Speakers
Gregory Binns
Education
The Texas Supreme Court has wrestled with double-fraction deeds for decades, searching for an administrable test that both honors deed's text and provides predictable results for interest-holders. We will discuss in depth the Court's two most recent substantive decisions: Navigator Group, Inc. v. Van Dyke and Clifton v. Johnson, which together address the presumption that double-fraction deeds convey floating interests, how that presumption can be rebutted, and the role that the presumed-grant doctrine can play in interpreting these deeds. We will also discuss strategies for litigating issues related to double-fraction deeds and issues that we see on the horizon.
Greg Binns is a litigation attorney in Holland & Knight's Dallas office and serves as the co-leader of the Texas Litigation Practice Group. Mr. Binns represents clients in commercial, real estate and energy litigation, with a particular focus on oil and gas disputes. He has represented clients in matters pending or involving transactions in major oil-producing states and throughout the country as well as internationally. Mr. Binns has been recognized by various publications for his energy litigation work, including in oil and gas litigation by Chambers USA. Mr. Binns has extensive experience in oil and gas and other energy disputes. He serves as the co-chair of the firm's Energy Controversies Pursuit Team within the Energy & Natural Resources Industry Sector Group. His energy clients include major oil and gas companies, independents, midstream companies, lessees, investment funds and various oil and gas interest owners. His practice involves disputes covering all aspects of the energy industry, including allocation wells, title issues, joint operating agreements, farmouts, DrillCo transactions, exploration and production activities, and sales transactions.
Rich Phillips focuses his practice on appellate matters, with an extensive experience in oil and gas disputes. He has represented a variety of clients in appeals before Texas courts of appeal, the Texas Supreme Court, several federal appellate courts, and the United States Supreme Court. Mr. Phillips has been recognized by various publications for his appellate work, including The Best Lawyers in America Guide. Mr. Phillips is Board Certified in Civil Appellate Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization, a member of the Texas Supreme Court Advisory Committee, and has been a member of the board of trustees and past president of the Texas Supreme Court Historical Society.