We are having our next in-person lunch meeting for the Austin Professional Landmen’s Association on Friday, January 6th at 11:30AM. John Hays will present about “An Energy Overview: Where it comes from, Where it goes, and Why it matters” at the Enverus campus located on the first floor of Building 6, 2901 Via Fortuna, Austin, TX 78746. We will provide a catered lunch to attendees for $25.00. Please register HERE so we have an accurate headcount for food purposes.
John R. Hays, Jr. has a unique background in government, academia, and the private practice of law. He has extensive experience over many years in helping a wide range of clients deal effectively with diverse legal and regulatory matters, especially in the energy and natural resources fields.
Mr. Hays has represented clients in solving problems in contract negotiations and drafting, litigation in the courts, and proceedings before a variety of state and federal agencies. He has extensive experience in practicing before the Railroad Commission of Texas, which regulates the Texas oil and gas industry and which has been described as the most powerful regulatory agency in the world. He has had extensive experience in federal regulatory areas, with an emphasis on energy regulation before the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.
His government experience began when he served as an Examiner (Administrative Law Judge) with the Railroad Commission of Texas while engaged in graduate work at the University of Texas. He practiced law as a partner with the firm now known as Scott, Douglass & McConnico prior to founding a law firm in 1986, where he served as Managing Partner until the end of 1991. Since that time he has continued to practice law, based in Austin, Texas. He practiced with the firm of Jackson Walker LLP from April 2017 to August 202, at which time he formed the Hays Law Firm.
Mr. Hays grew up in Houston, Texas, where he received his B.A. from Rice University in 1971 with a major in economics and business administration. He received his law degree from the University of Texas at Austin and became a member of the State Bar of Texas in 1974. A noted lecturer and teacher at programs for business groups and the legal profession, for many years Mr. Hays has served as an Adjunct Professor of Energy Law and Policy at the University of Texas School of Law. He has written and presented numerous papers on energy law, regulation, and litigation subjects. He has spoken at many conferences, including those sponsored by the Department of Energy, the Texas Independent Producers and Royalty Owners Association, the Interstate Oil Compact Commission, the University of Houston Law Center, and the State Bar of Texas. He is rated “AV” (the highest rating for legal ability and general recommendation) by Martindale-Hubbell. He is a certified mediator, member of the Energy Bar Association, admitted to practice before all state courts in Texas, and before the federal courts of the Western and Southern Districts of Texas.
Mr. Hays is married and has two grown children and one grandson. Outside of work, Mr. Hays enjoys reading, golf, snow skiing, hiking, and exploring the ideas of economics, culture, and public policy.
We look forward to seeing you all there!