Jon Ray Earns San Antonio Business Journal’s “Outstanding Lawyer” Award in Energy

Press Releases

11.18.11

Cox Smith Matthews Incorporated (“Cox Smith”) today announced that shareholders Jon Ray (Energy Law) and Marty Truss (Litigation) were named San Antonio’s “Outstanding Lawyers” in their respective specialties by the San Antonio Business Journal.  

As the head of Cox Smith’s Energy and Natural Resources department, Jon Ray leads a team of professionals who assist clients in all aspects of exploration programs, including lease acquisition, title examination, the curative process, regulatory compliance and litigation defense. He has experience representing operators and producers in exploration programs, sales and acquisitions, financings and hydrocarbons marketing. He has many years of experience in negotiating and preparing exploration and participation agreements, farmins and farmouts, joint operating agreements and related trade and industry contracts, as well as loan documentation and purchase and sale transactions. Board-certified by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization in oil, gas, and mineral law, Ray was recently named “Lawyer of the Year” in Natural Resources Law in San Antonio by The Best Lawyers in America® for 2012. He has been recognized by Best Lawyers in America since 1993 and the firm received a 2011-2012 Tier 1 ranking in San Antonio from U.S. News & World Report-Best Lawyers in Energy Law, Oil & Gas Law, and Natural Resources Law.   

Marty Truss brings a committed and tough, yet practical, approach to solving his clients’ problems in complex commercial litigation. Cox Smith has one of the largest trial and dispute resolution groups in Central and South Texas and a geographic reach throughout the state. Marty has been an instrumental member of the firm’s litigation team for 15 years and currently heads up the firm’s energy litigation practice group. Working principally in the energy industry, he has represented clients in state and federal courts and arbitrations of complex business disputes throughout Texas, Oklahoma, Wyoming, Louisiana, Arkansas and New York. He has represented major and independent producers, operators and other mineral interest owners, as well as oil field service companies, drilling contractors, pipeline companies and refiners in a wide variety of business litigation. Marty frequently handles litigation involving disputes concerning mineral title, joint operating agreements, farmout agreements, pipeline agreements, trade secrets, and securities fraud.    Marty has been repeatedly recognized by his peers as an outstanding litigator. Recent accolades include his recognition in The Best Lawyers in America®, 2010-2011; Scene in SA, "San Antonio's Best Lawyers," 2005-2009, 2011; and "Texas Super Lawyer," Law and Politics Magazine, 2007-2010. 

“Jon and Marty lead an experienced team of lawyers who are working with companies doing business in Texas and the Eagle Ford,” said Jamie Smith, managing director of Cox Smith. “It’s been my pleasure to watch them earn the recognition they deserve for the outstanding counsel they provide and the results they achieve for their clients.”