Chris Aycock: Attorney, Businessman, mediator

Raised in the tiny Texas Panhandle town of Farwell, Chris learned to be as comfortable driving a tractor and working with mechanical things as he was helping with clerical tasks in his father's small law practice. After graduating from Farwell High School, in the same class as his future wife, Chris attended Texas Tech University where he received, magna cum laude, a Bachelor of Arts in English with dual minors in Economics and History.  He then attended Baylor University School of Law where, in 1996, he earned his Juris Doctor and was admitted to the Order of Barristers.  In 2015, Chris obtained his mediator credentials through Texas Tech School of Law. 

For nearly twenty years, the primary focus of Chris' litigation practice was handing complex business-related matters in state and federal courts, with particular emphasis on Oil & Gas cases.  Over his career as a litigator, Chris served as lead counsel on hundreds of cases that were resolved through bench trial, jury trial, arbitration, mediation, or other means of voluntary settlement.  

He also had a significant appellate practice handling appeals before the Texas Supreme Court, the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit, the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, and various Texas intermediate courts of appeals.  At the Texas Supreme Court, he successfully argued Lesley v. Veteran's Land Board, 352 S.W.3d 479 (Tex. 2011).  Also, before the Texas Supreme Court he represented the successful parties in the following cases as briefing  attorney: In Re:  James K. Norwood, et al., as Co-Trustees of The Texas Pacific Land Trust, Case No. 10-0112 (Tex. 2011)(pet. denied);  In Re: Bill Alexander, Case No. 07-0528 (Tex. 2007)(writ denied); In Re: Joe R. Clark, Case No. 04-0365 (Tex. 2004)(writ denied); Tri-Star Petroleum Co. v. Tipperary Corp, et al., Case No. 03-0759 (Tex. 2004)(pet. denied); In Re: Tri-Star Petroleum Co., Case No. 03-0762 (Tex. 2004)(writ denied); In Re: Tri-Star Petroleum Co., Case No. 04-0161 (Tex. 2004)(writ denied); Tri-Star Petroleum Co. v. Tipperary Corp, et al., Case No. 04-0082 (Tex. 2004)(pet. denied); and In Re: Tri-Star Petroleum Co., Case No. 01-0320 (Tex. 2001)(writ denied).

In 2015, he joined ExL Petroleum as Senior Counsel, Land & Legal.  Chris was soon promoted to Land Manager and then to Vice President.  As an executive team member, Chris was jointly responsible for the evaluation, acquisition, development, and divestiture of approximately $1.5 billion in Oil & Gas assets.  He negotiated all manner of contracts and managed Land and Regulatory related functions and employees.  He participated in strategic business decisions, including board-level matters.

Chris is AV-Preeminent rated by Martindale-Hubble, a Life Fellow of the Texas Bar Foundation, and a former member of the Texas State Bar Oil, Gas & Energy Law Council. He is an Eagle Scout and a former Assistant Scoutmaster of Troop 160.  He served as a Trustee, and then President, of Trinity School of Midland.  He is a licensed pilot and holds a Senior Pilot Rating for the Commemorative Air Force.

Jim grew up on the family farm in northern Martin County, Texas. In addition to being a Board Certified Oil & Gas lawyer, he owns and manages farmland, rental properties, mineral and working interests, and  served as a bank director for a small community bank. He also served two terms on the planning and zoning commission for the City of Midland. 

Jim holds a Bachelors degree in Agricultural Economics and a Masters degree in Business Administration, both from Texas Tech University. He began his career as a financial analyst for Conoco Inc. After four years with Conoco, Jim returned to Texas Tech University School of Law where he earned his law degree and was a member of the Law Review. 

In 1997, Jim began his law practice in Texas and became licensed to practice law in New Mexico in 1998. His practice focused on title matters, transactions, leases, operating agreements, and other industry-related contracts in both Texas and New Mexico. Jim later earned his Board Certification in Oil, Gas, & Mineral Law from the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. He is a Life Fellow of the Texas Bar Foundation and served two terms on both the Oil, Gas and Mineral Law Advisory Commission and the Oil, Gas and Mineral Law Exam Commission.

In 2013, Jim joined ExL Petroleum as Oil & Gas Counsel and was later promoted to Vice President. As an executive team member, Jim was jointly responsible for the evaluation, acquisition, development, and divestiture of approximately $1.5 billion in oil & gas assets. He had executive authority to manage and oversee all oil & gas related legal issues and managed division order related functions and employees. He also participated in strategic business decisions, including board-level matters.