Clinton Butler
Experience
- Investment, Leasing, & Management
- Pipeline & Midstream
- Water
Biography
Clinton Butler is a partner in Jackson Walkerâs Trial & Appellate Litigation practice in San Antonio. Clintonâs practice focuses on representing landowners in litigation and transactional matters related to oil and gas development, particularly in the Eagle Ford and Permian Shale mineral plays. His experience includes negotiating oil and gas leases, top leases, pipeline and surface use easements, and water use agreements.
In addition to his oil and gas work, Clinton represents businesses and individuals in commercial, construction, and fiduciary litigation. His client base ranges from large companies to small business owners and individuals. He is known for his strategic approach to litigation and dedication to achieving favorable outcomes for his clients.
Clinton is an active member of the legal and business communities, serving as a District Chair and Board Member for the National Association of Royalty Owners – Texas Chapter. In this role, he advocates for the rights of land, mineral, and royalty owners in negotiations with oil and gas companies.
In addition to his legal practice, Clinton is involved in various civic and charitable initiatives. He supports organizations such as Dress for Success and the San Antonio Food Bank, demonstrating his commitment to community service alongside his professional work.
Education
B.A., Baylor University
J.D., Baylor Law School
Bar Admissions
Texas
Court Admissions
United States District Court for the Western District of Texas
- Represented Limited Liability in a derivative action on behalf of Class B, non-voting stockholders against Class A voting stockholders who mismanaged the companies for their own benefit. Successfully defeated defendants’ summary judgment motions and negotiated a settlement in which the defendants purchased the clientsâ Class B stock at 30 times its value.
- Represented a lignite power plant in a breach-of-contract action brought by its lignite supplier seeking to terminate a critical supply leaseâa result that would have forced the power plant into bankruptcy. Obtained summary judgment in clientsâ favor compelling the supplier to continue delivering lignite and ordering the supplier to pay all of the clientâs attorney’s fees.
- Obtained numerous summary judgments in deed-interpretation cases requiring the court to determine mineral ownership between competing parties. Successfully argued cases at the trial court, court of appeals, and Texas Supreme Court levels.
- Represented the surface owner of an $80 million property in litigation against the oil and gas lessee. Secured a favorable settlement including a surface-use agreement protecting the property from mineral development during hunting season.
- Obtained favorable rulings in a partition action involving a large West Texas ranch, resulting in a division of the property that maximized value for the clients.
- Represented a mineral owner against an oil and gas company for failure to pay royalties in accordance with the lease terms. Obtained summary judgment in clientsâ favor dismissing all affirmative defenses sought by Defendant which resulted in a settlement in which Defendant paid all royalties alleged to be owed to the client, plus the clientâs attorneyâs fees.
- Represented a former lessee turned working-interest owner against the lessor and the assignee oil and gas company in a multi-party litigation. Obtained summary judgment eliminating the client’s liability to the lessor and securing a larger working interest than the assignee had originally been paying.
- Obtained summary judgment voiding a mineral deed from the client to a mineral-purchasing company, restoring the client’s mineral ownership.
- âBest S.A. Lawyersâ List, Business & Contracts, San Antonio Scene, 2026
- The Best Lawyers in America (Woodward/White Inc.), Oil & Gas Law, 2021-2024, 2026-2027
- Texas Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers by Thomson Reuters, 2025-2026
- Best Lawyers in San Antonio, Energy, Oil & Gas, San Antonio Magazine, 2019-2024
- Best Lawyers in Texas, Oil & Gas Law, (Woodward and White Inc.), 2024
- 40 under 40, San Antonio Business Journal, 2018
- Outstanding Lawyer, San Antonio Business Journal, 2017
- Whoâs Who in Energy, San Antonio Business Journal, 2015-2016
- Author, âThe Supreme Court of Texas Establishes a Two-Pronged Approach to Addressing Double-Fractions in Mineral Deeds,â Jackson Walker Insights (May 2026)
- âProtecting Oil & Gas Royalties During Bankruptcy,â Oil, Gas & Energy Resources Law Section Report, Volume 44, Number 2, June 2020
- American Cancer Society, South Texas Board Member
- National Association of Royalty Owners, Texas Chapter
- President, 2022-2024
- Vice President, 2021-2022
- Board of Directors
- San Antonio Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
- Karnes County Rotary Club
- Dress for Success Charitable Organization, Volunteer
- San Antonio Food Bank, Volunteer
- Scooby Van of San Antonio (childrenâs literacy program), Volunteer and Sponsor
- Texas Bar Foundation, Fellow
‘The Best Lawyers in America’ Features 360 Jackson Walker Attorneys in 2027 Edition, Including 12 “Lawyers of the Year” and 122 “Ones to Watch”
The Best Lawyers in America has recognized 360 Jackson Walker attorneys across 82 specialty practice areas in its 2027 edition, including 12 Lawyers of the Year and 122 Ones to Watch. Best Lawyers listings are based on an exhaustive peer review survey of thousands of attorneys who vote on the legal abilities of others in their practice areas. For over three decades, recognition in Best Lawyers has been regarded by both clients and legal professionals as a significant honor, since an attorney cannot pay to be listed.
Attorney News • August 20, 2026
The Supreme Court of Texas Establishes a Two-Pronged Approach to Addressing Double-Fractions in Mineral Deeds
By Clinton Butler
For decades, Texas mineral owners, royalty holders, and their successors have grappled with a deceptively simple question: when an antiquated deed uses a âdouble fractionâ involving 1/8, does 1/8 carry its ordinary arithmetical value, or does it refer to the entire mineral estate?
Insights • May 12, 2026
Jackson Walker Congratulates 2025 Texas Super Lawyers and Rising Stars
Jackson Walker is pleased to announce the recognition of 75 attorneys by Thomson Reutersâ Super Lawyers in the 2025 “Texas Super Lawyers” list, as well as 66 attorneys as “Texas Rising Stars” for 2025. Each year, less than 5% of attorneys are selected to Super Lawyers and 2.5% to Rising Stars. Selection is based off of peer nominations that are then reviewed by a research team. Each nominee is evaluated on his or her professional accomplishments, peer recognition, and community involvement.
Attorney News • September 18, 2025
âThe Best Lawyers in Americaâ Features 350 Jackson Walker Attorneys in 2026 Edition, Including 10 âLawyers of the Yearâ and 106 âOnes to Watchâ
The Best Lawyers in America, a widely regarded guide to legal excellence, has recognized 350 Jackson Walker attorneys across 87 specialty practice areas in its 2026 edition, including 10 Lawyers of the Year and 106 Ones to Watch.
Attorney News • August 21, 2025
Jackson Walker Welcomes Clinton Butler as Partner in Trial & Appellate Litigation Practice
Jackson Walker is pleased to announce that Clinton Butler has joined the firm as a partner in the Trial & Appellate Litigation practice, based in our San Antonio office.
Attorney News • January 29, 2025
Practice Experience
- Represented Limited Liability in a derivative action on behalf of Class B, non-voting stockholders against Class A voting stockholders who mismanaged the companies for their own benefit. Successfully defeated defendants’ summary judgment motions and negotiated a settlement in which the defendants purchased the clientsâ Class B stock at 30 times its value.
- Represented a lignite power plant in a breach-of-contract action brought by its lignite supplier seeking to terminate a critical supply leaseâa result that would have forced the power plant into bankruptcy. Obtained summary judgment in clientsâ favor compelling the supplier to continue delivering lignite and ordering the supplier to pay all of the clientâs attorney’s fees.
- Obtained numerous summary judgments in deed-interpretation cases requiring the court to determine mineral ownership between competing parties. Successfully argued cases at the trial court, court of appeals, and Texas Supreme Court levels.
- Represented the surface owner of an $80 million property in litigation against the oil and gas lessee. Secured a favorable settlement including a surface-use agreement protecting the property from mineral development during hunting season.
- Obtained favorable rulings in a partition action involving a large West Texas ranch, resulting in a division of the property that maximized value for the clients.
- Represented a mineral owner against an oil and gas company for failure to pay royalties in accordance with the lease terms. Obtained summary judgment in clientsâ favor dismissing all affirmative defenses sought by Defendant which resulted in a settlement in which Defendant paid all royalties alleged to be owed to the client, plus the clientâs attorneyâs fees.
- Represented a former lessee turned working-interest owner against the lessor and the assignee oil and gas company in a multi-party litigation. Obtained summary judgment eliminating the client’s liability to the lessor and securing a larger working interest than the assignee had originally been paying.
- Obtained summary judgment voiding a mineral deed from the client to a mineral-purchasing company, restoring the client’s mineral ownership.
Recognition & Accolades
- âBest S.A. Lawyersâ List, Business & Contracts, San Antonio Scene, 2026
- The Best Lawyers in America (Woodward/White Inc.), Oil & Gas Law, 2021-2024, 2026-2027
- Texas Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers by Thomson Reuters, 2025-2026
- Best Lawyers in San Antonio, Energy, Oil & Gas, San Antonio Magazine, 2019-2024
- Best Lawyers in Texas, Oil & Gas Law, (Woodward and White Inc.), 2024
- 40 under 40, San Antonio Business Journal, 2018
- Outstanding Lawyer, San Antonio Business Journal, 2017
- Whoâs Who in Energy, San Antonio Business Journal, 2015-2016
Publications & Speeches
- Author, âThe Supreme Court of Texas Establishes a Two-Pronged Approach to Addressing Double-Fractions in Mineral Deeds,â Jackson Walker Insights (May 2026)
- âProtecting Oil & Gas Royalties During Bankruptcy,â Oil, Gas & Energy Resources Law Section Report, Volume 44, Number 2, June 2020
Community Involvement
- American Cancer Society, South Texas Board Member
- National Association of Royalty Owners, Texas Chapter
- President, 2022-2024
- Vice President, 2021-2022
- Board of Directors
- San Antonio Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
- Karnes County Rotary Club
- Dress for Success Charitable Organization, Volunteer
- San Antonio Food Bank, Volunteer
- Scooby Van of San Antonio (childrenâs literacy program), Volunteer and Sponsor
- Texas Bar Foundation, Fellow