LePley, Elizabeth Ann

David is a shareholder in the Firm's Litigation Section. He is licensed in both Texas and New Mexico, and is admitted to practice before the United States District Courts for the Western, Northern, and Southern Districts of Texas; the United States District Court for the District of New Mexico; the United States Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals; the United States Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals; the United States Federal Circuit Court of Appeals; and the United States Supreme Court. An Eagle Scout, David is an adjunct professor at Midland College and volunteers in many civic, church, and charitable activities.

AREAS OF CONCENTRATION

Federal and State Appeals
David has briefed and argued state and federal appeals regarding claims for oil and gas disputes, qui tam actions, civil rights violations, personal injuries, malicious prosecution, and contractual disputes. He has prepared briefs in both state and federal appeals courts, including the United States Supreme Court and the Texas Supreme Court. His briefs and arguments have helped resolve disputes over oil and gas contracts, discriminatory employment practices, federal common law restitution claims, substantive due process, probate disputes, and fiduciary duties.

Commercial Litigation and Insurance Defense
An active trial attorney, David began his career by defending national insurance companies and their insureds from personal injury claims in both Texas and New Mexico. Although he currently retains a defense docket with respect to catastrophic personal injury defense and other tort claims, David also devotes much of his trial practice to commercial matters, including contractual disputes, fraud and misrepresentation, governmental defense, breach of fiduciary duty, deceptive trade practices, and employment disputes. David has also successfully defended governmental entities, including municipalities, law enforcement agencies, and school boards from constitutional and employment claims.

Oil and Gas Litigation
David has represented a number of clients in oil and gas matters involving operating agreements, environmental remediation, drilling contracts, well service contracts, master service agreements, audit rights, gas purchase agreements, and federal petroleum price control legislation and regulations. He has participated in state and federal court involving federal deregulation, construction and enforcement of operating agreements, operator removal disputes, employment actions, and working interest owner disputes.