Introduction
Lawrence is an officer and shareholder in Fredrikson & Byron’s Energy Group and heads the firm’s Bismarck office. His areas of expertise are in oil and gas law, public utility law, and other regulatory matters. Lawrence has represented oil and gas exploration companies, drilling companies, oil field service companies, pipeline companies, and other businesses in state and federal litigation and contested proceedings before various state and federal agencies. He represents and advises a wide variety of natural resources and energy related companies regarding contractual matters and compliance with state and federal regulations. Lawrence’s extensive experience in real estate law allows him to offer professional assistance with the sale and purchase of oil and gas properties, as well as title examination and complex financing transactions.
Lawrence has served as an Assistant Attorney General of the State of North Dakota and as Counsel for the North Dakota Industrial Commission, Oil & Gas Division, and the North Dakota Board of University & School Lands, giving him first-hand knowledge of the regulation of oil and gas companies in the state.
Education
- University of North Dakota, J.D., 1982
- North Dakota State University, B.A., 1976; M.A., 1981
Bar Admissions
- North Dakota, 1982
- Minnesota, 1983
- South Dakota, 2004
- U.S. District Court, District of North Dakota, 1983
- U.S. District Court, District of Minnesota, 1983
- U.S. Court of Appeals, Eighth Circuit, 1983
Practice Areas
Representative Experience
Administrative Work:
North Dakota
- Industrial Commission, Department of Mineral Resources, Oil & Gas Division
- Public Service Commission
- State Land Department
- Tax Department
- Water Commission
- Department of Health
South Dakota
- Department of Environment & Natural Resources
- Department of School and Public Lands
Federal
- Bureau of Land Management
- Environmental Protection Agency
- Bureau of Indian Affairs
Litigation:
- Disputes between operators and non-operators of oil and gas properties
- Represents oil and gas exploration companies and public utilities in real estate disputes
- Represents oil and gas exploration companies and public utilities in surface use disputes
Transactional Work:
- Mergers and acquisitions, financings and refinancing, complex exploration and farmout agreements
Appeals:
- Continental Resources, Inc. v. Schmalenberger, 656 N.W.2d 730 (N.D. 2003)
- Luallin v. Koehler, 644 N.W.2d 591 (N.D. 2001)
- North Dakota Workers Compensation Bureau v. General Inv. Corp., 619 N.W.2d 863 (N.D. 2000)
- Olvera v. Johnson, 609 N.W.2d 432 (N.D. 2000)
- Egeland v. Continental Resources, Inc., 616 N.W.2d 861 (N.D. 2000)
- Nygaard v. Continental Resources, Inc., 598 N.W.2d 851 (N.D. 1999)
- Continental Resources, Inc. v. Farrar Oil Co., 559 N.W.2d 841 (N.D. 1997)
- Texaco, Inc. v. Mercury Exploration Co., 994 F.2d 463 (C.A.8 (N.D.) 1993)
- J.P. Furlong Enterprises, Inc. v. Sun Exploration and Production Co., 423 N.W.2d 130 (N.D. 1988)
- Imperial Oil of North Dakota, Inc. v. Industrial Com’n of State, 406 N.W.2d 700 (N.D. 1987)
- Hystad v. Industrial Com’n, 389 N.W.2d 590 (N.D. 1986)
- State of N.D. ex rel. Bd. Of University of School Lands v. Block, 798 F.2d 1308 (C.A.8 (N.D.) 1986)
- Murphy v. Amoco Production Co., 729 F.2d 552 (C.A.8 (N.D.) 1984)
Selected Publications & Presentations
- Moderator, Fredrikson & Byron’s Employment Law Seminar, May 12, 2010
- “The Need for New Transmission in the Upper Midwest: Minnesota, South Dakota, and North Dakota,” FredNEWS: Energy, October 2008
Professional Activities
- Board Member, North Dakota Petroleum Council, 1999-present
- Board Member, The Northern Alliance of Independent Producers, 2001-present
- State Bar Association of North Dakota
- Minnesota State Bar Association
- South Dakota State Bar Association
- Burleigh County Bar Association
- Assistant Attorney General, State of North Dakota, 1982-1987
- Counsel, North Dakota Industrial Commission, Oil and Gas Division and Board of University and School Lands, 1982-1987
- Governor’s Representative, Interstate Oil Compact Commission, 1985-1987
Honors & Distinctions
- Ranked in Chambers USA; America’s Leading Lawyers for Business
- Best Lawyers in America Lawyer of the Year, 2013
- Super Lawyer, Great Plains Super Lawyers magazine
- Award Recipient, North Dakota Attorney General’s Office Lawyer of the Year, 1985
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