With energy clients ranging from onshore and offshore producers and midstream companies to oilfield service providers and mineral interest owners, Jim Ormiston focuses on solving the entire gamut of problems that can arise during the exploration, production and transportation of oil and gas. Although the majority of his practice involves handling energy litigation, Jim is also well-equipped to represent clients in other complex commercial disputes in jurisdictions across Texas and the rest of the country.
Energy clients rely on Jim to find creative, cost-effective solutions for disputes in major markets and rural counties all over the state. He has deep experience in resolving every type of litigation clients may encounter in the energy space, including joint operating agreement disputes, COPAS accounting disputes, claims involving natural gas or crude oil purchase and sale contracts, gas processing and balancing agreement disputes, claims involving oil & gas gathering and transportation agreements, surface use and damages claims, improper pooling and failure to develop issues, royalty and post-production expense disputes, and title adjudications.
Jim never passes on an opportunity to help clients resolve challenging commercial dispute outside the energy sector, particularly when unique issues are involved and the stakes are high. He has guided plaintiffs and defendants to favorable outcomes in litigation covering a broad range of industries and issues, including everything from real estate disputes, theft of trade secrets and fraud, to class actions/mass torts, employment-related matters and breach of fiduciary duties.
Complex cases often go beyond the trial court and require appellate review. Unlike most trial lawyers, Jim embraces the appellate process and manages every aspect of the appeal process to ensure his clients’ interests are fully protected, whether he's seeking to overturn an unfavorable decision or defending a favorable one. He has handled numerous post-judgment and interlocutory appeals before courts across Texas and the country, resulting in 19 published opinions to date.