Matt Sjoberg

Matt Sjoberg has over thirty years of experience in representing both oil and gas producers and mineral owners in the State and Federal Courts of Texas, the U.S. Court of Appeals, Fifth Circuit, and before the Railroad Commission of Texas. Matt represents clients on both sides of the docket and has served as lead trial and appellate counsel in disputes involving title matters, competing surface uses, executive rights, non-participating royalty interests, joint operating agreements, farmout agreements, oilfield contamination, lease termination, and lease maintenance, among others. Matt’s training and experience as a petroleum geologist give him a unique ability to understand and communicate with his clients about their goals. In addition, Matt frequently negotiates oil, gas and mineral leases for mineral owners and oil companies. Matt has also represented clients in several large transactions involving the purchase and sale of oil and gas properties and the acquisition of properties for mining purposes.

Prior to becoming an attorney, Matt worked as a petroleum landman, as the New Field Discovery Geologist for the Railroad Commission of Texas, and as a petroleum exploration geologist.

Selected Cases

Matt served as trial and appellate counsel in the following selected cases:

• Springer Ranch, Ltd. v. Jones, 421 S.W.3d 273 (Tex. App . – San Antonio 2013, no pet.);
• Merriman v. XTO Energy Inc., 407 S.W.3d 244 (Tex. 2013);
• R. M. Crowe Property Services Co., L.P. v. Strategic Energy, LLC, 348 S.W.3d 444 (Tex. App. – Dallas 2011, no pet.);
• In re John G. and Marie Stella Kenedy Memorial Foundation, 315 S.W.3d 519 (Tex. 2010);
• Frost Nat. Bank v. Fernandez, 315 S.W.3d 494 (Tex. 2010);
• Hobbs v. Alcoa, Inc., 501 F.3d 395 (5th Cir. 2007).

Professional Associations, Awards & Activities

• Board Certified in Oil, Gas & Mineral Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization (1999 – Present)
• Recognized as a Super Lawyer in Energy and Natural Resources Law in Texas Monthly (2008-Present)
• Texas Bar Foundation, Sustaining Life Fellow
• State Bar of Texas
• American Law Institute
• Texas Mining & Reclamation Association
• Travis County Bar Association Oil, Gas & Mineral Law Section
• Licensed Geologist, Texas Board of Professional Geoscientists

Admission to Bar

• Texas (1990)
• U.S. District Courts, Northern, Southern, Eastern, and Western Districts of Texas
• U.S. Court of Appeals, Fifth Circuit
• U.S. Supreme Court

Education

• Southern Methodist University (B.B.A. 1980)
• University of Texas at Austin (B.S. Geology 1986)
• St. Mary’s University School of Law (J.D. 1990)

Additional Languages

• Spanish