HOUSTON, TEXAS – August 15, 2022
Oliva Gibbs is pleased to announce the addition of seven lawyers across three states. The group includes the firm’s first attorneys resident in Louisiana – expanding transactional, title and regulatory services for clients with business interests in that state.
“We know the value of great lawyers who are also great people. It’s exciting to welcome additional colleagues who are not only talented attorneys, but who also genuinely enjoy their work and share a commitment to our core values of client service, collaboration and continued learning,” said Managing Partner, Zachary Oliva.
“We are thrilled to add these excellent lawyers to our firm, particularly in connection with the expansion of our Louisiana and Oklahoma capabilities,” added partner, Bradley Gibbs. “This kind of strategic growth allows us to serve clients more effectively across a wider range of upstream energy issues,” Gibbs added.
About Our New Team Members
Gabriel Ackal, Jr. is resident in Lafayette, Louisiana and focuses on mineral and energy law in Louisiana and Texas, including the rendering of drill-site and division order title opinions and drafting and analysis of JOAs, farmout agreements, mineral leases and areas of mutual interest agreements. Gabe’s prior experience advising on upstream title, transactional and litigation matters allows him to identify complex legal issues at the outset and proactively spot opportunities for clients. Prior to his legal career, Gabe worked as an independent Landman in Louisiana and Texas.
Jocelyn Buckley focuses on oil and gas land examinations and real property transactions in Texas. She has more than 15 years of upstream energy industry experience, including oil and gas title work; leases; due diligence; purchase and sale of oil and gas interests; and preparation and negotiation of drilling agreements, operating agreements, farmout agreements and other key contracts. Jocelyn also has significant prior experience as a Landman, working for and with exploration and production companies active in the Permian Basin and across Texas.
Robert Jowers joins the firm as Of Counsel in Houston. Bob has rendered title opinions covering lands in all areas of Texas and Louisiana. He has extensive experience advising on the purchase and sale of oil and gas assets, as well as the acquisition and financing of producing properties, pipelines and gathering systems. In addition to title and corporate work, Bob has represented clients on regulatory matters before the Railroad Commission of Texas, and in connection with complex litigation regarding the ownership, exploration, production and operation of oil and gas properties, pipelines, oil and gas contractual matters and rights of way condemnation. He is Board Certified by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization in Oil, Gas and Mineral Law.
Pamela Hazelwood Kellogg advises on oil and gas title opinions in Arkansas and Oklahoma. She also has extensive experience in oil and gas finance and accounting matters. Pam joins our Oklahoma City team as Of Counsel with over 30 years of oil and gas title experience as a self-employed attorney starting after an Oklahoma Supreme Court clerkship for Justice Marian P. Opala. She is a Past President of Women in Energy and active supporter of elderly protection, The Call and Have a Heart Pet Shelter.
James (Rusty) McCay joins the firm as our first attorney resident in Baton Rouge. Rusty brings a wealth of experience on oil and gas title matters, as well as Louisiana regulatory issues. He also advises on complex real estate and land use cases, including eminent domain matters. Rusty’s previous experience includes positions at the State of Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development and the Louisiana Department of Justice.
Beau McMillin brings over 15 years of upstream energy and mineral law experience to our Oklahoma City office. He represents clients in connection with market-leading M&A transactions, and on matters involving complex title, surface use, land use and regulatory issues (including Native American lands issues). His previous experience includes in-house legal, regulatory and compliance roles at large corporations and work as a Landman focused on the Fayetteville Shale in Arkansas. Beau is a longtime Big Brothers & Big Sisters volunteer. He also actively supports Tenaciously Teal in Oklahoma City – an organization supporting women battling cancer.
Joshua Van Maele joins the firm as a Senior Attorney in the Houston office. Josh represents oil, gas and mineral exploration and production companies on operational, environmental, regulatory and surface use matters nationwide, including in the Eagle Ford Shale, Permian Basin, Haynesville Shale, Barnett Shale, Delaware Basin and Granite Wash. He is Board Certified in Oil, Gas and Mineral Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization.
About the Firm
Oliva Gibbs LLP is a nationally recognized law firm with offices in Houston, TX, Columbus, OH and Oklahoma City, OK. Highly skilled oil and gas attorneys anchor a team focused on title opinions; mineral transactions; mergers, acquisitions, joint ventures, and sales; energy contracts; and regulatory and risk mitigation matters. The team includes former landmen and attorneys certified in Oil, Gas and Mineral law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. For more information, visit us at www.oglawyers.com.