William E.

Sparks

Position: Partner
Office: Houston

William Sparks is a partner in the Litigation Practice Group. He focuses on energy litigation and is a member of the firm’s Energy, Environmental & Natural Resources Industry Team.

Bill is a natural resources and energy litigator who has handled cases covering a wide range of issues regarding energy and oil and gas development. Bill also represents clients on regulatory matters involving natural resources development at the state and federal levels.

Bill has handled cases before state and federal courts in Colorado, District of Columbia, Louisiana, Montana, North Dakota, Texas, and Wyoming regarding the issuance and development of oil and gas leases, joint operating agreements, transportation agreements, appeals of state oil and gas regulations, federal units, and related environmental law compliance. Bill has also argued cases before federal district courts, the Ninth and Tenth Circuit Courts of Appeals, and the Montana and North Dakota Supreme Courts.

Bill counsels clients on the leasing and development of oil and gas on lands managed by the Bureau of Land Management, the US Forest Service, and Indian lands. Specifically, Bill has represented independent oil and gas producers in litigation, including arbitrations involving the Mineral Leasing Act, National Environmental Policy Act, Endangered Species Act, National Historic Preservation Act, Energy Policy Act, Federal Land Policy and Management Act, Clean Air Act, and Clean Water Act.

Bill also advises oil and gas companies on regulatory compliance at the state and federal levels, including representing companies before state level oil and gas commissions regarding alleged violations. Bill has also represented oil and gas entities in front of administrative tribunals and agencies in enforcement and other regulatory matters. Bill has advised companies in negotiations and transactions related to all levels of oil and gas development.

In a recent Montana Supreme Court case, Bill successfully argued and obtained a reversal of the district court ruling that dismissed a suit on sovereign immunity grounds. The Montana Supreme Court held that a Delaware corporation, wholly owned and managed by Native American tribes, did not possess sovereign immunity and was not immune from suit in state court regarding the validity of privately held oil and gas leases.