About Michael Byrd
Michael Byrd has been lead counsel in over 100 mergers, acquisitions, and divestitures
Key Experience
- 38 years of oil and gas industry experience
- Has focused on upstream mergers and acquisitions since 2000
- Board Certified in Oil, Gas and Mineral Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization
Practice
Michael J. Byrd is among a rare breed of oil and gas M&A lawyers who became an oil and gas law expert before ever handling an M&A deal. Before focusing on upstream mergers and acquisitions, Mike was immersed in the nuts and bolts of oil and gas exploration and development for nearly two decades, as both a lawyer and a landman. He has been certified in Oil, Gas and Mineral Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization since 1998, and he has served 5 times as chair of the Oil, Gas and Mineral Law Exam Commission, which writes and grades the exam for that certification. When it comes to M&A transactions, Mike’s deep technical and operational knowledge and 15 years of title examination experience enable him to spot subtle, but critical, issues in purchase and sale agreements. His insights have often led to material purchase price adjustments and reallocation of risk in favor of his clients.
Education
- J.D., University of Texas School of Law, with honors, 1987
- B.B.A., University of Texas at Austin, with honors, 1980
Bar Admissions
- Texas
- Louisiana (inactive)
- Pennsylvania (inactive)
Experience
- Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP
- Partner, 2014-2021
- Baker & McKenzie, LLP
- Partner and Chair, North America Oil and Gas Practice, 2009-2014
- Thompson & Knight, LLP
- Senior Partner, 2006-2009
- Cotton Bledsoe Tighe & Dawson, PC
- Shareholder, 1997-2006
- Jackson & Walker, LLP
- Partner, 1993-1997
- Associate, 1990-1993
- Andrews & Kurth, LLP
- Associate, 1987-1990
- Murff F. Bledsoe III, Inc.
- Independent Petroleum Landman, 1980-1984
Public Service and Affiliations
- Texas Board of Legal Specialization, Chairman of Oil, Gas and Mineral Law Advisory Commission, 2008 to 2012
- Texas Board of Legal Specialization, Chairman of Oil, Gas and Mineral Law Exam Commission, 2009 to 2013
- American and Houston Associations of Professional Landmen
- Advisory Board Member, Institute for Energy Law
Recognition
- Chambers Global
- Energy: Oil & Gas (Transactional), United States, 2019 to 2021
- Chambers USA
- Leading Practitioner in Energy: Oil & Gas, 2013 to 2021
- Texas Super Lawyers (Thomson Reuters)
- Energy & Natural Resources Law, 2008 to 2021
- The Best Lawyers in America (BL Rankings)
- Energy Law, and Oil and Gas Law, 2010 to 2021
- Houston Business Journal’s
- Who’s Who in Energy, 2013, 2014 and 2016
- The Legal 500 US
- Energy, 2015, and Energy Transactions: Oil and Gas, 2020
Selected Speeches & Publications
Watch
Upstream Joint Ventures
“Upstream Joint Ventures,” American Association of Professional Landmen Annual Meeting (Montreal, Canada, June 2014).
- “Maintaining Your Lease When There’s Nowhere to Send Your Oil,” Akin Gump Energy Alert, March 30, 2020.
- “The Elusive ‘Middle of the Road PSA’: Creative and Collaborative Solutions to Current and Recurrent Issues in Purchase and Sale Agreements,” Houston Bar Association Oil, Gas and Mineral Law Section, (Houston, Texas, January 26, 2017).
- “Acquiring Upstream Assets Via Joint Ventures: An In-Depth Study of Deal Structures, Key Negotiating Points, Drafting Tips, and Relevant Law,” Institute for Energy Law, 2nd Mergers & Acquisitions / Acquisitions & Disposals Conference, Houston, Texas, April 14, 2015 (reprinted in The Energy Law Advisor, August 7, 2015).
- “Areas of Mutual Interest – Potential Issues,” Newfield Exploration Land Forum (The Woodlands, Texas, September 2014).
- “Title Defect Issues in Purchase and Sale Agreements,” The University of Texas School of Law 37th Annual Ernest E. Smith Oil, Gas and Mineral Law Institute, April 8, 2011.
- “Anatomy of a Purchase and Sale Agreement for Producing Properties,” 23rd Annual South Texas College of Law Energy Institute for Attorneys and Landmen (September 2010).
- “Common Legal Issues in U.S. Shale Plays,” State Bar of Texas Oil, Gas and Energy Resources Law Section Report, December 2009.