David R. Little

Biography

David R. Little’s practice focuses on developing solutions to complex legal challenges for his diverse clients and he is the Managing Member of the Denver office. 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.

Representative 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 judgments, 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
  • Negotiated multiple contracts and settlement agreements resolving title and oil and gas disputes, oil and gas leases, oil and gas operations, surface use disputes, commercial disputes, limited liability company interests, and other business matters
  • Assisted clients in obtaining spacing and pooling orders from the Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission
  • Represented a wide variety of businesses, individuals and government agencies, and employees in damages and contract actions filed in state or federal courts

Licensed In

  • Colorado

Education

  • J.D. Stanford Law School
  • B.S.B.A. University of Colorado

Memberships

  • The Foundation for Natural Resources and Energy Law
  • Denver Petroleum Club
  • Colorado Energy Coalition
  • Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce
  • Colorado Bar Association
  • Denver Bar Association

Achievements

  • The Best Lawyers in America®, Energy Law (2009-Present), Litigation – Construction (2023-Present), Natural Resources Law (2024-Present)
  • Colorado Super Lawyer®, Energy & Natural Resources, 2009-2016
  • Who’s Who in Energy
  • Martindale-Hubbell® AV Rated
  • Dean’s Award, College of Business Administration, University of Colorado, 1980
  • Boettcher Foundation Scholar, 1976-1980

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

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