David G. Dunlap
Biography
Prior to his retirement, David Dunlap was a nationally-recognized oil and gas finance attorney who served Jackson Walker for all 50 years of his legal career. While at Jackson Walker, David spent 16 years as the Managing Partner of the Firm’s Houston office as well as serving on the Management and Compensation Committees. David was certified by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization in Oil, Gas and Mineral Law, and he served as the Former Chairman of the Board of Legal Specialization’s Oil, Gas and Energy Resources Law Section. He was recognized multiple times among the Best Lawyers in America, Who’s Who in Legal and Who’s Who in Energy by Houston Business Journal, and Top Lawyers by H Texas magazine.
Jackson Walker features profiles of its Retired Partners in recognition of their long and accomplished service to the firm, our clients, and our communities. Our Retired Partners are no longer practicing law. If you are interested in consulting with a Jackson Walker lawyer in the practice area where David worked, please click here. The phone number and e-mail links above also will connect you to Jackson Walker, where we will connect you with someone who can be most helpful for your inquiry, or pass along a personal message to our Retired Partner. The vCard link provides this same Jackson Walker contact information for your reference.
Education
B.B.A., University of Texas at Austin
J.D., University of Texas School of Law
Bar Admissions
Texas
Professional Certifications
Board Certified in Oil, Gas, and Mineral Law
- The Best Lawyers in America (Woodward/White Inc.), 2005-2025
- Natural Resources Law, 2005-2025
- Oil and Gas Law, 2007-2025
- Who’s Who Legal – USA by Lexology, Recommended for Energy â Oil & Gas, 2024
- Who’s Who in Energy, Houston Business Journal
- Houstonâs Top Lawyers, H Texas magazine
- Super Lawyer, Texas Monthly
‘The Best Lawyers in America’ Features 306 Jackson Walker Attorneys in 2025 Edition, Including 9 “Lawyers of the Year” and 75 “Ones to Watch”
The Best Lawyers in America has recognized 306 Jackson Walker attorneys across 81 specialty practice areas in its 2025 edition, including 9 Lawyers of the Year and 75 Ones to Watch. In this yearâs guide, Jackson Walker saw the largest number of attorneys in the areas of Commercial Litigation (75 attorneys) and Real Estate Law (55 attorneys) and the addition of 27 attorneys as Best Lawyers.
Attorney News • August 15, 2024
David Dunlap, Mike Pearson, and Kirk Rasmussen Recognized in Who’s Who Legal Energy Report
David Dunlap, Michael Pearson, and Kirk Rasmussen were recognized in Whoâs Who Legalâs Energy – USA Report featuring the leading practitioners with a proven track record in representing clients in the energy sector.
Attorney News • July 23, 2024
‘The Best Lawyers in America’ Honors 287 Jackson Walker Attorneys in 2024 Edition, Including 12 “Lawyers of the Year” and 80 “Ones to Watch”
The Best Lawyers in America has recognized 287 Jackson Walker attorneys across 5 offices and 82 specialty practice areas in its 2024 edition, including 12 Lawyers of the Year and 80 Ones to Watch. In this yearâs guide, Jackson Walker saw the largest number of attorneys in the areas of Commercial Litigation (66 attorneys) and Real Estate Law (60 attorneys) and the addition of 35 attorneys as Best Lawyers.
Attorney News • August 17, 2023
‘The Best Lawyers in America’ Honors 214 Jackson Walker Attorneys in 2023 Edition, Including 11 “Lawyers of the Year” and 41 “Ones to Watch”
The Best Lawyers in America has recognized 214 Jackson Walker attorneys across 6 offices and 79 specialty practice areas in its 2023 edition, including 11 Lawyers of the Year and 41 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.
Attorney News • August 18, 2022
‘The Best Lawyers in America’ Honors 178 Jackson Walker Attorneys in 2022 Edition, Including 8 “Lawyers of the Year” and 31 “Ones to Watch”
The Best Lawyers in America has recognized 178 Jackson Walker attorneys across 6 offices and 67 specialty practice areas in its 2022 edition, including 8 Lawyers of the Year and 31 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.
Attorney News • August 19, 2021
âThe Best Lawyers in Americaâ Honors 164 Jackson Walker Attorneys in 2021 Edition, Including 9 âLawyers of the Yearâ and 25 “Ones to Watch”
Jackson Walker congratulates the 164 attorneys who were selected by their peers as Best Lawyers, including 9 Lawyers of the Year and 25 Ones to Watch, across 6 offices and 66 specialty practice areas.
Attorney News • August 20, 2020
‘The Best Lawyers in America’ Honors 109 Jackson Walker Attorneys in 2020 Edition, With Eight Named “Lawyers of the Year”
Jackson Walker congratulates our 109 attorneys named to U.S. News & World Report’s Best Lawyers in America 2020 list, including eight attorneys who were named “Lawyers of the Year.”
Attorney News • August 14, 2019
Best Lawyers in America Recognizes 98 Jackson Walker Attorneys
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 16, 2018
Best Lawyers in America Recognizes 94 Jackson Walker Attorneys
The Best Lawyers in America, a widely regarded guide to legal excellence, has recognized 94 Jackson Walker attorneys in its 2018 edition. 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.
Attorney News • August 15, 2017
Jackson Walker Announces Expansion With Move Into New 5 Houston Center
Jackson Walker has moved into new offices at 1401 McKinney Street, occupying two and one-half floors of 5 Houston Center, the new 27-story office tower managed by Crescent 5 Houston Center, L.P., a subsidiary of Crescent Real Estate Equities Company.
Press Releases • October 4, 2002
Two Longtime Texas Law Firms Join Forces – Jackson Walker and Small, Craig & Werkenthin, P.C. Unite
Two of Texas’ oldest law firms, Jackson Walker L.L.P. and Small, Craig & Werkenthin, P.C., have voted to join forces, thereby becoming a single law firm: the first law firm with six Texas offices.
Press Releases • October 15, 1998
In 2014, David represented a public exploration and development company operating in the deepwater Gulf of Mexico in obtaining in excess of $1,000,000,000 of capital for the development of several offshore blocks, including the construction and deployment of a massive production platform.
Recognition & Accolades
- The Best Lawyers in America (Woodward/White Inc.), 2005-2025
- Natural Resources Law, 2005-2025
- Oil and Gas Law, 2007-2025
- Who’s Who Legal – USA by Lexology, Recommended for Energy â Oil & Gas, 2024
- Who’s Who in Energy, Houston Business Journal
- Houstonâs Top Lawyers, H Texas magazine
- Super Lawyer, Texas Monthly
Career Highlights
In 2014, David represented a public exploration and development company operating in the deepwater Gulf of Mexico in obtaining in excess of $1,000,000,000 of capital for the development of several offshore blocks, including the construction and deployment of a massive production platform.