EducatioN
Louisiana State University Paul M. Hebert Law Center, J.D./B.C.L, 2006
College of Charleston, Charleston, SC, B.A. in Corporate Communications, 2002
ADMISSIONS
Louisiana, 2006
U.S. Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit
United States District Court for Eastern, Western and Middle Districts of Louisiana
All Louisiana State Courts
Margaret G. Patton’s practice focuses primarily on oil, gas and energy law. Margaret represents major and independent oil and gas companies in title examination, division order work, and litigation, and she routinely advises her clients in all aspects of oil and gas exploration and production operations, including matters related to lease disputes, mineral owner demands, risk fee issues, contract negotiation and interpretation, statutory interpretation and other issues relevant to the drafting and operation of clauses found in mineral leases, joint operating agreements, and conveyances of mineral rights.
Margaret has drafted hundreds of title opinions for numerous oil and gas companies on acreage in Louisiana’s Haynesville Shale, Cotton Valley and Lower Cotton Valley, Tuscaloosa Marine Shale, Austin Chalk, and other Louisiana plays in both North and South Louisiana and has handled numerous curative projects involving complex title issues.
Margaret routinely represents oil and gas companies with respect to mineral owner demands and working interest owner demands made against her clients under La. R.S. 30:103.1, La. R.S. 31:137, and La. R.S. 30:10. Margaret has a long history of success in reaching favorable and cost effective resolutions of such demands, often times helping her clients avoid costly litigation.
In addition to her work in the area of oil and gas exploration and production, Margaret has represented industrial clients, including oil and gas operators, before LDEQ, LDWF and LDNR, handling permitting and regulatory compliance matters in the areas of air, water and waste. Margaret also routinely represents clients in matters of commercial real estate and transactions and general business litigation.
Margaret is a frequent speaker on a variety of mineral law issues at various oil and gas industry events and has authored two papers for the Louisiana Mineral Law Institute and one paper for the Rocky Mountain Mineral Law Foundation Institute on Mineral Title Examination. Margaret was named a Rising Star by Louisiana SuperLawyers® in the area of Energy and Natural Resources for the year 2020.
Classes / seminars
“Lease Issues to Consider for Mineral Title Examination,” September 26, 2019, Rocky Mountain Mineral Law Foundation Special Institute on Oil & Gas Mineral Title Examination, Westminster, Colorado
"Lender and Bank Liability in Oil and Gas Transactions and the Changing Legal Environment: Implications of Gloria's Ranch, LLC v. Tauren Exploration, et al," March 16, 2018, 65th Annual Louisiana Mineral Law Institute, Baton Rouge, Louisiana
"Selected Clauses of the Mineral Lease," March 20, 2015, 62nd Annual Louisiana Mineral Law Institute, Baton Rouge, Louisiana
"Mineral Lease Issues Arising under Louisiana’s Public Records Doctrine," May 16, 2014, Lafayette Association of Professional Landmen 2014 Spring Education Seminar
"Running the Public Records for Mineral Leasing Purposes," May 12, 2014, Professional Landmen's Association of New Orleans May 2014 Luncheon
Professional & Civic associations
Baton Rouge Bar Association
Law Expo Committee, Chair, 2008 - 2009
Louisiana State Bar Association
Louisiana Oil & Gas Association
Houston Association of Professional Landmen
Baton Rouge Association of Professional Landmen
Professional Landmen's Association of New Orleans
Lafayette Association of Professional Landmen
Women's Energy Network Board of Directors, 2015 - 2016
Louisiana Chemical Association