Professionals

MEET OUR TEAM OF BUSINESS ATTORNEYS

Morgan Leeton, PC offers reliable legal counsel tailored to the unique challenges of the oil and gas industry. With years of experience serving both individuals and businesses in Midland, Odessa, and the Delaware and Permian Basins, our professional attorneys specialize in complex areas such as mineral rights, royalty law, and real estate transactions. Legal issues in this sector can be particularly intricate, often involving detailed contracts, regulatory compliance, and financial disputes. Our team brings to the table an in-depth understanding of these complexities, which helps us make sure that our clients receive comprehensive solutions to protect their assets and interests. From resolving mineral rights disputes to negotiating oilfield agreements, we focus on results-driven representation. Learn about our professionals' knowledge and experience below, then make Morgan Leeton, PC your trusted legal partner for navigating the complexities of the energy sector with precision and prowess.

ABOUT MICHAEL T. MORGAN

Professional Headshot of Michael T. Morgan - Civil Trial and Appellate Attorney
Mr. Morgan is a civil trial and appellate attorney representing clients on a variety of issues. Additionally, he advises clients on and negotiates various transactional issues.

• State Bar of Texas
• Gas and Mineral Law
• Trans-Pecos and American Bar Association
• American Bar Foundation

Here are just a few of Attorney Morgan’s past reported cases:

Chevron USA, Inc. v. Kennedy, 808 S.W.2d 159 (Tex. Civ. App. - El Paso 1991, error dismissed)
Boldrick v. BTA Oil Producers, 222 S.W.3d 672 (Tex. Civ. App. - Eastland, 2006, no writ)
Grimes v. Collie, 733 S.W.2d 338 (Tex. Civ. App. - El Paso, 1987, no writ)
Meadows v. Midland Super Block Joint Venture, 255 S.W.3d 739 (Tex. Civ. App. - El Paso, 1991, no writ)
Permian Report v. Lacy, 817 S.W.2d 175 (Tex. Civ. App. - El Paso, 1991, no writ)
ABOUT JAMES R. LEETON, JR.
Professional Headshot of James R. Leeton, Jr. - Energy and Acquisition Attorney
Mr. Leeton, formerly a partner in the Midland Law Firm of Bullock Scott, PC, which merged with Freeman Mills PC on August 1, 2013, represents numerous banks in the West Texas Area in the preparation of loan documents. Additionally, Mr. Leeton represents numerous independent oil and gas operators, royalty owners, mineral owners and businesses. Mr. Leeton has represented energy clients in the acquisition and divestiture of assets and the drafting and negotiating of leases, service contracts and joint operating agreements.

Mr. Leeton and his wife, Barbara have a daughter Emily, who lives in Seattle, Washington and a son, Ryan, who lives in Santa Barbara, California.

REPRESENTATIVE ENGAGEMENTS

Banks
• Draft and review oil and gas, real estate and commercial loan documents 
• Develop, implement and manage collection matters 
• Negotiate, draft and implement work outs.

Exploration and Production Companies
• Draft or review oil and gas leases, assignments, purchase and sale agreements, farmout agreements, participation agreements, AMI agreements, joint operating agreements, rights-of-way agreements, pipeline easements, and geological service agreements 
• Consult on all transactions involving oil and gas properties 
• Examine title 
• Prepare title opinions

Business Practice
• Draft and review purchase and sale agreements and closing documents. 
• Form corporations, limited liability companies and limited partnerships 
• Draft and review employment agreements 
• Develop, implement and manage collection matters

Real Estate Practice
• Draft and review real estate P&S agreements and closing documents 
• Draft and review real estate leases
ABOUT JOSEPH RODRIGUEZ
JOSEPH RODRIGUEZ

Joseph previously worked for approximately 3 years are Cotton, Bledsoe, Tighe & Dawson as an associate in the Oil and Gas Title Examination and Transactions Section. During that time, Joseph gained valuable experience in the following areas: (1) title examination and rendering to drilling, division order and acquisition title opinions covering state, federal and privately owned lands in Texas and New Mexico; (2) advising clients in all areas of oil and gas law and energy transactions, including but not limited negotiating purchase and sale agreements, joint operating agreements, master service agreements, right of way agreements, oil and gas leases and surface use agreements. Joseph’s practice at Morgan Leeton includes the facilitation and documentation of oil and gas, real estate, banking and business transactions. 


Outside of the office, Joseph enjoys spending time with his girlfriend, India, and their two dogs.   


REPRESENTATIVE ENGAGEMENTS


Banks

• Draft and review oil and gas, real estate and commercial loan documents

• Develop, implement and manage collection matters

• Negotiate, draft and implement work outs


Exploration and Production Companies

• Draft or review oil and gas leases, assignments, purchase and sale agreements, farmout agreements, participation agreements, AMI agreements, joint operating agreements, rights-of-way agreements, pipeline easements, and geological service agreements

• Consult on all transactions involving oil and gas properties

• Examine title 

• Prepare title opinions


Business Practice

• Draft and review purchase and sale agreements and closing documents

• Form corporations, limited liability companies and limited partnerships

• Draft and review employment agreements

• Develop, implement and manage collection matters


Real Estate Practice

• Draft and review real estate purchase and sale agreements and closing documents

• Draft and review real estate leases

ABOUT INDIA S. FENDER

India S. Fender

India focuses her practice on oil and gas, real estate, and estate planning and probate matters. Her oil and gas practice includes negotiating and drafting a broad range of transactional and operational agreements, including master service agreements, purchase and sale agreements, joint operating agreements, surface use agreements, rights-of-way, and other agreements relating to oil and gas operations and transactions. India also represents clients in corporate matters, real estate and general commercial transactions and negotiations.


Prior to joining the firm, India practiced at Dawson Springman (f/k/a Dawson Parrish Springman) in Midland, Texas, where she developed extensive experience representing clients in oil and gas transactional matters. India received her undergraduate degree from The University of Alabama in 2015 and her law degree from Texas Tech University School of Law in 2019, where she graduated with honors and served on the Texas Tech Law Review.


Outside of the office, India enjoys spending time with her husband, Joseph Rodriguez, who is also an attorney at the firm, and their two children.


REPRESENTATIVE ENGAGEMENTS


Oil and Gas Practice

• Draft and negotiate master service agreements and other agreements governing oilfield services and operations

• Draft and review purchase and sale agreements, joint operating agreements, assignments, surface use agreements, rights-of-way, easements, and other oil and gas transaction documents

• Advise exploration and production companies, oilfield service companies, and other industry participants regarding transactional and operational matters

• Negotiate and document transactions involving the acquisition, development, operation, and disposition of oil and gas assets


Real Estate Practice

• Draft and negotiate real estate purchase and sale agreements and related closing documents

• Draft and review commercial and residential leases

• Advise clients regarding real estate acquisitions, dispositions, easements, and other real estate transactions


Business Practice

• Draft and review asset sale agreements, equity sales and corresponding closing documents

• Form corporations, limited liability companies and limited partnerships

• Draft and review employment agreements



LEARN MORE ABOUT OUR PRACTICE AREAS:
ADDITIONAL STAFF MEMBERS 
AIME PANDO
Aime Pando - Legal Assistant for Morgan Leeton, PC
Aime is a native of West Texas and a graduate of Odessa High School. She has worked in the legal field since 1994 and has been a legal assistant to James R. Leeton, Jr. since May of 2003. Ms. Pando and her husband, Sergio, have three amazing kids.
DELMA N. ALVAREZ
Delma N. Alvarez - Office Administrator at Morgan Leeton, PC
Delma is a native of Pecos, Texas and a graduate of Pecos High School. She has worked in the legal field for the past 26 years in Human Resources and is currently the Office Administrator for Morgan Leeton, PC and assists James R. Leeton, Jr. Mrs. Alvarez and her husband, Danny, have two daughters, Janel and Dani, as well as four wonderful grandchildren.