- Past President, Spring Branch Memorial Sports Association
Disclaimer
Please understand that your communications with Locke Lord LLP through this website do not constitute or create an attorney-client relationship with Locke Lord LLP. Any information you send to Locke Lord LLP through this website is on a non-confidential and non-privileged basis. Therefore, do not send or include any information in your email that you consider to be confidential or privileged.