Clayton D. Nance, Partner
Clay Nance focuses his legal practice on oil, gas, and energy law matters in Texas and New Mexico. Clay has worked on a broad range of legal matters throughout his career, and has been fortunate to develop close working relationships with attorneys, business leaders, technical experts, and industry consultants who are valuable resources to his law practice and clientele.
Clay helps clients in all phases of oil and gas exploration and production, including: managing due diligence and title examinations for surface, mineral, and leasehold acquisitions; rendering drilling title opinions involving fee, state, and federally-owned lands; providing regulatory counseling for oil and gas well drilling programs; rendering division order title opinions to determine the ownership of production; drafting and negotiating commercial transactions; and managing oilfield dispute resolution.
Clay frequently represents clients before the Railroad Commission of Texas and other state agencies in litigation involving permitting, environmental compliance, rulemaking, and enforcement. He also advises clients on statewide and special field rules governing horizontal wells, surface and subsurface uses, saltwater management and disposal, groundwater protection, brine mining, and commercial oilfield waste management.
A native South Texan, Clay earned his business degree at The University of Texas at Austin, and his law degree at the Texas Tech University School of Law – where he received a scholarship and award for the top performance in Oil and Gas Law, and participated on a national semi-finalist mock trial team.
Clay began his legal career with Austin-based Hance Scarborough, LLP, where he gained valuable experience in oil and gas law, regulatory law, public policy, and litigation. During his tenure there, Clay had the opportunity to work with influential leaders on challenging projects, such as drafting legislation and obtaining regulatory approvals for the state’s first low-level radioactive waste management and disposal facility near Andrews, TX. He also enjoyed attending Longhorn and Red Raider games, and going on hunting and fishing trips with his colleagues.
Clay and his wife, Jill, enjoy spending time with their three children, other family, and friends. Jill is also a proud graduate of the Texas Tech University School of Law, and now serves as general counsel for an Austin-based company. Clay and Jill spend many weeknights and weekends cheering on their kids at soccer, softball, and basketball games. Clay serves as a volunteer softball coach with the Oak Hill Youth Sports Association, and has also served as a volunteer coach with the Lonestar Soccer Club. He likes to fish and golf whenever he can.
Education
- Bachelor of Business Administration, The University of Texas at Austin
- Doctor of Jurisprudence, Texas Tech University School of Law
Professional Licenses, Affiliations, & Honors
- Attorney at Law, Texas 2002
- Board Certified, Oil, Gas and Mineral Law, Texas Board of Legal Specialization
- Attorney at Law, New Mexico 2012
- State Bar of Texas – Oil, Gas & Energy Resource Law, Environmental & Natural Resources, and Administrative & Public Law Sections
- State Bar of New Mexico
- Austin Bar Association
- Texas Oil & Gas Association
- New Mexico Oil & Gas Association
- American Association of Professional Landmen
- Austin Professional Landmen’s Association
- Permian Basin Landmen’s Association
- Coastal Conservation Association
