Every oil and gas deal team needs an expert oil and gas lawyer leading and/or heavily supporting the team. I know of no other body of law with as much relevant jurisprudence as oil and gas law. At my core, therefore, I am an oil and gas lawyer who learned to apply my expertise to M&A deals – not just a general corporate specialist who sometimes handles energy deals. I have deep experience in the most fundamental oil and gas legal matters, including title examination, which enables me to spot and address intricate legal issues in transactions that opposing counsel may overlook. This expertise adds unique value to my clients on important company transactions. As just one example, I have successfully identified or contested title defects that have resulted in hundreds of millions of dollars in swings in final purchase price calculations in favor of my clients.
Another of my guiding philosophies is to focus on finding creative, effective, efficient, and collaborative solutions to get past sticky obstacles during negotiations. By ‘collaborative solutions,’ I do not necessarily mean compromise. Rather, I try to identify the concerns of both sides on open issues and strive to come up with creative solutions that work for both sides, compromising only as a last resort.
Finally, I am well-known for negotiating effectively while maintaining a calm, respectful, and professional style, which is founded on the presumption that both sides desire to consummate the transaction and one of our primary tasks is to facilitate that goal while still doing our job as lawyers and advocates.
Over the years, I have found that these core principles have rewarded me in multiple ways. As with most good lawyers, an overwhelming majority of my work comes from repeat business and referrals. But I have also been honored to develop some loyal clients who first encountered me as an adversary on other matters.
-Michael J. Byrd
