Meghan Dawson McElvy

Listed in Chambers USA, Nationwide Oil & Gas Litigation, 2021-2023 “Up & Coming,” Nationwide Oil & Gas Litigation, 2020 Listed in Texas Super Lawyers, “Rising Stars,” 2014-2021 Listed in Business Today, “Top 10 Influential Lawyers Leading US-Wide Oil & Gas Litigation Cases,” 2023 Listed in Texas Monthly, “Top Attorneys – Texas’ Outstanding Young Women Lawyers,” 2019 Houston Young Lawyers Association, President’s Award for Outstanding Service, 2017 Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, Houston Chapter Woman of the Year Candidate, 2014 Represented RSM Production Corporation in an ICC arbitration in Houston in April 2021. The dispute concerned various breach of contract claims RSM had filed, as the non-operating interest owner of an onshore gas project in Cameroon, against the project operator, Gaz du Cameroun, S.A. The ICC tribunal issued its partial final award in April 2022, which granted RSM relief on most of its claims for a total award (excluding interest, fees and costs) of approximately $12.2 million. In July 2022, at the respondent’s urging, the tribunal issued an addendum award, which reduced RSM’s damages on its largest claim (worth $10.5 million) by over $4 million. We then filed a motion to partially vacate the addendum award and a motion to confirm the remainder of the partial final award in the Southern District of Texas in October 2022. In November 2023, the federal district court in Houston granted RSM’s motion in its entirety, reinstating RSM’s entitlement to the original damages award. Read more here. Obtained multimillion-dollar award in an ICC arbitration on behalf of independent non-operator against foreign operator on claims for improper charges to the joint account and delayed determination of payout, and various other accounting abuses, in connection with onshore gas project in Africa. Represented non-operator in an UNCITRAL arbitration against foreign operator on claims related to JOA and participation agreement voting procedure violations and other breaches in connection with onshore gas project in Africa. Obtained full recovery in award, including all attorneys’ fees, for large oil company in AAA arbitration against turnaround contractor arising from fraudulent invoices. Represented large independent operator in claims against electric cooperative relating to electrification of oilfield assets. Bonded off improperly filed mineral liens and compelled arbitration of six lawsuits filed by service contractor in various Texas state courts over alleged breaches of master service agreement and tortious interference with business relations; successfully defended the resulting arbitrations. Successfully pursued claims for unpaid JIBs on behalf of operator against working interest owners under multiple agreements, including joint exploration and development agreement and joint operating agreement. Defended operator in $100+ million CPR arbitration over proper interpretation of area of mutual interest provision joint development agreement covering thousands of acres of Permian Basin oil and gas leases. Obtained complete summary judgment in favor of large wind farm developer against negligence claim by radio station alleging signal interference. Represented operator in $80+ million post-judgment challenges and appeal of trial court judgment (handled by different counsel) involving alleged breaches of joint operating agreement covering large lease in the Eagle Ford Shale play. Obtained complete summary judgment in favor of operator in lawsuit filed by lessor for alleged breaches of offset well provision in oil and gas lease. Represented offshore oil and gas operator in suit to recover decommissioning expenses arising from Gulf of Mexico assets. Obtained summary judgment in favor of major oil company and large petrochemical processor in conversion of hydrocarbons lawsuit filed by Pemex. Defended large, investor-owned electric utility in numerous high-exposure personal injury and property damage claims, including multiple defense verdicts following jury trials. Successfully defended multiple surface and lease disputes with landowners and mineral rights owners in the Eagle Ford Shale play. Obtained summary judgment in favor of operator in nuisance action filed by lessors claiming nearby oil and gas activities caused health problems and damage to their homestead. Obtained complete summary judgment in favor of large wind farm operator and turbine manufacturer in “aesthetic nuisance” lawsuit filed by neighboring ranch owner; judgment subsequently affirmed by Texas Supreme Court. Member of trial team in patent infringement action involving downhole tools that resulted in a favorable outcome for the client of a $35 million verdict in Dallas federal court. Member of trial team that defended wrongful termination/FCPA whistleblower action resulting in a favorable outcome for the client with a defense verdict of zero damages.