Michael Reer represents clients in high-stakes trials, arbitrations, and disputes they simply cannot afford to lose. He has lead counsel litigation experience in matters exceeding $200 million in controversy and first-chair trial experience in matters exceeding $25 million in controversy.
Reer has built a reputation as a relentless advocate at every stage of litigation. His personal attention to every detail on a file has given rise to a renowned work ethic. He is known by judges and juries as a straight-shooter who unflinchingly owns both good and bad facts in litigation, explaining why his client is entitled to victory.
Reer is a passionate advocate for the jury trial process and believes lawyers are at their best when they take time to find creative solutions to perceived roadblocks. He frequently checks in with clients to ensure that his litigation strategy aligns with both the client’s strategic goals for each case and their long-term litigation strategy. In general, Reer measures the success of a file based on the final result, the cost of achieving the result, and the length of time it takes from initiation of the lawsuit to resolution of the matter.
Reer has a reputation for translating technically complex concepts, such as engineering, to judges and juries in terms they can understand and appreciate. Clients and juries have also recognized that Reer builds his cases on cross-examination. National law firms have hired Reer as local counsel and relied on him to cross-examine witnesses he had never met during high-stakes injunction hearings.
Reer also has extensive experience interacting with federal and state agencies on behalf of clients accused of wrongdoing, including the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, U.S. Department of Justice, U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board, U.S. Department of the Interior, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and others. Industry trade associations have asked Michael to draft comments on proposed rules that would impact unconventional oil and gas development.
Lawdragon Honors
| Honor | Year | Practice |
|---|---|---|
| The 2027 Lawdragon 500 Leading Litigators in America | 2027 | Commercial Litigation, Oil & Gas |
| The 2026 Lawdragon 500 Global Leaders in Energy | 2026 | Energy Litigation |
| The 2026 Lawdragon 500 Leading Litigators in America | 2026 | Commercial Litigation, Oil & Gas |
Representative Matters
- Won the largest environmental law verdict in the State of Texas in 2022 arising from damage to client’s oil and gas asset caused by offset saltwater injection into the Permian Basin Delaware Mountain Group.
- Successfully prosecuted and settled a $50+ million claim for oil and gas trespass in the Marcellus shale based on a lease termination claim.
- Successfully represented a group of landowners in the Barnett shale in a landmark royalty case affirmed by the Texas Supreme Court.
- Represented “fintech” company as local trial counsel in $100+ million claim defended by top Texas law firms. Lead litigation counsel, a national law firm, requested Michael take first chair responsibilities with witnesses during hearings.
- Represented mineral company in several cases to quiet title to clear acreage for oil and gas development.
- Prosecuted breach of warranty claim on behalf of major oil and gas company pertaining to defective contractor work impacting dozens of well locations in North Texas.
- Defended major oil and gas producer and co-defendants in a series of 18 lawsuits brought by nearly 50 plaintiffs alleging contamination of air, water, and soil near well pad development in the Barnett shale. The judge rendered a take-nothing verdict in favor of the defense, disposing of all contamination claims.
- Defended Texas operator in claim that unconventional oil and gas development contaminated drinking water in Hood County, Texas.
- Representing oil and gas operator in suit for $150+ million claim for damage to Avalon and Bone Spring formations caused by offset saltwater injection.
- Representing multiple oil and gas operators in suit to recover damages to Delaware Mountain Group production caused by offset saltwater injection.
- Representing oil and gas operator in suit to recover insurance proceeds for formation damage caused by offset saltwater injection.
- Representing non-operating working interest owner in suit to recover withheld tax credits and unreasonable charges and deductions to the joint interest account made by Alaska operator.