Joseph Fitzsimons presented on the topic of "Rights of the Surface Owner" at the Texas Land and Mineral Owners Association Statewide Members Meeting in San Antonio on October 20, 2016. To view the presentation, click here.
Ezra Johnson spoke at the South Texas Commercial Association of Realtors on July 11, 2016 on the topic of “Surface and Mineral Rights in Texas”. His presentation included a discussion of surface impacts of oil and gas development, rights of ingress and egress, reasonable use of the surface, and how buyers can protect their surface rights.
Robert Park was quoted in an article written by Jennifer Hiller of the San Antonio Express-News titled “Oil field water spills a gray area for regulation” on June 10, 2016. The article discusses a situation wherein a drilling company emptied the contents of a frac pond, and questionable fluids ran onto a neighboring rancher’s property, and the resulting ramifications, both environmentally and legally, the parties might face. For the complete article, click here.
Joseph Fitzsimons, along with sister Pamela Howard, will be recognized on May 19 by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department during their annual banquet, for their contribution to natural resource conservation and management. Along with six other ranches, the San Pedro Ranch will receive this award because owners Fitzsimons and Howard have implemented several wildlife habitat management techniques to improve the native habitat. For more information about the Land Steward Awards, and the San Pedro Ranch, you may read the full article posted on the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department site by clicking here.
F. Parks Brown is now a member of The Texas Bar College. The Texas Bar College is an honorary society of lawyers who are among the best trained attorneys in Texas. The College recognizes Texas lawyers who attend at least double the Continuing Legal Education (CLE) required by the State Bar of Texas. Members are qualified attorneys who are interested in both high ethical standards and improved training for all Texas attorneys.
Partner J. Byron “Trace” Burton, III has been appointed to the Nueces River Authority Board of Directors by Governor Greg Abbott. The Authority administers the control, employment, and conservation of the waters of the Nueces River Basin, forestation and reforestation, groundwater, storm water, floodwater, water quality control, solid waste, and parks and recreational facilities. Trace’s term will be for three years, expiring on February 1, 2019.
Associate Robert Park has been recognized in the Texas Rising Stars 2016 edition of Texas Super Lawyers Magazine. Nominated by other attorneys, this honor is reserved for those lawyers who exhibit excellence in practice. This is Robert’s third year as a Rising Star.
Joseph Fitzsimons spoke at the 20th Annual Texas Land Conservation Conference on March 3, 2016 on the topic of “Mineral Rights Issues and How to Negotiate Them in a Conservation Easement.” The conference was hosted by the Texas Land Trust Council (TLTC). The TLTC was formed in the late 1990s in partnership with the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department to serve as a support association for all land trusts in Texas. Today, TLTC is an independent nonprofit organization that continues to promote and sustain the conservation efforts of Texas land trusts.
Ezra Johnson recently became a member of The Texas Bar College. The Texas Bar College is an honorary society of lawyers who are among the best trained attorneys in Texas. Members are qualified attorneys who are interested in both high ethical standards and improved training for all Texas attorneys. The Texas Supreme Court established the State Bar College on December 14, 1981. It recognizes and represents lawyers who make an extraordinary commitment to professional education.
Joseph Fitzsimons recently joined The Academy of Medicine, Engineering & Science of Texas (“TAMEST”) Shale Task Force, which was created to review the impacts of shale oil and gas development in Texas. The purpose of the study is to help all Texans understand what we do and do not know about the potential environmental and other impacts of shale development and hydraulic fracturing for oil and gas. The issue is of great concern to Texas and both the public and decision makers are continuously provided potentially confusing and/or conflicting information. The goal of the study is to evaluate the scientific…