Kim Law Firm Prevails in West Texas Lease Dispute after Texas Supreme Court Orders Lower Court to Reconsider Ruling

HOUSTON – Houston trial lawyers John H. Kim and Denise H. Kim prevailed for their client Pathfinder Oil & Gas, Inc. in a long-running contract dispute with Great Western Drilling Ltd. Under instructions by the Texas Supreme Court to reconsider its earlier ruling, the Eleventh Court of Appeals restored a 2014 jury verdict granting Pathfinder a 25 percent working interest in a group of Permian Basin oil and gas leases at the heart of the dispute.

“Justice, although arduous, is satisfying. Pathfinder’s continued belief in the justice system and right to trial by jury has been rewarded with a correct result. Fundamental equities have once again protected the business intentions of original partners against profit-driven successors,” said Mr. Kim, founder of The Kim Law Firm.

According to court documents, the two companies had been in talks for Pathfinder to purchase a series of Permian Basin oil and gas leases. Great Western withdrew its offer, claiming that the two parties were unable to reach an agreement on contract terms. Pathfinder, however, claimed that Great Western had backed out of a contract that was already valid.

In May 2014, a jury sided with Pathfinder and granted the company a 25 percent working interest in the leases. On appeal, the Eleventh Court of Appeals sided with Great Western and reversed the trial court’s verdict. In May 2019, the Texas Supreme Court sent the case back to the appellate court for reconsideration.

In addition to The Kim Law Firm team, Pathfinder is represented by David E. Keltner, Jody S. Sanders and Joe R. Greenhill of Kelly Hart & Hallman LLP, and Pete T. Patterson of Patterson PC.

The case is Great Western Drilling Ltd. v. Pathfinder Oil & Gas Inc. et al., case number 11-14-00206-cv, in the Eleventh Court of Appeals of Texas.

Details about the case also were reported by Law360 in the article “Texas Court Changes Course To OK Permian Lease Fight Win” (subscription required).

Mr. Kim and The Kim Law Firm represent defendants and plaintiffs in oil & gas litigation, fraud, breach of fiduciary duty, securities litigation, claims of tortious interference and trade secret actions. The Kim Law Firm has recovered well in excess of a half billion dollars for clients directly and through counterclaims through aggressive litigation. The firm represents entrepreneurs, business start-ups, mid-sized companies, and established national and international corporations in everything from contract and complex business disputes to insider trading allegations, product liability and other intellectual property disputes. For more information, please visit https://thekimlawfirm.com