On June 26, 2025, an SDM trial team led by Mark Hanna and John Ellis with significant help from Jane Webre and Rachel Stephenson, achieved a resounding courtroom win in McMullen County, Texas, successfully defending an Eagle Ford oil and gas operator in a jury trial involving land use and contractual claims.

The surface owners brought claims against SDM’s client alleging breach of contract and violations of the accommodation doctrine. The plaintiffs claimed the operator’s construction of a drilling pad had cost the plaintiffs millions of dollars in lost profits from their potential surface-mining operations. From the outset, SDM challenged the speculative nature of the plaintiffs’ damages and vigorously defended its client’s operations as both lawful and reasonable.

In a major early victory during trial, SDM obtained a directed verdict dismissing all claims under the accommodation doctrine. The case then proceeded solely on the breach of contract claim.

Plaintiffs sought nearly $1.5 million in damages. At closing, SDM urged the jury to base any award on the actual market value of the land rather than speculative future profits from an unestablished mining venture. The jury agreed, awarding less than $75,000 to the plaintiffs—a great result for SDM’s client and a number close to what the operator had tendered before building its drilling pad.

This result highlights SDM’s trial capabilities and deep experience in the energy sector. Congratulations to the entire trial team for their hard work and excellent advocacy.