Kirkland & Ellis LLP remains active in high-value, high-stakes energy litigation, handling complex oil and gas disputes in courts across the country. The team is frequently engaged in bet-the-company matters, combining deep industry knowledge with proven trial capability in contentious proceedings spanning commercial, regulatory, and class action contexts. Daniel Donovan is an experienced courtroom advocate who tries energy, financial, technology, and transportation disputes nationwide. Anna Rotman represents both plaintiffs and defendants in state and federal courts and in arbitration, with particular strength in energy sector disputes. Ragan Naresh is noted for multidistrict and class action litigation in the energy space. Kenneth Young focuses on complex commercial disputes, while Jeremy Fielding brings extensive experience in energy and antitrust litigation, acting on both sides of significant commercial cases.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Accolades
Client satisfaction: Lawyer & team quality
Client satisfaction: Sector knowledge
Key clients
- Antero Resources
- Ascent Resources
- Diversified Energy
- EQT Corporation
- Hess Corporation
- Merit Energy
- Targa Resources
- Lime Rock Partners
- TotalEnergies SE and TotalEnergies Marketing USA, Inc
Work highlights
Representing affiliates of EQT Corporation and Gulfport in Ohio lease disputes, Kirkland has defeated class certification, secured a complete defense verdict after trial, and prevailed before the Ohio Supreme Court in trespass and conversion claims challenging the scope of oil and gas leases affecting major eastern Ohio gas operations.
Representing Diversified and EQT, Kirkland defeated class certification in a West Virginia federal action alleging trespass, negligence and fraudulent transfer of abandoned gas wells, successfully striking the proposed landowner class before plaintiffs later sought court approval of a $6.5 million settlement to resolve the claims.
Representing Hess Corporation and its affiliates, Kirkland secured summary judgment in North Dakota state court, defeating claims by 34 plaintiffs seeking over $7 billion in damages and lease termination tied to Bakken production, resulting in cancellation of the September 2025 trial following extensive discovery and cross-motions.
Lawyers
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Other key lawyers
Daniel Donovan; Anna Rotman; Ragan Naresh; Kenneth Young; Jeremy Fielding; Michael Kalis