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Biography

David R. Little’s practice focuses on developing solutions to complex legal challenges for his diverse clients.  David represents his clients both in and out of the courtroom, having appeared in trial and appellate courts in Colorado as well as in other states and federal courts.  He represents clients on matters involving oil and gas, regulatory issues, torts, joint operating agreements, commercial contracts, oil and gas leases, mineral title disputes and royalty payments.  David also provides counseling and advice regarding collection matters, contract disputes, business disputes, commercial contracts, permitting, local government, mining, public lands and other commercial matters. 

Memberships & Awards

Professional
The Best Lawyers in America®, Energy Law ( 2009-Present), Litigation - Construction ( 2023-Present)
Colorado Super Lawyer®, Energy & Natural Resources, 2009-2016
Who's Who in Energy
Martindale-Hubbell® AV Rated
Colorado Bar Association
Denver Bar Association
Dean's Award, College of Business Administration, University of Colorado, 1980
Boettcher Foundation Scholar, 1976-1980

Key Experience

Coordinated a multi-million dollar settlement and partition of oil and gas wells and interests in two counties in North Dakota involving litigation and multiple owners in Oklahoma, North Dakota and Colorado
Defended an arbitration action arising from a multi-million dollar gas purchase agreement dispute in North Texas
Prosecuted, defended, and resolved multiple declaratory judgment, quiet title, contract and other damages actions arising out of title disputes, oil and gas contracts and oil and gas operations in Colorado and Wyoming

Work Experience

2016 Steptoe & Johnson PLLC
1998-2015 Bjork Lindley Little PC
1998 Long & Steese
1992-1997 The Connell Law Firm
1987-1992 Assistant Attorney General, Tort Litigation Section, State of Colorado
1984-1987 Assistant Attorney General, Appellate Section, State of Colorado
1983-1984 Law Clerk, Justice Joseph R. Quinn, Colorado Supreme Court

Speaking Engagements

Presenter, David R. Little & Diana Prulhiere, “Colorado Oil and Gas Update,” Denver Association of Division Order Analysts Spring Seminar, Denver, CO May, 2018

Presenter, David R. Little & Diana S. Prulhiere, “Firestone, Flowlines & More – What Operators Need to Know in Colorado,” National Association of Division Order Analysts 44th Annual Institute, Bastrop, TX November 2017

David R. Little & Diana S. Prulhiere, “New Developments Impacting the Oil & Gas Industry in Colorado,” Denver Association of Division Order Analysts Meeting, Denver, CO September 2017

David R. Little & Deva Solomon, “To Speak with the Lawyers, Press 2: An Interactive Discussion Introducing the Litigation Process, Current Hot Topics, and How Engineers Can Help Reduce Risk,” Society of Petroleum Engineers International (Denver Chapter), May 2017

David R. Little & Deva Solomon, “The Lawyers are at it Again: How to Save Your Lease when Operations are Shut Down and Associated Issues,” Denver Association of Lease and Title Analysts Spring Seminar, May 2017

David R. Little, Diana S. Prulhiere, & Casey C. Breese, Colorado, 3 Oil & Gas, Nat. Resources & Energy J. 663 (2017)

David R. Little, Panel Participant, “Post Production Clauses: Definitions, Legality and Lawsuits,” National Association of Division Order Analysts, September 2016

Deva A. Solomon and David R. Little, Litigation 101 for Lease and Title Analysts, Denver Association of Lease and Title Analysts, April 2016

David R. Little, “Farm-Ins and Farm-Outs,” Denver Association of Division Order Analysts Spring Seminar, April 2016

David R. Little & Diana S. Prulhiere, Colorado, 2 Oil & Gas, Nat. Resources & Energy J. 139 (2016)

Farm-In and Out Agreements: Key Terms, Conditions, Negotiations and Pitfalls, Negotiating Oil and Gas Agreements (NBI), November 2015

Eastern v. Western O&G Law Comparison Panel, National Association of Lease & Title Analysts, 30th Annual Conference, September 2015

Lease Ownership Challenges and Disputes, Frac Law: From Contract Negotiations to Environmental Disputes (NBI), September 2014

Energy Company and Landowner Rights, Negotiating Oil and Gas Leases (NBI) National Webinar, August 2014

Oil and Gas Conservation Law in Colorado: Selected Problems and Property Rights Effects and Limitations, Oil, Gas and Mineral Titles (HalfMoon), June 2014

Moratoriums and Sample Contracts and Agreements, Hydraulic Fracturing Land Lease Negotiations (NBI) National Webinar, March 2014

Lease Ownership Challenges and Disputes, Frac Law: From Contract Negotiations to Environmental Disputes (NBI), December 2013

Surface Owner Rights and Mineral Owner Rights, Frac Law: Oil, Gas and Water Right Negotiations (NBI) National Webinar, December 2013

Permitting, Regulation and Compliance Update, Negotiating Oil and Gas Agreements in Colorado (NBI), November 2013

Panel Discussion and Presentation, Oil and Gas Leases: Structuring Key Provisions (Strafford) National Webinar, March 2013

Agreements with Surface Owners, Contract Negotiations and Preparation in the Oil and Gas Industry (Lorman), November 2012

Panel Discussion and Presentation, Negotiating Oil and Gas Leases (ALI-CLE) National Webinar, October 2012

Lease Ownership Challenges and Disputes, Fracking Law: From Land Contract Negotiations to Environmental Disputes (NBI), September 2012

Drilling, Development, Production and Abandonment, New Rules of the Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission (HalfMoon), May 2009

Local Regulation of Oil and Gas Operations: The Rockies Experience, Special Institute on Development Issues & Conflicts in Modern Gas and Oil Plays (RMMLF) 2005 No. 1 RMMLF-Inst. Paper No. 5, November 2004

Regulatory Takings, AAPL’s 49th Annual Meeting & Conference (AAPL), June 2003