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Chris LeCates - Attorney

Chris has broad experience analyzing instruments affecting the allocation of costs and production for oil and gas development, with a focus on preparing title opinions.  He guides clients through challenging interpretational issues as they navigate the interface between legacy production and the evolving era of horizontal drilling.

Chris possesses extensive experience examining title and performing due diligence reviews of private, fee, and state oil and gas properties in New Mexico, Utah, and North Dakota.  Given the location of client activity, he is frequently asked to evaluate the impact of existing operating agreements within working interest units, as well as federal exploratory unit agreements upon public lands. 

Chris also assists clients in related acquisitions, divestitures, and dispute resolution.

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Practice Areas

 

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Title Work

  • Drilling & Division Order Title Opinions

  • Acquisition Opinions

  • Financing Opinions

  • Supplemental Title Opinions

  • Curative Title Work

Dispute Resolution/Litigation

  • Surface & Title Disputes

  • Operational Disputes

  • Contract/JOA Disputes

  • Rights-of-Way Disputes

  • Lis Pendens

  • Quiet Title Actions

  • Purchase & Sale Agreements

  • Conveyancing Instruments

Transactional & Due Diligence

Acquisition & Divestiture

  • Due Diligence 

  • Title 

  • Contract Issues

  • Deal Structuring

    • Transfer of Title ​

    • Indemnification

    • Confidentiality

    • Lien Priority

  • Third-Party Consents and Waiver

    • Consents to Assign​

    • Waiver of Preferential Purchase Rights

Admissions

  • Chris is admitted to practice in North Dakota and Utah

Professional & Civic Organizations

  • ​American Bar Association, member

  • Rocky Mountain Mineral Law Foundation, member

  • TreeUtah (a local non-profit focused on improving Utah’s quality of life through tree planting, stewardship, and education), Chair of Board of Directors

Education

  • University of North Dakota School of Law (J.D., 2013)

  • Utah State University (Bachelors of Economics 2009)

Main: 801-538-5000

808 East South Temple
Salt Lake City, Utah 84102

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©2020 by Lear & Lear, PLLC.

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