Thomas M. “Mike” Murray
Thomas M. “Mike” Murray joined McMahon Surovik Suttle, P.C. in 2010 as an associate in its Business Transactions practice group. Mr. Murray became a shareholder in the firm in 2012. Mr. Murray’s practice is focused on oil and gas, energy, natural resources and real estate. Mr. Murray attended Baylor University, where he obtained a bachelor of arts in 1993, and a master of arts in 1995. He attended St. Mary’s University School of Law, graduating magna cum laude in 2004. Prior to joining McMahon Surovik Suttle, P.C. Mr. Murray worked as an oil and gas attorney at the firm of Cox & Smith in San Antonio and as counsel to a regional title company.
Mr. Murray is a member of the Oil, Gas and Natural Resources and Real Estate, Trust and Probate Sections of the State Bar of Texas. Mr. Murray is a Director of the Big Country CASA, is active in Beltway Park Baptist Church, and is involved with local youth sports.
Experience and Highlights:
- Representation of oil and gas exploration companies and mineral owners in a wide range of matters, including:
- Negotiating of oil and gas leases and wind energy leases
- Conducting title examination for drilling opinions and division order title opinions
- Advising landowners on surface use agreements, easements and other agreements
- Transactions involving the sale of oil and gas leases and mineral interests
- Representation of area and regional banks on loan related issues and operational matters, including:
- Documentation of loans secured by real property, oil and gas, and personal property
- Advising on trust related matters and fiduciary duties
- Assisting on defaulted loans and workouts
- Representation of clients in a variety of real estate transactions, including:
- Advising a national retail chain on land use planning and land acquisition
- Assisting buyers and sellers in commercial, residential, agricultural and recreational property
- Representing landowners in condemnation matters involving electrical transmission line and pipeline easements
- Advising real estate developers and property owners associations
- Representation of clients in a wide range of commercial transactions:
- Negotiation of asset purchase agreements for businesses of various sizes
- Formation of business entities
- Advising on contract negotiations
Education:
- St. Mary’s University School of Law, San Antonio, Texas, J.D., May 2004, magna cum laude
- St. Mary’s Law Journal, Solicitation/Articles Editor (2003-2004)
- St. Mary’s Law Journal, Staff Writer (2002-2003)
- Phi Delta Phi
- Baylor University, Waco, Texas, M.A., History, May 1995
- Baylor University, Waco, Texas, B.A., History, May 1993
Admissions/Certifications:
- Board Certified in Oil, Gas and Mineral Law by Texas Board of Legal Specialization, 2016
- Admitted to practice law in the State of Texas, 2004
Professional/Community Activities:
- Texas Bar Association
- Member – Oil, Gas and Energy Resources Section
- Member – The Texas Alliance of Energy Producers
- Member – Real Estate, Probate & Trust Section
- Abilene Bar Association
- American Associations of Professional Landmen
- Beltway Park First Baptist Church, Member
- Big Country CASA – 2016 – Current
- Leadership Highland Lakes – 2008/2009
- Leadership Abilene – 2014/2015
Speaking Engagements/Publications:
- Highland Lakes Bar Association, “Navigating Unrecorded Easement Disputes,” October 2008
- State Bar of Texas Oil, Gas and Energy Resources Section Report, “The Texas Recreational Use Statute: Does This Statute Really Protect Your Client” September 2006.
- State Bar of Texas Oil, Gas and Energy Resources Section Report, “Subsurface Injection: Storage, Recovery, Disposal and Carbon Sequestration – Whose Right Is It?” March 2005; presentation to San Antonio Bar Association Natural Resources Section, July 2005.
- St. Mary’s Law Journal, “The Texas Courts’ Adventures in Locating Texas Coastal Boundaries: Redrawing a Line in the Sand: Kenedy Memorial Foundation v. Dewhurst Defining an Exception to Luttes v. State,” 35 St. Mary’s L.J. 459, 2003.