S. Jordan Smith
Practice Areas
Experience
- Energy Acquisition & Disposition
- Energy Finance
- Energy Litigation
- Shale & Unconventional Resources
- Upstream Oil & Gas
Biography
Jordan Smith is a recognized leader in energy transactions, advising exploration and production companies, private equity funds, and financial institutions on complex upstream and midstream oil and gas deals. Named to the Legal 500 Elite for Energy Litigation & Transactions (2025, Inaugural Edition), the Lawdragon 500 Leading Energy Lawyers for Energy Finance (2025), and The Best Lawyers in America for Oil and Gas Law (2025–2026), Jordan brings deep sector knowledge and a deal-oriented approach to every engagement. He is a partner in Jackson Walker’s nationally ranked Energy practice group, which holds a Tier One national ranking in U.S. News – Best Lawyers “Best Law Firms” for oil and gas energy law.
Jordan’s practice centers on negotiating and structuring sophisticated energy finance and acquisition transactions, with particular depth in alternative capital deployment strategies — including DrillCo transactions, volumetric production payments, equity joint ventures, and farmout arrangements — as well as traditional acquisitions, divestitures, and corporate reorganizations. He routinely represents private equity sponsors and institutional investors deploying capital into upstream and midstream assets, and advises E&P companies across the full lifecycle of their operations, from joint development and title diligence through asset dispositions and corporate mergers.
In addition to transactional work, Jordan counsels oil and gas clients on a wide range of operational and regulatory issues, including title and leasehold matters, water rights, horizontal drilling under special field rules, and lease development obligations. His understanding of both the legal and commercial dimensions of energy transactions allows him to serve as a strategic advisor to clients navigating a rapidly evolving market for private capital in upstream oil and gas.
Education
B.A., with honors, The University of Texas at Austin
J.D., St. Mary’s University School of Law
- Saint Mary’s Law Journal, Research and Articles Editor
- Phi Delta Phi Legal Honors Fraternity
Bar Admissions
Texas
Private Equity & Joint Venture Transactions
- Represented Pontem Energy Capital in the acquisition of upstream and midstream assets on the North Slope of Alaska.
- Represented a private E&P company in the acquisition of upstream and midstream assets located on the Southern Ute Indian Tribe Reservation in southern Colorado.
- Represented IOG Capital LP in multiple joint development transactions to develop oil and gas assets across Texas and other U.S. basins.
- Represented Abraxas Petroleum Corporation in the formation of a $300 million joint venture with a Colorado-based private equity fund to develop oil-rich and NGL-rich assets in the Eagle Ford Shale, involving the contribution of oil and gas properties in exchange for a long-term capital commitment for exploration and development.
- Represented a Texas-based E&P company in the private offering of interests in a limited partnership holding company.
Acquisitions & Divestitures
- Represented High Plains Natural Resources in the acquisition of approximately 62,000 net acres and 250 operated horizontal wells across Yoakum County, Texas, and Lea County, New Mexico.
- Represented Abraxas Petroleum Corporation (NASDAQ: AXAS) in the $38.3 million sale of its non-operated Bakken assets in North Dakota to Natural Resource Partners L.P. (NYSE: NRP).
- Represented a private E&P company in the sale of producing and non-producing Eagle Ford Shale leasehold assets in South Texas in a transaction valued at up to $78 million.
- Represented an Austin-based private energy company in the acquisition of overriding royalty interests in the Utica Shale in Columbia County, Ohio.
- Represented an oil and gas well drilling services provider in the sale of substantially all of its assets — including drilling rigs, workover rigs, and related equipment — to a competitor expanding into the Eagle Ford Shale.
- Represented a prospective purchaser of underground depleted reservoir storage facilities in due diligence and deal structuring.
- Legal 500 Elite: Energy Litigation & Transactions, 2025 (Inaugural Edition)
- Lawdragon 500 Leading Energy Lawyers, Energy Finance, 2025
- The Best Lawyers in America (Woodward/White Inc.), Oil and Gas Law, 2025–2026
- Texas Rising Star, Super Lawyers by Thomson Reuters, 2019–2022
Publications & Speaking Engagements
- “Filing and Challenging Mineral Mechanic’s and Materialman’s Liens,” Energy Section of the Dallas Bar Association (2025)
- “Hot Topics in Energy Bankruptcy,” Austin Bar Association (2021)
- “Lessons Learned from the Sanchez Energy Bankruptcy,” 39th Annual Advanced Oil, Gas and Energy Resources Law Course (2021)
- “Hot Topics in Energy Bankruptcy,” Houston Association of Professional Landmen (2020)
- “Structures for Deploying Private Capital in Upstream Oil and Gas Projects,” XXXIV Review of Oil and Gas Law, Energy Section of the Dallas Bar Association (2019)
- “Sales and Acquisitions of Oil & Gas Assets in Bankruptcy,” 37th Annual Advanced Oil, Gas and Energy Resources Law Course (2019)
- “Joint Exploration and Development Agreements,” XXXIII Review of Oil and Gas Law, Energy Section of the Dallas Bar Association (2018)
In the News
- “Oil and Gas Investor Cover Story: Revising the E&P Blueprint,” Hart Energy (April 2021)
- State Bar of Texas, Oil, Gas and Energy Resources Law Section, Member
- Dallas Bar Association, Natural Resources Section, Member
- Texas Bar Foundation, Fellow
‘The Best Lawyers in America’ Features 350 Jackson Walker Attorneys in 2026 Edition, Including 10 “Lawyers of the Year” and 106 “Ones to Watch”
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
Lawdragon Names 15 Jackson Walker Partners Among Leading Energy Lawyers of 2025
According to Lawdragon, the Energy 500 list “reflects the historic strength of a handful of firms in this area, as well as the incursions the global powerhouses have made establishing Energy as a mainstay of their practices.”
Attorney News • February 24, 2025
‘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 year’s 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
Jackson Walker Congratulates 21 Attorneys Named Among 2022 “Best Lawyers in Dallas” List
Jackson Walker congratulates the 21 attorneys recognized among D Magazine’s list of the “Best Lawyers in Dallas” for 2022. For recognition in the list, Dallas attorneys must be nominated by their peers on the basis that they offer unmatched counsel in one of 40 categories.
Attorney News • April 25, 2022
Jackson Walker Congratulates Its 2022 Texas Rising Stars
Jackson Walker is pleased to announce the selection of 51 attorneys to Thomson Reuters’ 2022 “Super Lawyers – Rising Stars” list, which recognizes only 2.5% of Texas attorneys who either are 40 years of age or younger or have been in practice for 10 years or less.
Attorney News • March 22, 2022
Jackson Walker Congratulates Its 2021 Texas Rising Stars
Jackson Walker is pleased to announce the selection of 36 attorneys to Thomson Reuters’ 2021 “Super Lawyers – Rising Stars” list. Spanning five offices and eight major practice areas, these up-and-coming attorneys have been nominated by peers within and outside the Firm.
Attorney News • March 23, 2021
‘D Magazine’ Lists 20 Jackson Walker Attorneys Among Best Lawyers in Dallas 2020
Twenty Jackson Walker attorneys were recognized in the “Best Lawyers in Dallas 2020” list by D Magazine, one of the premier publications in the city of Dallas. To be recognized in the list, attorneys must be nominated by their peers on the basis that they offer unmatched counsel in one of 40 categories.
Attorney News • April 24, 2020
Jackson Walker Congratulates 30 Attorneys Listed Among 2020 “Super Lawyers – Rising Stars” List
Spanning five offices, six major practice areas, and experience ranging from six to 15 years, these 30 up-and-coming attorneys were selected based on peer recognition and professional achievement.
Attorney News • March 10, 2020
‘D Magazine’ Lists 33 Jackson Walker Attorneys Among Best Lawyers in Dallas
Thirty-three Jackson Walker attorneys were recognized in the “Best Lawyers in Dallas 2018” list by D Magazine, one of the premier publications in the city of Dallas. To be recognized in the list, attorneys must be nominated by their peers on the basis that they offer unmatched counsel in one of 34 categories.
Attorney News • July 10, 2018
Jordan has advised on and worked with clients on a wide array of business and energy transactions, including:
- Purchase and sale agreements
- Joint development agreements
- Participation agreements
- Joint operating agreements
- Unitization agreements
- Conveyance instruments
- Oil and gas leases
- Water purchase agreements
- Surface use agreements
- Mechanic’s and materialmen’s liens
- Pipeline and other easement agreements
Practice Experience
Private Equity & Joint Venture Transactions
- Represented Pontem Energy Capital in the acquisition of upstream and midstream assets on the North Slope of Alaska.
- Represented a private E&P company in the acquisition of upstream and midstream assets located on the Southern Ute Indian Tribe Reservation in southern Colorado.
- Represented IOG Capital LP in multiple joint development transactions to develop oil and gas assets across Texas and other U.S. basins.
- Represented Abraxas Petroleum Corporation in the formation of a $300 million joint venture with a Colorado-based private equity fund to develop oil-rich and NGL-rich assets in the Eagle Ford Shale, involving the contribution of oil and gas properties in exchange for a long-term capital commitment for exploration and development.
- Represented a Texas-based E&P company in the private offering of interests in a limited partnership holding company.
Acquisitions & Divestitures
- Represented High Plains Natural Resources in the acquisition of approximately 62,000 net acres and 250 operated horizontal wells across Yoakum County, Texas, and Lea County, New Mexico.
- Represented Abraxas Petroleum Corporation (NASDAQ: AXAS) in the $38.3 million sale of its non-operated Bakken assets in North Dakota to Natural Resource Partners L.P. (NYSE: NRP).
- Represented a private E&P company in the sale of producing and non-producing Eagle Ford Shale leasehold assets in South Texas in a transaction valued at up to $78 million.
- Represented an Austin-based private energy company in the acquisition of overriding royalty interests in the Utica Shale in Columbia County, Ohio.
- Represented an oil and gas well drilling services provider in the sale of substantially all of its assets — including drilling rigs, workover rigs, and related equipment — to a competitor expanding into the Eagle Ford Shale.
- Represented a prospective purchaser of underground depleted reservoir storage facilities in due diligence and deal structuring.
Recognition & Accolades
- Legal 500 Elite: Energy Litigation & Transactions, 2025 (Inaugural Edition)
- Lawdragon 500 Leading Energy Lawyers, Energy Finance, 2025
- The Best Lawyers in America (Woodward/White Inc.), Oil and Gas Law, 2025–2026
- Texas Rising Star, Super Lawyers by Thomson Reuters, 2019–2022
Publications & Speeches
Publications & Speaking Engagements
- “Filing and Challenging Mineral Mechanic’s and Materialman’s Liens,” Energy Section of the Dallas Bar Association (2025)
- “Hot Topics in Energy Bankruptcy,” Austin Bar Association (2021)
- “Lessons Learned from the Sanchez Energy Bankruptcy,” 39th Annual Advanced Oil, Gas and Energy Resources Law Course (2021)
- “Hot Topics in Energy Bankruptcy,” Houston Association of Professional Landmen (2020)
- “Structures for Deploying Private Capital in Upstream Oil and Gas Projects,” XXXIV Review of Oil and Gas Law, Energy Section of the Dallas Bar Association (2019)
- “Sales and Acquisitions of Oil & Gas Assets in Bankruptcy,” 37th Annual Advanced Oil, Gas and Energy Resources Law Course (2019)
- “Joint Exploration and Development Agreements,” XXXIII Review of Oil and Gas Law, Energy Section of the Dallas Bar Association (2018)
In the News
- “Oil and Gas Investor Cover Story: Revising the E&P Blueprint,” Hart Energy (April 2021)
Community Involvement
- State Bar of Texas, Oil, Gas and Energy Resources Law Section, Member
- Dallas Bar Association, Natural Resources Section, Member
- Texas Bar Foundation, Fellow
Areas of Focus
Jordan has advised on and worked with clients on a wide array of business and energy transactions, including:
- Purchase and sale agreements
- Joint development agreements
- Participation agreements
- Joint operating agreements
- Unitization agreements
- Conveyance instruments
- Oil and gas leases
- Water purchase agreements
- Surface use agreements
- Mechanic’s and materialmen’s liens
- Pipeline and other easement agreements