Michael E. McElroy, Founding Partner
8.18.52 – 6.22.20

Mike was a founding partner of the firm and much beloved by his family and his colleagues throughout the legal community. Mike loved the practice of law and those of us that occasionally worked on weekends were sure to find Mike studying recent court opinions and lobbing dry, one-liners at us as we passed by his office. But Mike’s first love was his children, Cate and Andy—a deep love that he simply could not contain whenever he spoke about them.

Mike attended law school at the University of Texas at Austin and was a huge Longhorn fan.  Mike was also a gifted athlete and, in law school, he was a member of the Legal Eagles, the law school’s intramural football team coached by the legendary UT law professor, Charles Alan Wright, with whom Mike bonded.  They were life-long friends.

Mike had a distinguished legal career which he began as counsel to the Texas Senate Natural Resources Committee, later serving as counsel to Texas Railroad Commissioner John Poerner.  In 1982, Mike formed the firm with his law school buddy, Brian Sullivan, a partnership that spanned four decades.

Mike has been described as a “lion” of Texas oil and gas law having litigated several important cases including HECI v. Neel, Browning Oil v. Luecke, and Railroad Commission  v. Arco, just to name a few.

We all miss Mike but his was a life well lived.

Dan Miller, Founding Partner
1.2.54 – 5.18.21

Dan, a Partner with the firm for over 30 years, was much beloved by his family, friends, and colleagues. Dan had a larger than life personality, a bright smile, and a big laugh. He was an amazing leader, mentor, and friend.

Dan relished the intellectual challenges presented by the practice of law. He loved to teach and took it upon himself to mentor young attorneys in trial practice, transactional work, and client management. He always made himself available for brainstorming and strategy sessions. Dan’s door was always open.

Before joining the firm, Dan worked for the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts and for the General Land Office, first as the manager of the Oil & Gas Section of the Legal Division, and then as the Deputy Land Commissioner over the Legal Division.

Dan loved music. He frequently attended the New Orleans Jazz Festival and Austin’s ACL Festival and he was an accomplished musician himself. Dan was known for giving unique and unexpected music recommendations.

Dan was first and foremost a family man and he exuded love whenever he spoke of them.

Dan will be greatly missed.