Burleson LLP Appoints Two Partners in San Antonio

SAN ANTONIO, May 9, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- The energy law firm of Burleson LLP today appointed two attorneys as partners in its San Antonio office – Michael S. Browning and R. Mark Payne.    

Browning is board certified in oil, gas, and mineral law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization and has worked at Burleson's San Antonio location since it opened in November of last year to serve companies with an interest in the Eagle Ford Shale.  Payne – who, until now, has worked in the firm's Houston office – has a broad background in energy law.  He concentrates his practice in oil and gas law, with an emphasis on title, unitization, pooling, and leasing issues in the Eagle Ford Shale.  

With these attorneys as partners – together with the 11 associates and senior counsel in the San Antonio office – the office moved to a new location on May 1st in the Weston Center.  The firm has leased nearly 10,000 square feet of office space on the seventh floor of the building, which is located at 112 East Pecan Street.  

"Both Payne and Browning have played a central role in our firm's overall growth strategy.  They have extensive experience in the energy industry and have built solid reputations based on skill, performance, and accountability," said Rick Burleson, managing partner.  "I'm proud of all they have accomplished so far in their careers and couldn't be more pleased to have them as partners."

Browning previously served as managing counsel for the San Antonio office.  He has rendered numerous title opinions, including those for drilling, division orders, leaseholds, and acquisitions, and has advised clients on a range of issues, involving oil, gas, and mineral titles; pooling and unitization; community leases; undivided mineral ownership; and leasehold estates.  

He has presented for the San Antonio Association of Professional Landmen, an organization in which he is a member, and is involved in the College of State Bar of Texas and the San Antonio Bar Association Natural Resources Section.  

Payne is licensed to practice in both Pennsylvania and Texas.  In addition to his experience as an attorney, he has trained petroleum geologists for two Houston-based organizations, overseeing the land department of an independent E&P company and has served as an exploration manager, overseeing more than 50 exploratory wells.  

He has taught oil and gas law and advanced civil litigation as an adjunct professor at Houston Baptist University and the Texas Wesleyan School of Law.  

About Burleson LLP

Burleson LLP has earned a reputation as the energy law firm the energy industry goes to. It has grown significantly in recent years with over 75 attorneys and offices in Houston, San Antonio, and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Serving clients in the upstream and midstream segments, the firm provides counsel to oil and gas producers, transportation companies, storage and processing businesses, and energy service providers. Burleson's far-reaching experience includes mergers, acquisitions, and divestitures; finance; private equity; venture capital; securities; corporate governance and compliance; patents and intellectual property; title review; real estate; litigation; and bankruptcy/restructuring, land use, and environmental law. For further information, visit www.burlesonllp.com.

SOURCE Burleson LLP