Anthony Shaheen

In a case of first impression in Wyoming, obtained defense verdict for major oil and gas company for alleged breach of joint operating agreement by prevailing on the defense of laches. The verdict was affirmed by the Wyoming Supreme Court which held that laches was an available defense to a breach of contract claim and that the defense had been proven.

Tried and obtained the first, and to date, only defense verdict in a case brought under Rogers v. Westerman Farm Co., a landmark Colorado Supreme Court decision which dramatically changed Colorado oil and gas law. The class of 2500 royalty owners claimed the producer had underpaid royalties because the gas was not in marketable condition until after it had been processed into residue gas and natural gas liquids. The jury disagreed, concluding that the royalty owners had been paid properly. 

Lead trial counsel for 100 named oil company defendants and a defendant class of 3,000 royalty owners involving ownership of the coalbed methane underlying the Southern Ute Indian Reservation. The United States Supreme Court affirmed judgment in favor of the companies and the class in 1999.

Obtained acquittal in criminal environmental trial for violation of the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act.

Successfully sued the Ute Indian Tribe of the Uintah and Ouray Reservation, Utah, in Denver District Court, defeating claim of sovereign immunity.

Obtained defense verdict for refinery on antitrust claim that it engaged in price discrimination in violation of the Robinson-Patman Act.