J. Clayton Johnson

J. Clayton Johnson has practiced law since graduation from law school in 1969. Mr. Johnson’s law practice has been concentrated in the area of oil and gas, more specifically:

• Bringing and defending lawsuits in state and federal courts involving royalty and working interest due on production (including take-or-pay); the determination of ownership of property; and the interpretation of various oil and gas agreements, including leases, joint operating agreements, balancing agreements, unit agreements, and gas purchase agreements, with a number of the lawsuits having been discussed in various law reviews and energy related publications.
• Bringing and defending lawsuits arising out of rig accidents, fires, and blowouts on behalf of Amoco Production Company, other oil companies, and numerous landowners.
• Conservation practice before administrative agencies, including review and appeal of Conservation Orders, on behalf of major and independent oil companies and major landowners.
• Experience in acting as local counsel for out-of-state law firms and domestic and foreign banking institutions in litigation; bankruptcy proceedings; contract matters; the formation of business entities; and the purchase, sale, and financing of oil and gas properties located onshore and offshore.
• Experience in drafting and negotiation of all types of oil and gas related contracts, including leases, seismic options and rights-of-way; drilling contracts; operating agreements; joint venture; exploration and participation agreements; and acquisitions, sales, mortgage, and financing instruments related to both inshore and offshore transactions.
• Bringing and defending lawsuits involving oil and gas environmental matters in the state and federal courts of Louisiana.

• Louisiana State University Paul M. Hebert Law Center, J.D., 1969
• Louisiana State University, B.S., 1965

• Louisiana, 1969

• Baton Rouge Bar Association
• Louisiana State Bar Association (Member, House of Delegates, 1986-1990; Council Member, Mineral Law Section 1986-1993; Chairman, 1992-1993)

• Successfully prosecuted review and appeal of Order of Commissioner of Conservation, which established law in Louisiana as to duty of unit operator to account for production to non- operators. See Amoco Production Company v. Herbert W. Thompson, Commissioner of Conservation, 516 So. 2d 376 (La. App. 1 Cir. 1987); writ denied, 520 So. 2d 118 (La. 1988).