Charles ‘Skip’ Watson Joins Texas Oil-and-Gas Law Boutique
Midland, Texas-based energy law boutique Davis, Gerald & Cremer has added Texas appellate specialist Charles “Skip” Watson to its Austin office. Watson, who will join as a shareholder, formerly was with Locke Lord LLP.
“We are very excited that Skip is joining our firm,” said managing shareholder John “Jad” Davis. “He’s on everyone’s short list to handle the most difficult and most important cases at the Texas Supreme Court, and his deep oil-and-gas roots are a perfect fit for our firm. An additional benefit is Skip’s desire to mentor our younger lawyers. It’s a win-win for our clients and attorneys.”
Watson has served on the Texas Supreme Court’s advisory committee for the last 15 years and chaired the committee that drafted the Standards for Appellate Conduct that the court unanimously adopted. He was selected as a fellow by the American Academy of Appellate Lawyers, and he was chair of the State Bar of Texas Advanced Courses for both civil trial law and civil appellate law, the areas in which he is board certified.
“This is a rare opportunity to handle appeals generated by legendary oil and gas litigators at the time the Texas Supreme Court is actively reexamining how decades-old principles fit new technology, new lease clauses, and a challenging economy,” Watson said.
Inn a news release, the firm said Watson recently argued five landmark oil-and-gas cases, two of which are pending before the Texas Supreme Court.
Watson will be the fifth attorney in Davis, Gerald & Cremer’s Austin office. Last month, Texas litigators Shannon Ratliff and Lisa Paulson joined the firm. Rounding out the Austin office are appellate attorney Ryan Clinton, a former Texas Assistant Solicitor General, and title attorney Lauren Shapiro, a former Assistant District Attorney.