Jefferson "Jay" Stewart has practiced with Adams and Reese since 1996 and is a Partner in the Energy Group responsible for revitalizing the firm's regional oil and gas practice. He helped open the firm's Jackson office and has led the Energy and Environmental Practice team to become truly regional practices.
Licensed in both Mississippi and Louisiana since the 1970s, Jay has more than 30 years of experience in all phases of exploration, development, production, transportation and regulation of oil and gas operations in the Gulf Coast region. He has experience rendering title opinions, assisting in curing title defects and litigation over title issues pertaining to ownership of oil and gas production.
While representing operators, non-operators and landowners, Jay has litigated and mediated on a broad range of legal issues, including serving as the First Chair at trial and the appellate level in Transcontinental Gas Pipe Line Corp. v. Mississippi State Oil and Gas Board, 474 U.S. 409 (1986), establishing the relationship between federal and state regulation of gas production and transportation after the Natural Gas Policy Act of 1978.
His other significant contributions include:
· Representing clients with virtually all legal issues pertaining to developing oil and gas prospects, acquisition and sales of producing properties, and sales, storage or transportation of the products in the Gulf Coast region.
· Regulatory experience in both contested and uncontested proceedings before the Mississippi State Oil and Gas Board and the State Tax Commission. He has also conducted business before the Alabama State Oil and Gas Board, MDEQ, the Louisiana Office of Conservation, Louisiana State Mineral Board, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission and Minerals Management Service.
· Representing clients on underground injection, storage and water rights issues in both Mississippi and Louisiana.
· Litigating and mediating RCRA/CERCLA claims, construction defect claims, environmental hazard claims, underground aquifer and ground water related claims.
· Representing clients in take-or-pay litigation in Mississippi, Louisiana and Texas courts during the mid-80s.
· Authoring "Post-production Charges to Royalty Interests: What Does the Contract Say and When is It Ignored?," 70 Miss. L. Rev. 625 (2006)
Jay has assisted in drafting and lobbying for statutory and regulatory changes in a number of conservation and environmental issues in Mississippi. He is frequently invited to speak at numerous seminars presented by the legal bars and landman's associations in Louisiana, Mississippi, Arkansas and Alabama. In his free time, Jay enjoys playing tennis, reading, traveling and attending family gatherings.
Professional Memberships / Affiliations
Mississippi Oil and Gas Lawyers
Mississippi Association of Petroleum Landmen
U.S. Oil and Gas Association
Other Distinctions
AV® Peer Review Rated - Martindale-Hubell
Best Lawyers® - Energy Law, Environmental Law, Natural Resources Law, Oil and Gas Law, Water Law
Chambers USA - Energy and Natural Resources
Seminars
Water Access and Use for E&P Activities, 10/15/2010
(Also at New Orleans, Louisiana Office)