Olga Kobzar
Olga’s practice focuses on all aspects of energy law, with an emphasis on oil and gas litigation and regulatory matters in front of the Texas Railroad Commission. She represents operators, landowners, wastewater treatment companies, disposal solution providers, and other energy clients in regulatory and litigation matters.
After spending her childhood in Russia, Olga moved to Texas as soon as she could. She earned her J.D. from the University of Texas School of Law, with honors, and her undergraduate degree from Texas Tech University, summa cum laude. She also holds an M.B.A. from Texas Tech.
Prior to law school, Olga worked in marketing and periodically assisted with translations of oil, gas and chemical documentation into English. During law school, she served as a judicial intern to Justice James Campbell of the Seventh Court of Appeals of Texas and was the Managing Editor of the Texas Journal of Oil, Gas, and Energy Law.
Before joining Scott Douglass & McConnico, Olga served as a Briefing Attorney for Justice Debra Lehrmann of the Supreme Court of Texas.
Representative Matters
Successfully settled a protested Rule 37 application prior to hearing. Following review of engineering data and extensive negotiations with opposing counsel, the protestant decided to withdraw and application was administratively approved.
After a hearing at the Texas Railroad Commission, secured administrative approval of field rule amendment application in the Ford, West (Wolfcamp) Field.
After a hearing at the Texas Railroad Commission, secured administrative approval of MER and cancellation of overproduction in the Diamond M (Strawn) Field.
Assisted clients in defending the state agency’s Motion to Dismiss in the Western District of Texas, resulting in denial of the agency’s motion.
Assisted in settlement of litigation over failure to develop the leased premises in Montague County, Texas.
Advised clients on the scope of local counties’ authority to create permits and other transportation regulations for oil and gas operations.
Currently represent clients in Safety Audit Act proceedings at the Texas Commission for Environmental Quality.
Currently represent client in litigation with surface owner in Ward County, Texas over use of water, caliche, and roads to develop oil and gas on the premises.
Currently represent clients in appeals in the Thirteenth Court of Appeals and the Texas Supreme Court.
Articles & Presentations
Research published in “Square Pegs, Round Holes: The Application and Evolution of Traditional Legal and Regulatory Concepts for Horizontal Wells,” 7 TEX. J. OIL GAS & ENERGY L. 178, 2012.
Co-author, “Regulatory Update: Recent Developments at the Railroad Commission and General Land Office,” presented at the 2012 Oil, Gas and Mineral Law Institute on March 30, 2012.
Co-author, “Lesley v. Veterans Land Board: Revisiting the Scope of the Duty Owed by Executive Mineral Owners to Non-Executive Mineral Owners,” 5 TEX. J. OIL GAS & ENERGY L. 138, 2010.
Co-Author, “Are Mandatory Mediation Clauses in Residential Purchase Contracts Enforceable?” Alternative Resolutions, Fall 2006 Vol. 15 No. 4.
Recognitions & Awards
Recipient, TCRP Pro Bono Heroes Award, 2012
Managing Editor, Texas Journal of Oil, Gas, and Energy Law, 2009-2010
Recipient, Endowed Presidential Scholarship, The University of Texas School of Law, 2007-2010
Bar Admissions & Activities
Admitted to the State Bar of Texas and the federal courts for the Western and Northern Districts of Texas.
Founding Fellow and member of the board, Texas Energy Law Association (TELA)
Education
The University of Texas School of Law, J.D., with honors, 2010
Texas Tech University, M.B.A., with honors, 2001
Texas Tech University, B.A. in Political Science, minor in Business Administration, summa cum laude, 1998
