Wesley K. Keel

Starting his legal career in 2007 at Hall Maines Lugrin, Wesley Keel rapidly gained valuable insight and experience in every facet of major litigation from pre-suit investigation to discovery, mediation and trial.

Wesley’s practice focuses on the energy industry where he handles matters ranging from insurance coverage disputes, subrogation, personal injury and breach of contract to products liability. These matters arise in various ways from well-blowouts and product failures to pollution liability. Wesley represents clients in both state and federal courts, though he has had immeasurable success finding solutions for clients before lawsuits are filed against them.

Wesley is particularly drawn to the energy sector because it allows him to be involved in many different factual and legal landscapes while remaining within the backdrop of the oil and gas industry. Over the last two decades, the matters Wesley handled provided him a great depth of knowledge in both the oil and gas exploration and production industry and the insurance market that supports it. He strongly believes that success for his clients comes from being able to pay attention to the details while being mindful of the big picture and the result his client wishes to achieve. Mix this with his high energy and creativity and you have the practice philosophy Wesley employs to ensure the best possible outcome for his clients.

• Coverage & Bad Faith Defense
• 3rd Party Defense
• Commercial Disputes
• Excess Liability & Monitoring
• Insurance
• Coverage Opinions
• Products Liability
• Subrogation

• Trial counsel representing insurer in coverage dispute between multiple insurers regarding coverage for pollution and property damage stemming from fire and explosion during fracing operation, resulting in verdict in favor of client
• Trial counsel for oil and gas drilling company against operator in contract dispute regarding liability for millions of dollars in damages. Dispute centered on application and interpretation of indemnities in IADC drilling contract. Advantageous settlement for client reached during the middle of trial.
• Trial counsel representing oil and gas drilling company against claims by well owner for damage to and loss of well during operations when drilling line broke, causing casing to fall into and damage wellbore. Jury returned a verdict in favor of client.
• Trial counsel representing insurers in a six-week federal insurance coverage trial where damages resulted from hurricane damage to offshore platforms.
• Represented oil and gas exploration and production company against casing manufacturers and sellers where downhole casing failure caused loss of approximately $15 million. After several years of litigation obtained favorable settlement for client.
• Defended oil and gas operator against dozens of lawsuits and claims arising from the failure of a plug catcher during flowback operations. The failure caused several wells to catch on fire and blow out of control for weeks. The claims ranged from damage to real and personal property to personal injuries, loss of minerals and damage to underground production formations. Achieved favorable settlements with all plaintiffs and claimants well below initial damage estimates and demands.
• Represented oil and gas production company against pipeline manufacturer and installation company where the pipe ruptured prematurely. The installation company failed to remove the defective pipe after initial rupture allowing additional failure which caused millions in repair and remediation damages. During litigation, they reached favorable settlement with all defendants.
• Represented oil and gas production company against pipeline installation contractor and installation company where installers failed to properly weld the pipeline’s butt-ends together prior to burial allowing pipeline to fail causing pollution and repair damages. During litigation, achieved advantageous settlement with all defendants.
• Represented oil and gas operator after defective repair of a flowline caused subsequent premature line failure leading to extensive pollution damage to the surrounding area. During litigation, achieved valuable settlement for client.
• Represented oil and gas operator against personal injury claims arising from explosion at tank battery facility. Achieved favorable settlement during litigation.
• Represented clients in numerous matters involving defense and indemnity disputes arising from personal injuries and property damage occurring in the oilfield.
• Represented oil and gas companies in countless matters involving landowner claims arising from incidents occurring during exploration and production activities. Settled many without requiring litigation, saving client’s considerable expense.
• Routinely provide insurers with coverage opinions arising under liability policies, control of well policies and/or first party property damage polices.
• Routinely provide clients with opinions related to contract disputes ranging from master service agreements, purchase agreements, assets sales agreements and maintenance contracts.

What I do when not practicing law
Love playing golf, tennis, fishing and cooking.

I am a fanatic about
Barbecuing.

Favorite vacation spot
Hawaii.