profile

Micah L. Adkison

  • Shareholder
Phone:
Fax:
405-236-1840

Email:

Areas of Practice

  • Oil & Gas Litigation
  • General Litigation

Biography

Micah Adkison is an accomplished and dedicated attorney with a proven track record for successfully navigating complex legal challenges. With a focus on oil and gas litigation and real property disputes, he has consistently achieved favorable outcomes for his clients in a range of cases. Here are some highlights of Micah’s recent achievements:

Oil & Gas Royalty Litigation: As plaintiff’s counsel, Micah represented a working interest owner with claims under the Oklahoma Production Revenue Standards Act and various torts related to slander of title and breach of fiduciary duties. Through a comprehensive legal strategy, he secured a high six-figure monetary recovery via summary judgment. Additionally, recognizing the strength of his client’s case, he negotiated a substantial settlement of the remaining claims. This case and its resolution highlights Micah’s ability to advocate effectively for his clients and, often, secure substantial outcomes in complex legal disputes without the need for a trial.

Defective Oilfield Products: As plaintiffs’ counsel representing an oil and gas exploration company, Micah successfully litigated a products liability lawsuit stemming from a catastrophic event where the oilfield casing burst during a hydraulic fracture of his clients’ well, resulting, in part, in lost future oil production. In so doing, he secured a substantial settlement against both the manufacturer and supplier responsible for the defective casing. This achievement underscores his commitment to seeking justice for his clients and holding responsible parties accountable for their actions. Micah’s proficiency in handling hard-fought product liability cases contributed to this noteworthy success, ensuring his client received the compensation it deserved.

Oilfield Services Invoices Dispute: In a significant case involving claims for unpaid oilfield services invoices, he served as defense counsel and secured a substantial victory for his client. He obtained a summary judgment on his clients’ counterclaim, which alleged negligent mixing of drilling mud. The result was an impressive award of $570,958.00 for his client, and the plaintiff left empty-handed.

Master Services Agreement Breach and Conversion Claim: As defense counsel in a case centered on an alleged breach of a master services agreement and a counterclaim for conversion, Micah successfully compelled arbitration. As first chair during the arbitration proceedings before a panel of three arbitrators, he secured an arbitration award and ultimately obtained a judgment for his client totaling $111,502.52. Remarkably, the plaintiff took nothing from the case.

Oil and Gas Well Operators Dispute: Micah successfully represented three oil and gas well operators in a dispute with a non-drilling plaintiff. Through strategic legal maneuvers, he secured summary judgment, which was later affirmed on appeal. The case involved a disagreement over the correct non-consent penalty and claims under the Oklahoma Production Revenue Standards Act. The plaintiff’s claims were dismissed, and it took nothing from the litigation.

Protection of Access Easement: In another significant case, Micah served as defense counsel in a dispute concerning the termination of an access easement to a large farm. Micah represented the landowner of a neighboring farm on whose behalf the easement existed. Through a well-executed legal strategy, he obtained a summary judgment that protected the easement. The plaintiff was unsuccessful in its claim, and it went home with nothing.

Micah’s diverse experience as both defense and plaintiff counsel showcases his well-rounded legal acumen, but the main driver of his success is his detailed preparation. He is committed to delivering exceptional results and ensuring that his clients’ interests are vigorously pursued and protected.

Micah formerly served as a major in the United States Marine Corps. He is a past President of the Mineral Lawyers Society of Oklahoma City. During law school, he served as Editor-in-Chief of the Oil and Gas, Natural Resources, and Energy Journal (ONE J), received numerous academic awards, and was the recipient of the Rocky Mountain Mineral Law Foundation Scholarship.

Micah attends Pecan Valley Baptist Church with his wife, Melissa, and their three children.

Bar Admissions

  • U.S. Court of Appeals 10th Circuit
  • U.S. District Court Northern District of Oklahoma
  • U.S. District Court Eastern District of Oklahoma
  • U.S. District Court Western District of Oklahoma
  • Oklahoma
  • North Dakota

Education

  • University of Oklahoma College of Law, Norman, Oklahoma
    • J.D. - 2017
    • Honors: With Distinction
  • Tarleton State University, Stephenville, Texas
    • B.S. - 2003
    • Major: Political Science

Published Works

  • The Significant Nexus Test: Why the Waters of the United States are so Murky, 1 Oil & Gas, Nat. Resources & Energy J. 487 (2016)
  • How Justice Scalia’s One-Stroke Commonality Analysis Impacts Royalty Underpayment Class Litigation in Oklahoma State Courts, Institute for Energy Law, The Energy Dispatch, Issue 5 (April 2019)
  • Q&A with Micah Adkison – Whisenhunt v. Strat Land Exploration Co., Oil & Gas, Nat. Resources & Energy J. Blog
  • Q&A with Micah Adkison – Corporation Commission Expands Notice Requirements of Oil, Gas Operators, The Oklahoman, (August 28, 2019)

Speaking Engagements

  • Presenter, “Recent Developments: Class Certification in Oklahoma State Court Royalty Underpayment Litigation,” Mineral Lawyers Society of Oklahoma City in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma (November 15, 2018)
  • Presenter, “Recent Developments in Lease Cancellation & Royalty Litigation,” Woods County Mineral Owners Association in Alva, Oklahoma (August 28, 2023)

Honors and Awards

  • Joint Service Commendation Medal
  • Navy & Marine Corps Commendation Medal with gold star
  • Dean's Honor Roll
  • 1L Moot Court Distinguished Speaker Award
  • American Jurisprudence Award- Mineral Title Examination

Professional Associations and Memberships

  • Mineral Lawyers Society of Oklahoma City in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, President, 2020 to 2021
  • Federalist Society
  • Luther Bohanon American Inn of Court
  • American Associate of Professional Landmen
  • Rocky Mountain Mineral Law Foundation
  • Institute for Energy Law
  • Oklahoma Bar Association
  • Oklahoma County Bar Association

Past Employment Positions

  • Crowe & Dunlevy, Associate, 2017 to 2021
  • USMC, Major, 2000 to 2014