Mr. Terry W. Rhoads, Private Law Practice

Terry is a shareholder. Terry is Board Certified in both Personal Injury Trial Law and Civil Trial Law. He has held leadership positions in United Way of Midland and volunteers in many civic and charitable endeavors.

AREAS OF CONCENTRATION

Insurance Defense

Terry's formative years as a trial lawyer involved defending automobile liability cases and workers compensation cases, and assisting experienced trial lawyers in all types of more complex cases. Today the bulk of Terry's docket involves wrongful death, explosion, or other catastrophic accident cases, often involving millions of dollars. Terrys recent cases include tort and products liability claims arising from serious personal injury and death (aerial lifts, diesel tractors [18-wheelers], various oilfield equipment and tools, and medical devices). These and other cases have arisen under circumstances involving explosions of industrial compressors, oil and gas pipelines, tanks, and major vehicular accidents. Included in Terrys portfolio are many cases involving drilling/workover rig accidents and exposures to hazardous chemicals and wastes arising from process facilities and oil and gas operations.

Oil and Gas Litigation

In addition to surface access disputes, Terry handles cases dealing with operator/royalty owner disputes, surface owner conflicts, water and surface pollution claims, and cases between service companies and oil and gas lessees. His training and experience is especially helpful in issues involving field operations and downhole equipment failures. Terry utilizes his reservoir engineering training very capably in cases in which damage allegations include reservoir and reserve loss claims.

Governmental Entity Defense

A strong advocate for law and order, Terry has the privilege of representing governmental entities and police officers throughout West Texas and in the Houston area. The technical nature of the defenses to claims asserted involving governmental entities and their employees has resulted in the establishment of a Public Law practice group within the firm with a focus on delivering effective and cost-efficient results to our clients in the public sector.

PROFESSIONAL BACKGROUND

Terry worked for Amoco Production Company from 1977 until 1979 as a petroleum engineer, which provided him with valuable experience in the oil and gas industry.

EDUCATION

• B.S., Mechanical Engineering, Texas A&M University, 1976
• J.D., Texas Tech University, 1982

In law school, Terry was a member of Law Review and founding officer of the Texas Tech University Legal Research Board. He was voted by the faculty and his peers as the student most representative of what a lawyer should be.