JD, magna cum laude, The University of Toledo College of Law (Valedictorian), 2005
BS, magna cum laude, Mechanical Engineering, The Ohio State University, 2001

While in law school, Jeff was a member of The University of Toledo Law Review. He was admitted to practice law in Texas in 2006. 

• Texas State Bar

Energy Litigation:

A primary focus of Jeff's practice is on energy litigation, including the upstream, midstream, downstream, oil field services, and retail sectors.  A few representative matters include:

• Defense of multiple corporate entities and directors in an oil and gas commercial litigation matter in South Texas against various claims including related to alleged breaches of fiduciary duty, in which plaintiffs sought a multi-billion dollar recovery but resulted in a take nothing judgment, see Longview Energy Co. v. Huff Energy Fund LP, 533 S.W.3d 866 (Tex. 2017); see also Huff Energy Fund, L.P. v. Longview Energy Co., 482 S.W.3d 184 (Tex. App. - San Antonio 2015);
• Defense of midstream company in multiple class action lawsuits and regulatory proceedings related to pipeline right-of-way across Indian Reservation;
• Representation of a San Antonio-based oil and gas producer in a top lease and failure to produce in paying quantities dispute involving more than 800 acres of mineral rights in South Texas, in which a recovery of more than $50 million was sought;
• Representation of cogeneration facility in MDL litigation arising out of February 2021 Uri winter storm;
• Defense of oil terminal owner and operator in connection with nine-plaintiff flash fire lawsuit in Jefferson County, Texas, which resulted in full summary judgment for the clients; 
• Defense of numerous multiple royalty disputes, including related to post-production deduction claims, including dismissal of such claims, see, e.g., L.B. Hailey Ltd. Ptnrship v. Encana Oil & Gas (USA), Inc., No. 5:17-cv-001490RCL, 2018 WL 3150691 (W.D. Tex. June 27, 2018);  
• Prosecution of claims on behalf of South Texas mineral owners in a deed dispute relating to more than 2,400 acres of mineral rights in South Texas;
• Representation of oil and gas producer in connection with a South Texas catastrophic oil field incident;
• Defense of a product manufacturer in connection with an oil field fatality that resulted in a verdict exceeding $200 million against another defendant (while our client, the designer and manufacturer of the product at issue, avoided being named as a defendant based on a proactive approach with plaintiffs' counsel);
• Prosecution of fraud-based claims by oil and gas producer against oil field service company;
• Prosecution of claims by oil and gas producer arising out of Gas Purchase Agreement related to right of first refusal;
• Defense of upstream producer in international arbitration relating to sale of Colombian oil and gas blocks;
• Defense of midstream logistics company in automotive accidents involving vehicles driven by company employees;   
• Defense of oil and gas producer against breach of contract claims with alleged damages exceeding $6 million.

Products Liability and Personal Injury Litigation:

Jeff also has extensive experience defending manufacturers, suppliers, retailers, distributors, and operators in complex product liability and personal injury litigation, including against claims of negligence, breach of warranty, Deceptive Trade Practices Act violations, and manufacturing, design, and marketing defects. A few representative cases include:

• Defense of an Ohio-based tire manufacturer in multiple wrongful death and serious injury product liability lawsuits, which resulted in favorable resolutions;
• Defense of venue management company in more than 400 MDL lawsuits arising out of the 2021 Astroworld Festival;
• Defense of a German-based product manufacturer in multiple wrongful death and serious injury product liability lawsuits, which resulted in favorable resolutions;
• Defense of a Texas-based commercial truck retailer in a wrongful death and serious bodily injury product liability lawsuit, which resulted in the manufacturer providing the retailer's indemnity and defense;
• Defense of a Texas-based commercial truck retailer in a breach of warranty lawsuit seeking multi-million dollar commercial damages, which resulted in the manufacturer providing the retailer's indemnity and defense;
• Defense of midstream logistics company in automotive accident lawsuits involving vehicles driven by company employees; 
• Defense of smelting and recycling company in wrongful death arbitration arising from alleged electruction of operator of electric submerged arc furnace, as well as related OSHA proceedings; 
• Defense of environmental services company in automotive accident lawsuits involving company-owned and operated trucks;
• Defense of telecommunications company in personal injury lawsuits arising from automotive accidents involving company vehicles driven by sales and service personnel;
• Defense of a Texas-based commercial equipment retailer in a Deceptive Trade Practices Act (DTPA) and breach of warranty lawsuit, which resulted in dismissal;
• Defense of a Texas-based commercial truck retailer against breach of warranty, DTPA, and fraud claims seeking multi-million dollar commercial damages, which resulted in full summary judgment of all claims against defendant (that had previously been submitted to a hung jury in a prior trial); and
• Defense of Texas-based commercial truck retailer in multiple DTPA, breach of warranty, and product liability lawsuits, which resulted in the retailer's dismissal and/or the manufacturers providing the retailer's indemnity and defense.

Commercial Litigation:

A significant portion of Jeff's practice also focuses on the prosecution and defense of commercial disputes, including breach of fiduciary duty and fraud claims, breach of contract, dissolution of closely-held entities and Sales Representative Act claims. A few representative cases include:

• Prosecution of derivative claims to enjoin continuation of an international fraud and self-dealing scheme, which resulted in a successful recovery;
• Defense and prosecution of various commercial disputes on behalf of internet hosting provider; 
• Defense of large credit union in putative class action related to overdraft fees, which resulted in full summary judgment;
• Pre-litigation prosecution of minority shareholder's claims in response to majority shareholders' attempted "squeeze out," which resulted in a successful dissolution and buyout of the minority shareholder;
• Defense of businessman in various disputes involving closely-held entities, which resulted in summary judgment of all claims asserted against client; and
• Defense of product manufacturer against claims of alleged breach of contract and violations of various states' Sales Representative Acts. 

• Lawdragon 500 Leading Energy Lawyers, Lawdragon, 2023
• Top Attorneys – Oil and Gas, San Antonio Magazine, 2022
• Under 40 Hot List, Benchmark Litigation, Euromoney PLC, 2016, 2018 - 2019
• Labor & Employment Star - South, Energy and Natural Resources, General Commercial, Mass Tort, Benchmark Litigation, Euromoney PLC, 2018 - 2020
• Legal 500 US, Leading Lawyer, Energy litigation: Oil and gas, The Legal 500, 2024
• Legal 500 US, Recommended Lawyer, Product liability, mass tort and class action - defense: automotive/transport, The Legal 500, 2022 - 2024
• Legal 500 US, Recommended Lawyer, Energy litigation: Oil and gas, The Legal 500, 2016, 2023 - 2024
• Outstanding Lawyer, San Antonio Business Journal, 2015
• Who's Who In Energy, San Antonio Business Journal, American City Business Journals, 2012 - 2014
• 40 Under 40, San Antonio Business Journal, 2012
• Texas Rising Star, Thomson Reuters, 2010, 2012 - 2018
• Rising Star, S.A. Scene, Scene Publications LLC, 2009 - 2012
• Best S.A. Lawyers, S.A. Scene, Scene Publications LLC, 2020

• "Preparing for Catastrophe: What to do when the unexpected strikes," Shale Oil & Gas Business Magazine, September/October 2013
• Co-author, "Examine Details in Deals on Shale Land," San Antonio Express-News, July 10, 2012
• "Tire Design Defect Claims: Why Compliance With The Recently Promulgated Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 139 Should Constitute A Defense As A Matter Of Law," 37 University of Toledo Law Review 551, Winter 2006
• Co-author, "Admissibility of Expert Testimony: Where the Rubber Meets the Road," International Association of Defense Counsel, Product Liability Newsletter, October 2006

• Institute for Energy Law
  • Advisory Board Member
• Valero Alamo Bowl
  • Board Member
• San Antonio Bar Association
  • Litigation Section, Past President
• Federal Bar Association
• Big Brothers Big Sisters of South Texas
  • Past Chairman of the Board
• St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church
  • CYO Past President
• Leadership San Antonio
  • Class 39 Member
  • Class 43 Steering Committee