David Ammons

Practices

Education and Clerkships

J.D., University of Texas School of Law, 2003

B.A., University of Texas at Austin, 1999, cum laude

  • Briefing Attorney for the Honorable Terry Jennings, First District Court of Appeals of Texas, 2003-2004

Admissions

Texas

Court Admissions

U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas

U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas

U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas

U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit

U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit

U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit

Profile

David Ammons is a commercial trial lawyer with extensive experience handling high-stakes litigation in state, federal, and bankruptcy courts nationwide. Clients value David’s skill at efficiently and effectively resolving their litigation challenges in a manner that squares with their long-term strategic objectives. David has been recognized in the 2020 Legal 500 U.S. directory for his “responsiveness, client attention and practical application of knowledge.”

Energy Litigation

A significant portion of David’s practice is devoted to representing onshore and offshore oil and gas producers, gas marketing companies, gas pipeline companies, and natural gas liquids processing companies. His experience includes successfully defending major integrated oil and gas companies and large independents in multidistrict and class action cases with multimillions of dollars at stake. He also has handled complex disputes concerning joint operating agreements, purchase and sale agreements, operational issues, and title to oil and gas assets.

Business and Bankruptcy Litigation

In addition to his energy litigation practice, David has represented plaintiffs and defendants in other complex commercial litigation matters, including breach of contract disputes, fiduciary litigation, environmental and toxic tort litigation, and financial litigation. He has particular experience representing companies, hedge funds, and court-appointed trustees in bankruptcy litigation matters. To cite a few examples, David has:

  • Defended a midstream energy company in bankruptcy proceedings concerning attempts to reject major gathering and processing agreements
  • Defended directors and officers of a bankrupt exploration and production company against claims of operational mismanagement and breaches of fiduciary duty
  • Handled fiduciary and fraudulent transfer litigation relating to the insolvency of a nationwide homebuilder
  • Handled fiduciary and fraudulent transfer litigation relating to the collapse of Parmalat, the Italian international food conglomerate
  • Handled fiduciary litigation relating to the bankruptcy of an entity that designed, implemented, and managed independent physician’s associations and management services organizations
  • Handled fiduciary and accounting malpractice litigation relating to the bankruptcy of a designer and manufacturer of offshore drilling rigs.

Professional Recognition

David is board certified in Oil, Gas and Mineral Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. He was recognized in the 2020 Legal 500 U.S. directory and 2020 Texas Super Lawyers directory, Thompson Reuters.

David is a member of the Advisory Board of the Institute for Energy Law and an officer of its Litigation and Dispute Practice Committee. 

Growth

David Ammons

Seasoned Energy Litigator David Ammons Joins Haynes and Boone

David Ammons, a commercial litigator board certified in Oil, Gas and Mineral Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization, has joined Haynes and Boone as a litigation partner in the Houston office.

Selected Client Representations

Energy

  • Defended a publicly traded exploration and production company in the defense of a number of proposed class action cases alleging underpayment of royalties on gas and natural gas liquids production. Defeated class certification.
  • Defended a publicly traded exploration and production company against claims brought under the False Claims Act alleging underpayment of royalties on crude oil extracted from federal and Indian lands.
  • Defended a publicly traded exploration and production company against allegations that it participated in an industry-wide antitrust conspiracy relating to lease bonuses and royalties. Secured dismissal of all claims.
  • Defended a publicly traded exploration and production company in litigation concerning the enforceability of a lease option agreement and other related agreements impacting acreage throughout the country. Prevailed on summary judgment.
  • Represented a publicly traded midstream company in connection with breaches of numerous offshore gas gathering agreements, including pursuing federal administrative remedies.
  • Represented an independent oil and gas company in a dispute concerning title to leases and wells in the Permian basin and associated unlawful drainage.
  • Represented an independent oil and gas company in a cotenant accounting dispute concerning leases and wells in the Barnett Shale.

Business Litigation

  • Defended officers and directors of an independent exploration and production company against claims of operational mismanagement and breaches of fiduciary duty relating to two emerging shale plays.
  • Handled director and officer litigation relating to the bankruptcy of a nationwide homebuilder.
  • Handled fiduciary litigation relating to the bankruptcy of an entity that designed, implemented, and managed Independent Physician’s Associations and Management Services Organizations.
  • Handled director and officer and accounting malpractice litigation relating to the bankruptcy of a designer and manufacturer of offshore drilling rigs.
  • Represented a foreign government in cross-border environmental and toxic tort litigation relating to copper and gold mining.
  • Represented Joint Official Liquidators for companies in the Cayman Islands in federal multi-district litigation relating to the collapse of Parmalat, the Italian international food conglomerate.
  • Represented a medical device manufacturer in litigation concerning patent infringement.

Some of the above representations were handled by David prior to joining Haynes and Boone.

Professional and Community Activities

  • Dallas Bar Association, Energy Law Section: Chair (2018); Vice Chair (2017); Treasurer (2016); Symposium Chair (2015); Communications and Sponsorship Chair (2014)
  • The Institute for Energy Law, Officer of the Litigation and Dispute Practice Committee and Member of the Advisory Board
  • Association of International Petroleum Negotiators
  • Houston Association of Professional Landmen

Selected Publications and Speeches

  • “Trends in Oil and Gas Royalty Disputes,” speaker, Petroleum Accountants Society of Houston's Twenty-Seventh Annual Education Day, May 26, 2016.
  • “Royalty Litigation: Perspectives from the Lessor / Lessee,” co-presenter, State Bar of Texas Oil and Gas Disputes Course,
    January 29, 2016.
  • “Trends in Oil and Gas Royalty Disputes,” co-presenter, Petroleum Accountants Society of Houston, November 19, 2015; San Antonio Association of Professional Landmen, October 12, 2015.
  • “Lessors Development Expectations During Downturn,” author, Texas Lawyer, April 6, 2015.
  • “The Deductibility of Post-Production Costs in Texas and Oklahoma,” author, Petroleum Accounting and Financial Management Journal, Volume 34, No. 1, March 1, 2015.
  • “Litigating Oil and Gas Valuation Issues,” presenter, Tarrant County Bar Association, Energy Law Section, October 9, 2014.
  • “Trends In Royalty Litigation,” presenter, Dallas Bar Association’s 29th Annual Review of Oil and Gas Law Seminar, August 14, 2014.
  • “How to Avoid Lease-Related Litigation,” author, Texas Lawyer, March 4, 2013.
  • “Valuing the Potential of Land for Oil and Gas Development,” presenter, Dallas Bar Association, Energy Law Section, January 16, 2013.

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