George W. Mueller, Esq.

Arbitrator, Mediator - Oil and Gas Disputes

about

George Mueller, Esq., practiced oil and gas law from 1974 to 2013 with the Denver firm of Burns, Wall, and Mueller, P.C. He was the firm’s senior litigator and tried numerous cases involving oil and gas law, some of which resulted in decisions by the Colorado Court of Appeals, Colorado Supreme Court, Wyoming Supreme Court and Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals. He now acts as a mediator and arbitrator of oil and gas disputes.Mr. Mueller has previously spoken before the Denver Association of Petroleum Landmen, the Colorado Petroleum Association, the Rocky Mountain Mineral Law Institute and National Constitution Center. He was a member of the faculty for the 2006, 2009, 2012 and 2014 Colorado CLE Oil and Gas Law Basics course. He is the author of “Use of Another Party’s Title Opinion”, 49th Annual Rocky Mountain Mineral Law Institute.

WORK HISTORY

  • Arbitrator and Mediator, 2013-present

  • Attorney, Burns, Wall and Mueller, P.C., 1974-2012

  • U.S. Army, Judge Advocate General Corps, 1971-74

EXPERIENCE

Firm’s senior litigator beginning in 1974 primarily involved in disputes arising out of the oil and gas industry. Cases included claims concerning drilling operations including environmental damage and personal injury, title to oil and gas leasehold, royalty and overriding royalty interests, royalty valuation including post-production cost issues, net profits contract and oil and gas accounting issues, surface access and damage issues, oil and gas lease interpretation, operating, farm out, acquisition, and unit agreements, oil and gas liens and the application of implied covenants to oil and gas leases. Also wrote title opinions and drafted contracts related to oil and gas operations and production loans.

EXPERT WITNESS EXPERIENCE

Has also served as expert witness regarding the standard of care for oil and gas attorney malpractice and in cases concerning industry custom and practice in the construction and operation of various oil and gas agreements.

ALTERNATIVE DISPUTE RESOLUTION EXPERIENCE

Has served as mediator or arbitrator in various disputes arising out of the oil and gas industry and as Special Master for the Denver District Court in the City and County of Denver’s condemnation of mineral interests for the Denver International Airport. Served as arbitrator in an oil and gas dispute involving rights to properties valued in excess of $500 million. Mediation and arbitration practice has included disputes under a unit operating agreement, purchase of oil and gas leases, oil and gas title issues, environmental remediation disputes, due diligence issues in the acquisition of oil and gas properties, terms affecting the validity of leases including drilling and shut-in royalty clauses, rights earned under a participation agreement and development of prospects and overriding interests earned thereunder, leasehold rights under purchase and sale agreements and under an area of mutual interest clause, and class action royalty disputes.

ALTERNATIVE DISPUTE RESOLUTION TRAINING

  • AAA Making the Most of Mediation, 2014

  • AAA Developments In Arbitration Law: Disclosure, Vacatur, Sanctions, and Arbitrator Authority, 2013

  • AAA Managing the Arbitration Process for Efficiency & Economy Following the Preliminary Hearing, 2012

  • AAA Maximizing Efficiency & Economy in Arbitration: Challenges at the Preliminary Hearing, 2011

  • AAA Webinar, Arbitrator Boundaries: What are the Limits of Arbitrator Authority?, 2010

  • AAA Arbitrator Ethics & Disclosure (ACE003), 2008

  • AAA Dealing With Delay Tactics in Arbitration (ACE004), 2008

  • AAA Arbitration Awards: Safeguarding, Deciding & Writing Awards (ACE001), 2006

  • AAA Chairing an Arbitration Panel: Managing Procedures, Process & Dynamics (ACE005), 2005

  • AAA Pro Se: Managing Cases Involving Self-Represented Parties (ACE002), 2004

  • AAA Arbitrator Update, 2001

  • AAA Commercial Arbitrator II Training, 2001

  • AAA Commercial Arbitrator Training, 1999

  • Christian Legal Society of Metropolitan Denver, Mediation Training, 1995

  • STOTT/MONSMA, ADR Training, 1995

PROFESSIONAL LICENSES

Admitted to the Bar: Ohio, 1970; Colorado, 1974; U.S. District Court, District of Colorado, 1974; U.S. Court of Appeals, Tenth Circuit, 1974 (Inactive status as of January 2013); C.R.C.P. 204.6 Pro Bono Certification 05/13/2015.

PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS

Past Member: Colorado Bar Association; Denver Bar Association; Rocky Mountain Mineral Law Foundation; Christian Legal Society; American Arbitration Association

EDUCATION

  • Davidson College (BA, English - 1967)

  • University of Cincinnati (JD - 1970)

  • Judge Advocate Generals Corps, military law school (1971)

  • National Institute of Trial Advocacy (1976)

PUBLICATIONS AND SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS

  • Author and Speaker, Use of Another Party's Title Opinion, 49th Annual Rocky Mountain Mineral Law Institute; republished in the January-February 2013 edition of Landman magazine

  • Speaker, "Oil and Gas Litigation Issues," Denver Association of Petroleum Landmen

  • Speaker, "Landowner Royalty Issues," Colorado Petroleum Association

  • Speaker, "Basics of Oil and Gas Leases," National Constitution Center

  • Faculty Member, "Oil and Gas Law Basics," Colorado Bar Association CLE

Contact

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