Porter Hedges Grows Energy Litigation Practice with Two New Attorneys in Houston Including Partner Joe Thompson

Porter Hedges announced today that Joe Thompson has joined the firm as a partner in the energy litigation section in Houston.  Joe is Board Certified in Oil, Gas and Mineral Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization and represents clients in complex commercial litigation and arbitration, with a primary emphasis on oil and gas related disputes. He also has significant experience in insurance related matters, unfair competition, and business related torts as well as personal injury and product liability matters.

Joe has tried disputes ranging from prospect generation fights in the Eagle Ford Shale to disputes involving exploration joint ventures in the Middle East to tortious inference claims involving military tactical vehicles.  He has represented clients in connection with oil and gas operations in Texas, Louisiana, Colorado, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, and Wyoming.

In addition, Andrew Raber joins the firm as an associate in the energy litigation section.  He represents operators and other energy clients in royalty and title disputes, mineral liens, gas marketing disputes, and complex products liability cases. Prior to joining the firm, Andrew clerked for Justice Brett Busby at the Fourteenth Court of Appeals and served in the U.S. Army JAG Corps. While in the JAG Corps, Andrew prosecuted numerous criminal jury trials, represented the U.S. in tort and contract claims, and deployed to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

“With their experience in the upstream and midstream oil and gas industry and a comprehensive understanding of the business, Joe and Andrew are a great fit for our firm,“ said Managing Partner Rob Reedy.  “As one of the largest energy practices in the country, we are excited to welcome them to Porter Hedges.”

Joe received his J.D., with honors from the University of Texas School of Law, where he was Order of the Coif and a Chancellor, and his B.A., with honors, Phi Beta Kappa, from the University of Michigan.  In addition to his Oil and Gas Certification by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization, he is a member of the Board’s Oil and Gas Advisory Commission.

Andrew received his J.D., cum laude, from South Texas College of Law and his B.A., cum laude, from Furman University.