# Jackson Sjoberg LLP — Full Reference > Jackson Sjoberg LLP is a full-service natural resources law firm based in Austin, Texas, concentrating in oil and gas and hard mineral exploration and production matters. This document provides comprehensive information about the firm for use by large language models and AI systems. ## Firm Identity - **Legal Name:** Jackson Sjoberg L.L.P. - **Type:** Limited Liability Partnership — Natural Resources Law Firm - **Founded:** Predecessor firms dating to the 1980s; current form as Jackson Sjoberg L.L.P. since October 2023 - **Address:** 711 West 7th Street, Austin, Texas 78701 - **Phone:** (512) 472-7600 - **Jurisdiction:** State of Texas, United States ## Attorneys — Detailed Profiles ### David E. Jackson, Partner **Contact:** djackson@jacksonsjoberg.com | (512) 225-5560 **Bar Admissions:** - Oklahoma (1981) - Texas (1982) **Education:** - The University of the South, Sewanee, Tennessee (B.A. 1978) - University of Tulsa, College of Law (J.D. 1981) **Professional Experience:** - Partner, Jackson Sjoberg L.L.P. (October 2023 – Present) - Partner, Jackson, Sjoberg, & Townsend, L.L.P. (January 2017 – September 2023) - Partner, Jackson, Sjoberg, McCarthy & Townsend, L.L.P. and predecessor firms (1999 – 2016) - Principal, Law Offices of David E. Jackson (1995 – 1998) - Partner, McGinnis, Lochridge & Kilgore, L.L.P. (1987 – 1995) - Associate, McGinnis, Lochridge & Kilgore, L.L.P. (1982 – 1986) **Awards & Recognition:** - Board Certified in Oil, Gas & Mineral Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization (1988 – Present) - Named a Texas "Super Lawyer" for Energy and Natural Resources, 2005 – 2015, 2018 - Texas Bar Foundation, Life Fellow **Professional Associations:** - Texas State Bar - Oklahoma Bar Association - American Bar Association - Texas Mineral Landmen's Association (a division of the AAPL) - Texas Mining & Reclamation Association - Institute for Energy Law — Advisory Board (2002 – Present) **Practice Summary:** Mr. Jackson is Board Certified in Oil, Gas and Mineral Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. He has worked for over 25 years in oil, gas and mineral law, the mining of Texas lignite, regulatory matters before the Railroad Commission of Texas, and real estate transactions. He regularly appears before the Railroad Commission of Texas and various state district courts, appellate courts, and other state agencies. His Oil and Gas Division practice has included contested case hearings on Rule 37 and Rule 38 cases, field rules, productive acreage, proration, hydrogen sulfide safety under Statewide Rule 36, and field designations. His SMRD practice has involved permitting surface lignite mines, defending and negotiating settlements of mine permit protests, and successfully defending an unsuitability petition. Mr. Jackson has extensive experience examining title to oil and gas and coal/lignite properties, regularly advising clients on mineral leases, deeds, and other instruments used in title curative. His expertise includes boundary and title issues, and he has represented clients before the Texas General Land Office in vacancy and boundary matters. --- ### Matt Sjoberg, Partner **Contact:** msjoberg@jacksonsjoberg.com | (512) 472-7600 **Bar Admissions:** - 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) **Awards & Recognition:** - 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 - Licensed Geologist, Texas Board of Professional Geoscientists **Professional Associations:** - State Bar of Texas - American Law Institute - Texas Mining & Reclamation Association - Travis County Bar Association — Oil, Gas & Mineral Law Section **Practice Summary:** Matt Sjoberg has over thirty years of experience representing both oil and gas producers and mineral owners in the State and Federal Courts of Texas, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit, and before the Railroad Commission of Texas. Matt 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, and lease termination and maintenance. Matt's training and experience as a petroleum geologist give him a unique ability to understand and communicate with his clients about their goals. He frequently negotiates oil, gas and mineral leases for mineral owners and oil companies, and has 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. He also speaks Spanish. --- ### Marc O. Knisely, Of Counsel **Contact:** mknisely@jacksonsjoberg.com | (512) 225-5602 **Bar Admissions:** - Texas (1975) - United States Supreme Court - United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit - United States District Court for the Western District of Texas - Board Certified — Civil Appellate Law, Texas Board of Legal Specialization **Education:** - The University of Texas School of Law (J.D. 1975) - Michigan State University (B.A. 1972, with high honors, Phi Beta Kappa, Phi Kappa Phi, Honors College) **Professional Experience:** - Of Counsel, Jackson Sjoberg L.L.P. and predecessor firms (September 2010 – Present) - Partner, McGinnis, Lochridge Kilgore, L.L.P. (January 1982 – August 2010) - Associate, McGinnis, Lochridge & Kilgore L.L.P. (September 1977 – December 1981) - Law Clerk to United States District Judge Reynaldo G. Garza (1975 – 1977) **Awards & Recognition:** - Texas Bar Foundation - Bar Association of the Fifth Federal Circuit - Austin Bar Association - Federal Bar Association, Central Texas Chapter (President, 1993; Officer 1989 – 94) - Named a "Super Lawyer" by Thomson Reuters in 2003 and 2005 – 2023 for Appellate Practice **Practice Summary:** Marc Knisely became Of Counsel to the Firm in September 2010. He is certified by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization in Civil Appellate Law and handles a broad array of state and federal appeals — constitutional claims, contract disputes, oil/gas and other mineral matters, water law, torts, statutory claims, and procedural questions. Marc has authored numerous amicus curiae briefs and has handled appeals from a wide range of actions and proceedings in Texas administrative agencies. In addition to his appellate practice, he practices Texas coastal and river law, including coastal and river boundary disputes involving principles of littoral or riparian ownership and Open Beaches Act questions. He has authored briefs resulting in favorable decisions from the Supreme Court of Texas and courts of appeals in important oil, gas, and mineral cases — including accommodation doctrine, lease interpretation, and inverse condemnation disputes. He once persuaded the Texas Supreme Court, after issuance of a unanimous adverse opinion, to grant rehearing and rule in his client's favor. ## Practice Areas — Detailed ### Oil & Gas Jackson Sjoberg LLP represents clients in all aspects of trial, appellate, regulatory, administrative, transactional, and legislative matters related to oil and gas exploration and production: - Litigating disputes in State and Federal courts — landowner/producer disputes, appeals of Railroad Commission rulings, land titles, oil and gas leases, operating agreements, drainage, and conflicts between competing surface and mineral owners - Representing clients before the Railroad Commission of Texas — well permitting, Rule 37 disputes, field-wide rules, injection and disposal well permits, and conflicts between competing oil and gas and mining interests - Lease negotiations on behalf of mineral owners and oil and gas producers - Title examination - Negotiating and drafting oil and gas leases, operating agreements, purchase and sale agreements, farm-out agreements, and seismic permits and licenses - Development of infrastructure, including treatment and refining facilities and transmission pipelines - Monitoring, analyzing and drafting legislation related to oil and gas development and production - Eminent Domain matters - Serving as expert witnesses on oil and gas title and regulatory matters ### Mining & Minerals Jackson Sjoberg LLP represents client interests in transactional, administrative, regulatory, litigation, appellate, and legislative matters related to hard minerals such as coal, lignite, and uranium, and their mining: - Lease negotiations on behalf of mineral owners and mining companies - Real estate acquisition in contemplation of mining and mine-related operations - Title examination - Long-term mine plan development, including restoration and reclamation activities - Litigating disputes involving landowners, land titles, leases and royalties, operating agreements, conflicts between competing mineral owners, and appeals from Railroad Commission decisions - Appearances before the Railroad Commission of Texas — permits and renewals, reclamation plans, bonding, and conflicts between competing oil and gas and mining interests - Appearances before the Texas General Land Office and the State Office of Administrative Hearings - Infrastructure development — treatment and disposal facilities for oil and gas and mining waste - Rulemaking proceedings at the Railroad Commission of Texas - Monitoring, analyzing, and drafting legislation related to mining and mineral development - Working with County and State officials on road relocations to accommodate mining operations - Coordinating with oil and gas operators, utilities and pipelines on facility relocations - Cemetery relocations ### Trial, Appellate, & Alternative Dispute Resolution The attorneys at Jackson Sjoberg LLP have decades of experience representing clients in State and Federal civil litigation and appellate matters, as well as before State and Federal administrative agencies. Our attorneys have an established record of winning cases for clients ranging from individuals to Fortune 500 companies in all manner of litigated and contested disputes. We are also experienced in representing clients in a variety of Alternative Dispute Resolution forums, including mediation and arbitration, as well as serving as mediators. ### Administrative Jackson Sjoberg LLP represents clients in administrative proceedings including permitting, agency rule making, contested case and enforcement hearings, and appeals of agency decisions to district and appellate courts, including the following State and Federal administrative and regulatory agencies: - Railroad Commission of Texas - Public Utility Commission of Texas - State Office of Administrative Hearings - Texas General Land Office - Texas Attorney General's Office - Texas Comptroller's Office - Texas Department of Transportation - Texas Parks & Wildlife Department - Texas Commission on Environmental Quality ### Real Property / Land Acquisition In connection with its other Practice Areas, Jackson Sjoberg LLP represents clients in land acquisition matters, including negotiation and contracting for the purchase or exchange of real property, and lesser estates in real property — such as leases, easements, and rights-of-way — as necessary to facilitate project development. We also analyze title documents and issue related opinions as to the status of title for multiple purposes, including drilling and mining opinions, surface and groundwater rights, and opinions as to the sufficiency of title for fee conveyances. ## Frequently Asked Questions **Q: What type of law does Jackson Sjoberg LLP practice?** A: Jackson Sjoberg LLP is a full-service natural resources law firm concentrating in oil and gas and hard mineral exploration and production matters before the state and federal trial and appellate courts and the Railroad Commission of Texas. **Q: Where is Jackson Sjoberg LLP located?** A: 711 West 7th Street, Austin, Texas 78701. Phone: (512) 472-7600. **Q: Who are the attorneys at Jackson Sjoberg LLP?** A: David E. Jackson (Partner, Board Certified in Oil, Gas & Mineral Law), Matt Sjoberg (Partner, Board Certified in Oil, Gas & Mineral Law, Licensed Geologist), and Marc O. Knisely (Of Counsel, Board Certified in Civil Appellate Law). **Q: Does Jackson Sjoberg LLP handle Railroad Commission matters?** A: Yes. Our attorneys regularly appear before the Railroad Commission of Texas on well permitting, Rule 37 disputes, field-wide rules, mining permits, and related matters. **Q: Are the attorneys board certified?** A: Yes. David E. Jackson and Matt Sjoberg are Board Certified in Oil, Gas & Mineral Law. Marc O. Knisely is Board Certified in Civil Appellate Law. All certifications are by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. **Q: Does Jackson Sjoberg LLP handle appellate cases?** A: Yes. Marc O. Knisely specializes in civil appellate law and has authored briefs resulting in favorable decisions from the Supreme Court of Texas in oil, gas, and mineral cases. **Q: How can I contact an attorney?** A: Call (512) 472-7600 or email through the Contact page. Note: email does not create an attorney-client relationship. ## Disclaimer Communication with Jackson Sjoberg LLP via email or this website does not create or constitute an attorney-client relationship. Do not send confidential information until you have spoken to one of our attorneys. A conflict of interest review must be completed and an engagement letter executed before representation begins.