HOUSTON, Jan. 8, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Burleson LLP, the largest law firm in the country devoted specifically to the oil and gas industry, announced today that attorneys Brent Chicken, Don Hueske, Andrew Jenkins, Wes Sharples, and Michael Vennum have become partners. 

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Managing Partner Rick Burleson said the announcement underscores the firm's commitment to attracting and retaining some of the best and brightest the industry has to offer. 

"When we hire attorneys, we invest in their future – and the future of our firm," he explained.  "We want them to build their careers here by leveraging their talents and continuously honing their practice and leadership abilities. 

"Brent, Don, Andrew, Wes, and Michael have all excelled in this environment.  They've accomplished a lot in a relatively short amount of time and have played a pivotal role in formulating the strategic direction of Burleson.  They are an asset to our firm and our clients, and I couldn't be prouder to have them as partners."

Brent Chicken, who joined Burleson's Denver location in 2011, has a broad base of experience in exploration and production as well as midstream oil and gas law matters.  Licensed to practice in Colorado, Wyoming, Montana, and North Dakota, he represents clients in complex commercial litigation, mediation, and arbitration involving a wide range of concerns, and is well versed in corporate, regulatory, and oil and gas law. 

Don Hueske joined Burleson in 2010 and practices oil and gas law while providing leadership on the firm's Rapid Response Due Diligence™ team.  With a career spanning more than 30 years in the energy industry, Hueske has been an attorney for two decades and has extensive experience in all of the producing regions of Texas.   He oversees professional development efforts for the oil and gas title associates in the firm's Houston location and has participated in a number of quick-turnaround due diligence projects.   Hueske is Board Certified in Oil, Gas, and Mineral Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization.

Andrew Jenkins is an attorney in Burleson's Pittsburgh location, where he concentrates his practice primarily in litigation.  Since joining the firm in 2010, he has worked closely with its leaders to strengthen Burleson's litigation practice in Pennsylvania.  In his 10 years of practice, Jenkins has represented multiple oil and gas exploration and production companies in a variety of lease, business, and land ownership disputes, tried many cases as first and second chair, and handled a number of arbitrations and appeals.

Wes Sharples has practiced in the firm's San Antonio office since 2010, overseeing the workflow and assignment of oil and gas title matters.  He has rendered numerous title opinions on lands located in Texas, Louisiana, and New Mexico, and regularly advises clients on oil and gas mineral title issues. 

Sharples is also experienced in advising clients in a wide range of oil and gas matters, including preparation of agreements and the acquisition, exploration, development, production, marketing, and divestiture of oil and gas properties.   He has represented clients in contract disputes involving various forms of oil and gas agreements and in defense of environmental tort claims, and he has advised clients on corporate organization and federal trademark registration. 

Michael Vennum joined Burleson's Pittsburgh location in 2010 and now leads the firm's Land Use Practice Group in Pennsylvania.  He is licensed in all four jurisdictions of the Appalachian region – Pennsylvania, Ohio, West Virginia, and New York – and has represented exploration and production companies in a wide range of regional development issues, including local zoning, road use, municipal ordinance challenges, and general real estate matters.  His career spans nearly 20 years. He has been published on a number of occasions and has given presentations for the Pennsylvania Bar Institute and the Energy and Mineral Law Foundation. 

About Burleson LLP
With more than 130 attorneys in offices in Houston, San Antonio, Midland, Pittsburgh, and Denver, Burleson LLP is the largest full-service law firm in the country devoted specifically to the oil and gas industry.  We are unique in being on the ground in the key markets serving the unconventional shale plays, and we bring a distinct blend of legal understanding and technical skill to our practice. Our attorneys have worked as petroleum engineers, chemists, landmen, and geologists, and more than a third have served as inside legal counsel for oil and gas companies.  These qualifications – combined with Burleson's broad geographic reach and comprehensive scope of services – have earned the firm a reputation for providing clients with the most seasoned, energy-specific legal services team the industry has to offer.   For further information, visit www.burlesonllp.com.

SOURCE Burleson LLP