Nirav N. Patel

BIOGRAPHY

Nirav N. Patel focuses his practice on oil, gas and energy litigation and transactions.  His litigation practice includes claims and disputes related to termination of oil and gas leases, post-production costs, royalty underpayment, joint operating agreements, and purchase and sale agreements.  Mr. Patel also represents clients in title disputes involving mineral and royalty interests, including litigation involving fixed versus floating royalty interests, adverse possession, and deed reformation.  Mr. Patel has significant experience in oil and gas disputes throughout the Permian Basin, the Barnett Shale, and the Eagle Ford Shale.

REPRESENTATIVE EXPERIENCE
  • Trial and appellate counsel for Fort Worth-based oil and gas operator in royalty litigation initiated by six plaintiffs.  Secured summary judgment in favor of client, which was later affirmed by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit
  • Second-chaired trial for oil and gas operator in lease termination and royalty dispute.  Obtained dismissal of all claims, and trial court’s ruling was affirmed by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit
  • Appellate counsel in the Court of Appeals and Texas Supreme Court for oil and gas operator defending trial court’s summary judgment against plaintiff’s claim for trespass and nonpayment of production proceeds.  The Texas Supreme Court re-instated the trial court’s summary judgment rulings in favor of client
  • Represented mineral owner and top lessee in trespass to try title lawsuit seeking to terminate base oil and gas lease in Loving County, Texas.  Successfully obtained releases from all working interest owners in the base lease, thereby clearing client’s title to the leasehold estate
  • Represented institutional mineral owner in title dispute in Reeves County, Texas.  After filing and arguing cross-motions for summary judgment, the case resulted in a highly favorable settlement for the client, including execution of a Stipulation of Interest that recognized client as the valid owner of the entire disputed interest and payment of entire royalty suspense fund of approximately $1 million to client
  • Trial and appellate counsel for landlord in commercial lease dispute with anchor tenant.  Prepared successful Motion for Summary judgment that resulted in dismissal of certain counterclaims and defenses asserted by tenant and prepared successful Motion for Directed Verdict at trial that resulted in a directed verdict and $1.4 million judgment for client.  The judgment was affirmed in its entirety by the San Antonio Court of Appeals
  • Represented Fort Worth-based oil and gas company in claims against two operators for recovery of unpaid royalties for production attributable to non-participating royalty interests in the Eagle Ford Shale.  After extensive settlement negotiations, the operators released the entire suspense fund of $1.5 million to client and agreed to recognize client’s NPRI interest, entitling client to receive royalties for production from 12 horizontal wells
  • Represented Barnett Shale operator in contract and fraud dispute with publicly-traded midstream gathering company.  After prevailing in a critical temporary injunction hearing, the case settled on terms favorable to client, including execution of a new gathering agreement
  • Represented oil and gas lessee in deed interpretation and partial lease termination dispute in Reeves County, Texas.  After filing and arguing cross-motions for summary judgment, the case resulted in a favorable settlement for the client, including execution of new oil and gas lease on deep rights
  • Represented Barnett Shale operator in lawsuit seeking recovery of unpaid joint interest bills from non-operator who counterclaimed to challenge client’s status as operator.  After extensive discovery, the case settled on terms favorable to client, including recognition of its status as operator and payment of nearly $1 million in joint interest bills
  • Successfully represented exploration and production company in lawsuits against oil and gas lessors who unreasonably withheld consent for lessee to assign leases to client, thereby interfering with Purchase and Sale Agreement between lessee and client
  • Counseled non-operating working interest owner in JOA and joint interest billing dispute with operator, resulting in favorable pre-suit settlement and execution of a new JOA
  • Successfully represented mineral owner in disputes related to mineral liens filed by service companies after oil and gas operator failed to pay contractors.  All liens filed against the client’s mineral interest were released without any payment by client
  • Represented non-operating working interest owner in dispute with operator regarding overlapping JOAs and drilling of horizontal wells.  Successfully resolved dispute prior to litigation on terms favorable to client through a negotiated letter agreement that significantly reduced potential non-consent penalties
AFFILIATIONS
  • Tarrant County Bar Association
  • Tarrant County Young Lawyers Association
  • IEL Young Energy Professionals, Member
  • Guardianship Services Inc., Board
HONORS
  • Texas Super Lawyers Rising Stars, Thomson Reuters, 2020-2024
    • Energy & Resources
  • Top Attorney, 360 West magazine, 2023, 2024
    • Oil & Gas Law
  • Top Attorney less than five years in practice, 360 West magazine, 2018-2022
    • Oil & Gas Law
  • Top Attorney less than five years in practice, Fort Worth Magazine, 2018-2020, 2022-2024
    • Oil & Gas Law
  • Top 50 Multicultural Lawyer in the Dallas/Fort Worth area, Texas Diversity Council, 2017
EDUCATION
  • Texas Tech University School of Law, J.D., summa cum laude, 2016
    • Order of the Coif
    • Texas Tech Law Review: Executive Managing Editor (Vol. 48); Staff Member (Vol. 47)
    • Board of Barristers
    • National Moot Court Competition
    • Duberstein Bankruptcy Moot Court Competition (Outstanding Advocacy Award)
  • Texas Tech University, B.A., summa cum laude, 2013
    • Highest Ranking Graduate in College of Arts & Sciences
ADMISSIONS
  • State Bar of Texas
SPEECHES & PUBLICATIONS

Nirav N. Patel

Associate

nirav.patel@kellyhart.com
P: (817) 878-9362
F: (817) 878-9280

V-Card

Licenses

  • State Bar of Texas

Practice Areas

Texas Super Lawyers Rising Stars, Thomson Reuters, 2020-2024