(openPR) - Dallas (February 3, 2011) – The global law firm of Thompson & Knight LLP is pleased to announce the expansion of the Firm’s Oil and Gas Practice Group with the addition of Richard B. Hemingway Jr. as Partner, as well as attorneys Karen E. Lynch, Rachel F. Harrison, Robert P. Dougherty III, and Anna R. Irion. As a top energy industry firm, Thompson & Knight is proud to have one of the largest groups of attorneys in the nation who focus their practice exclusively on oil and gas matters.

“Thompson & Knight is one of the only large U.S. law firms with a separate Oil and Gas Practice Group, and we are very pleased to expand our practice,” says Arthur J. Wright, the Firm’s Oil and Gas Practice Group Leader. “The valuable expertise provided by these lawyers complements the comprehensive legal services we provide to our energy industry clients around the globe. We pride ourselves on the depth of our energy experience, and these additions further strengthen our capabilities.”

Hemingway joined the Firm’s Houston office, bringing extensive experience in all aspects of title due diligence, title examinations, and title opinions, including those related to drilling, production, acquisitions, and finance. Hemingway also counsels clients in the acquisition and disposition of oil and gas properties as well as in the preparation of agreements in relation to exploration and production activities. He received a J.D. from SMU Dedman School of Law in 1979 and a B.A. with Honors (and Special Honors in Plan II) from The University of Texas at Austin in 1976. Hemingway joins Thompson & Knight from Gaston, Hemingway & Thanheiser PC, which he co-founded in 1994.

Lynch, previously a Partner with Thompson & Knight, returned to the Firm as Of Counsel in the Austin office, bringing more than eight years of significant industry experience back to the Firm. She focuses her practice on domestic and international oil and gas matters, including acquisitions and dispositions, debt and equity financing, exploration and production agreements, title opinions, marketing arrangements, drilling contracts and master service agreements, mineral leasing, and joint operation agreements. Lynch received a J.D. from the University of Oklahoma College of Law in 1987 and a B.B.A. from The University of Texas at Austin in 1984.

Harrison joined the Firm as an Associate in the Dallas office. She received a J.D., magna cum laude, from SMU Dedman School of Law in 2010, where she served as President of the SMU Law Review Association, and earned a B.A. in History from Duke University in 2006. Prior to joining Thompson & Knight, Harrison served as a Stagiaire in the Cabinet of M. le Juge A. Rosas in the European Court of Justice in 2010 as well as a research assistant to SMU Law Professor D. Aaron Lacy in 2008-2009. She also completed internships for the Honorable Emily Tobolowsky of the 298th Civil District Court in 2007 and for the United States Attorney for the Western District of Louisiana in 2005.

Dougherty joined the Firm as an Attorney in the Dallas office. He received a J.D., summa cum laude, from the University of Arkansas School of Law in 2008, where he served as Managing Editor of the Arkansas Law Review, and earned a B.B.A. in Management from the University of Georgia in 2005. Prior to joining Thompson & Knight, Dougherty was an Attorney with the Dougherty Law Firm P.C. in Tyler and an Associate with Baker Botts L.L.P. in Dallas.

Irion joined the Firm as an Attorney in the Houston office. She received a J.D., cum laude, from SMU Dedman School of Law in 2007 and a Bachelor of Liberal Arts in Psychology, magna cum laude, from Texas State University in 2003. Prior to joining Thompson & Knight, Irion was an Associate with Mack & Matheson PLLC in Dallas and McElroy, Sullivan & Miller, L.L.P. in Austin.

About Thompson & Knight
Established in 1887, Thompson & Knight is a full-service firm providing legal solutions to public and private companies, governments, and individuals in all areas, including commercial and tort litigation, finance, banking, securities, mergers and acquisitions, taxation, intellectual property, corporate governance, creditors rights, real estate, labor, white collar defense, and environmental matters, among others. We are particularly recognized for our depth of experience and capabilities on behalf of clients in the energy industry, both domestically and around the world. Thompson & Knight has approximately 350 attorneys with offices in Texas and New York and international offices and associations in the Americas, North Africa, Europe, and Asia.

Thompson & Knight LLP
One Arts Plaza
1722 Routh Street, Suite 1500
Dallas, TX 75201
214-969-1700

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214-969-1478