Melvin W. Cockrell, Jr. (born March 17, 1945 in Helena, Arkansas). He received a BBA in Finance from Texas A&M in 1967. At A&M, Cockrell was battalion Commander in the Corps, a Distinguished Military Graduate, Distinguished Student, President of the Finance Society, Member of Ross Volunteer Honor Company and Varsity Rifle Team among other associations and activities. Mr. Cockrell received a J.D. cum laude from University of Houston Law Center. At UH, Cockrell was Managing Editor of the Law Review, a member of the Order of the Coif, the Baron's Scholastic Society and was selected by the faculty to serve as Instructor of Legal Research and Writing to first year law students. Following graduation and prior to active duty with the U.S. Army, Cockrell clerked for the honorable Warren L. Jones of U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit. Cockrell has done post-graduate work at University of Houston and Dallas Theological Seminary.

Cockrell's legal practice includes breadth corporate experience from the largest integrated company: Exxon Corporation and Affiliates (Senior Counsel), to the small and aggressive independent: Lear Petroleum Exploration Company (Vice President and General Counsel). Cockrell's private practice also runs the spectrum from the largest firm (Baker & McKenzie) to the medium size (Shank, Irwin & Conant) and the small specialty firm of today (M.W. Cockrell & Associates). Mel's experience also includes a sabbatical year as Visiting Associate Professor of Law at Texas Tech School of Law. Mr. Cockrell has also been a member of the adjunct faculty of Southern Methodist University and currently serves as adjunct professor of oil and gas law at the University of Houston Law Center.

Mr. Cockrell has practiced oil and gas law since 1971. He was certified as a specialist in Oil, Gas & Mineral Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization in 1986, the first year the specialty was recognized. Cockrell's practice focuses on domestic and international transactions and disputes, titles, litigation assistance and consulting, expert witness and alternative dispute resolution (Mediation and Arbitration). He is a frequent speaker at industry and professional programs and has authored an extensive list of papers. For a more complete description of his experience and qualifications, view his resumé.

Grayson L. Davis (born July 8, 1943 in Palestine, Texas) received a BBA from Texas A&M in 1965 where he was an officer in the Cadet Corps and a Distinguished Military Graduate. Following graduation, Davis was awarded a regular army commission and served with distinction in the U.S. Army with two tours in Vietnam. Davis was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Air Medal with Oak Leaf Clusters, Bronze Star and Army Commendation Medal. Following completion of active service, Davis graduated from South Texas College of Law in 1973. In law school, Davis was awarded the E.E. Townes Award for Scholastic Achievement. Following graduation from law school, Mr. Davis commenced the practice of oil and gas law and served with a number of firms in the Houston area. Mr. Davis has concentrated his practice in the areas of titles (including stand-ups, analysis of prepared runsheets, as well as abstracts of title), operating agreements and farmouts, and lease maintenance issues. Mr. Davis has examined title in essentially every producing area in Texas and is recognized as a pre-eminent authority in title examination. Davis is certified as a specialist in Oil, Gas and Mineral Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization.

William A. "Gus" Speary (born July 15, 1947, Conroe, Texas) is the firm’s senior litigator and environmental lawyer. Litigation and environmental law are the two main areas of focus for his practice. In his 30+ years of practice, Gus has had extensive first chair experience in litigating, oil and gas, natural resources and commercial matters as well as major environmental claims. Speary's environmental expertise, besides litigation, extends to transactional, real estate and commercial applications of environmental law, as well as corporate compliance and regulatory matters.

In addition to substantial experience with major AV rated private firms, Speary has senior executive and professional experience with major NYSE corporations and independents including: Browning Ferris Industries, Exxon Corporation, Brown & Root, Inc.

Gus graduated with honors from Rice Institute in 1969 where he was a member of the varsity football team. (Although Gus is not an Aggie, he wishes he was, and of course, that counts a lot!). In 1972 he graduated cum laude from the University of Houston’s Bates College of Law. While in law school, Gus was Case Note and Comment Editor of the Houston Law Review and was selected by the faculty to be Instructor of Legal Research and Writing to entering freshmen. At University of Houston, Speary was awarded the American Jurisprudence Awards for posting the highest mark in the fields of Real Property, Torts and Evidence. Speary has been an adjunct professor both at the University of Houston’s School of Public Administration and its School of Business Technology. He has been cited by the United States District Court for excellence in ProBono and Public Interest Service.

Jacqueline S. Cockrell, Paralegal, earned a B.S. in Business Education from University of Houston. She is a diplomate of Southwestern Paralegal Institute (accredited by ABA) where she graduated at the top of her class. Jackie served as real estate paralegal for the Dallas law firm of Jenkens & Gilchrist, and later as oil and gas paralegal for Cockrell & Weed before moving into private industry. She has worked as senior real estate paralegal for Traveler's Insurance and Senior Commercial Paralegal and Escrow Officer for Safeco Land Title. Following her work with Safeco, she joined U.S. Restaurant Properties as Investment Supervisor where she was responsible for closing and legal maintenance of numerous commercial properties. Mrs. Cockrell has served as oil and gas paralegal with the firm since 2000, generally focusing on title, division order, due diligence and related matters.