Payne, James E.

Corby is a shareholder in the Oil, Gas, and Energy Resources Section. He is Board Certified in Oil, Gas and Mineral Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. Corby previously served on the Oil, Gas and Mineral Law Advisory Commission, which is an oil and gas subcommittee of the Texas Board of Legal Specialization.

Corby is active at Midland Community Theatre, playing many roles on stage, helping out back stage, and serving several terms as a member of its Board of Governors, including serving as president.

AREAS OF CONCENTRATION

Title Examination and Transactional Work

Corby spends most of his time examining oil and gas titles, rendering title opinions, and preparing the numerous documents prevalent in the oil and gas industry. Title opinions may be based on abstract examination or done by "stand-up" examination in the county clerk's office.

Oil and Gas Litigation

Corby frequently works with members of the firm's Litigation Section when oil and gas matters are involved in lawsuits, such as deed construction issues, operator removal problems, Relinquishment Act royalty claims, receivership leases, guardianship matters, and take-or-pay claims. Although the typical situation will feature the litigator making most of the presentations to the court, Corby has frequently written motions and trial and appellate briefs in oil and gas cases.

EDUCATION

In law school, Corby was on the editorial staff of the Texas Law Review and served as a Teaching Quizmaster under the guidance of fellow shareholder, Barry Beck.