How to Choose an Environmental Lawyer in Texas

Environmental law issues can be complicated, as they frequently encompass a combination of scientific, legal, and business concerns. Therefore, it’s imperative that anyone in need of environmental legal assistance contact an experienced Texas environmental lawyer as soon as possible. In addition to resolving any immediate concerns through litigation or other means, experienced environmental attorneys can minimize potential liability through:

• Compliance counseling

• Permit assistance

• Site and process auditing

• Performance of due diligence

Below are some tips on how to choose an environmental lawyer in Texas.

Ask for Recommendations

A great way to begin your environmental lawyer search is by asking associates, friends, clients, and others for recommendations. By discussing their experiences with different environmental attorneys, you can begin to compile a list of promising candidates.

Meet with Candidates

After compiling a list of candidates, you should schedule consultations. During your initial consultation with an environmental attorney, the following should be determined:

• The attorney’s years of overall experience

• The attorney’s years of environmental law experience

• The attorney’s primary area of specialization

• The attorney’s past results

• The attorney’s experience as it relates to your legal concerns

• Any possible solutions to your legal issue

Determine Cost

Before hiring an environmental attorney in Texas, you should determine his or her cost. Some attorneys work for a set fee, while others charge an hourly rate. Regardless of the method used, it’s important to discuss cost at the outset. An attorney’s cost can reflect several factors, including:

• Years of experience

• Past results

• Caseload

• Reputation

• Firm size

And although cost is an important consideration, you shouldn’t hire an attorney solely based on this factor. Remember, choosing an attorney solely based on price is rarely a good decision.

Trust Your Gut

Finally, when choosing an environmental law attorney in Texas, trust your gut! You should ultimately choose an attorney who you feel comfortable with, as you may be working together for a long time depending on your legal situation. An attorney who is responsive to your needs and willing to spend time discussing your legal issues with you is rarely the wrong choice. 

Texas Oil and Gas Attorney

Oil and gas laws are always changing. Therefore, it’s imperative that those involved in the energy industry have reliable, experienced, and knowledgeable legal representation to help guide them through the ever-changing energy landscape. In the areas of oil and gas, it’s particularly important to ensure that all contracts are properly drafted. Oil and gas contracts are sophisticated documents, and it’s important that they be drafted in a manner that ensures the rights and responsibilities of all parties involved. At the Law Office of C. William Smalling, P.C., we are highly experienced in the drafting and review of such contracts, including joint operating agreements, farm-out agreements, master service agreements, drilling contracts, licensing agreements for use of seismic or technical data, and nondisclosure agreements. If you are in need of expert oil and gas legal representation, contact us today for a consultation.