Brent Blackstock PLCBrent Blackstock PLC2026-08-31T14:22:28Zhttps://www.brentblackstock.com/feed/atom/WordPress/wp-content/uploads/sites/1503614/2023/07/cropped-BB_FAV-32x32.pngOn Behalf of Brent Blackstock PLC<![CDATA[3 Red flags that signal partner fraud in a company]]>https://www.brentblackstock.com/?p=475652026-08-31T14:22:28Z2026-08-31T14:22:28ZDiscovering that a business partner may steal money or hide company assets creates serious risk. Prompt legal action helps secure account records and protect business property before money disappears.
Unexplained adjustments to official financial records
Unexplained changes in financial logs often reveal internal theft. You may spot manual entries without supporting receipts, unexpected balance changes or altered payment logs. Business partners who steal often try to cover secret cash withdrawals with fake business costs.
When income reports do not match bank deposits, you need an immediate financial review. You must inspect all account records to catch hidden money transfers early.
Sudden resistance to routine internal accounting audits
Under state law, business co-owners have a right to inspect company files. A partner who refuses to share financial records violates these legal rights. Problem partners often use specific tactics to delay review:
Excuses about missing receipts or sales records
Direct changes to bank account passwords
Refusal to attend scheduled business meetings
Noticing these bad behaviors allows owners to demand financial files quickly. You can also ask a judge to order the protection of financial records before evidence gets destroyed.
Unusual payments made to unknown vendors or shell entities
Hidden money transfers often go to unfamiliar company accounts or fake businesses. A partner might create fake supplier accounts to steal money. They might also send company funds to personal accounts while calling those transfers service fees.
Reviewing monthly bank statements line by line helps catch fake payments. Doing this quickly helps locate missing funds before money leaves the state.
How to protect corporate assets during internal business disputes
When you spot partner misconduct, quick legal consultation helps review your legal choices under strict state deadlines. State rules often give business owners two years to file fraud claims. Early review with an experienced commercial litigation attorney helps protect your company assets, preserve proof and secure your business investments.
]]>On Behalf of Brent Blackstock PLC<![CDATA[What well operators should know about cross-boundary drilling]]>https://www.brentblackstock.com/?p=475642026-08-21T09:09:44Z2026-08-21T09:09:44ZOklahoma Corporation Commission (OCC) spacing and pooling orders define the scope of an operator's drilling authority in Oklahoma. But those rights have limits set by each agreement and state rules.
If a wellbore path crosses into land for which the operator does not have valid drilling rights, the operator may face claims for damages and injunctive relief. Serious disputes may result in civil litigation or OCC proceedings involving multiple parties.
Key legal questions in cross-boundary drilling disputes
Several legal questions often shape these cases:
Did the wellbore, lateral or hydraulic fracturing operation cross a boundary?
Did leases, assignments or pooling orders give valid drilling rights?
Did surveys, plats and well data support the operator's position?
Did produced oil and gas come from land outside the operator's rights?
Did surface and underground activities create separate damage claims?
Each question requires early review of the facts. Small errors in title or well path data can change a claim's value.
Risk control before operations start
Thorough operators treat boundary review as both a legal and technical priority. Legal counsel should review lease language, title chains, spacing orders and OCC filings. Engineers and surveyors should confirm that planned well paths align with current legal descriptions. Land teams should verify consents, elections and recorded instruments before operations begin.
When a concern comes up, quick action matters. A fast response can help limit exposure, protect relevant drilling records and maintain the operator's standing with working interest owners and neighboring lessees. Thorough pre-operation review can reduce the risk of disputes and strengthen an operator's position if a claim arises.
How preparation shapes an operator's position in a dispute
The groundwork for a successful defense is typically laid long before a dispute arises. Operators who review their lease titles, confirm OCC spacing and pooling status, and verify planned well paths before drilling begins are better positioned to respond quickly and with supporting documentation if a claim surfaces. In cross-boundary drilling cases, preparation is not just a best practice – it is often what allows an operator to respond quickly and with credible documentation when a claim arises.]]>On Behalf of Brent Blackstock PLC<![CDATA[Can mineral owners start drilling without your consent?]]>https://www.brentblackstock.com/?p=475572026-08-19T08:32:29Z2026-08-05T06:06:04ZWhat is due process?
Under Oklahoma law, a mineral owner may not commence operations on your land without notice. Furthermore, they are expected to negotiate with you in good faith to reach an agreement. During this negotiation, you can demand and secure compensation for any potential damage the operations may cause to your property, including structures like your home.
What if you two don’t reach a deal?
If both parties fail to reach an agreement, the mineral owner may continue with their operations after filing a petition to the Oklahoma federal district court for appointment of appraisers and posting the required financial security. The court usually appoints three disinterested appraisers who, upon evaluating the potential damages, will submit a detailed report to the court regarding the surface owner’s compensation for potential damages.
If a mineral owner willfully and knowingly commences operations without a statutory notice or filing a petition to the court, the surface owner becomes eligible for treble civil damages equal to three times the actual damages caused.
Protect your rights
Both surface and mineral owners are legally bound to follow established procedures; failure to do so can result in significant financial penalties. If you believe a mineral owner is acting unreasonably or bypassing legal requirements, consult an attorney experienced in oil and gas law to ensure they fully protect your property rights.]]>On Behalf of Brent Blackstock PLC<![CDATA[Why civil RICO claims are difficult to prove in business disputes]]>https://www.brentblackstock.com/?p=475552026-08-19T08:45:20Z2026-07-23T14:45:45ZA fraud dispute is not always a civil RICO claim
Business disputes can arise for many reasons, including broken promises, missed payments and disagreements among partners. While some corporate disputes involve deceptive behavior, not every act of fraud becomes a civil RICO claim.
Under the federal Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO), a civil RICO claim generally requires repeated unlawful conduct connected to an enterprise. A single incident or failed business deal may not meet these requirements.
What a civil RICO claim might require
A potential civil RICO claim may involve questions about:
Whether the alleged conduct involved repeated actions rather than one isolated event
Whether the actions were connected to an enterprise
Whether the business suffered harm because of the alleged conduct
These factors help separate complex fraud claims from ordinary business disagreements.
Proving a pattern of misconduct can be challenging
One challenge is showing that the alleged actions were part of a larger pattern. A single disagreement or transaction may be viewed differently from allegations involving repeated misrepresentations or coordinated misconduct over time.
The facts matter. Businesses should consider the nature of the conduct, the relationship between the parties and how the alleged actions occurred.
Business losses must be connected to the alleged conduct
Another issue is showing that the alleged misconduct directly caused business losses. Financial losses can happen for many reasons, including market changes, failed investments or other business challenges.
A civil RICO claim generally requires a direct link between the alleged misconduct and the business losses. Because these disputes often involve significant financial losses and complicated facts, they frequently become extended litigation.
What businesses should keep in mind
Civil RICO claims involve strict requirements that go beyond proving a business suffered financial harm. Businesses navigating a fraud-related dispute often benefit from closely examining whether the alleged conduct truly reflects a pattern connected to an enterprise, rather than an isolated business disagreement.]]>by Brent Blackstock PLC<![CDATA[Legal risks of buying property with oil and gas rights]]>https://www.brentblackstock.com/?p=475532026-08-19T08:32:48Z2026-07-08T21:03:42ZConfirm who owns the mineral rights before purchasing
A property may have oil and gas, but those rights may not be included in the sale. A past owner may still own the mineral rights and have the legal right to explore or produce them. A review of the chain of title and property deeds can show what rights the seller actually owns. An attorney can examine these records, identify ownership problems, explain their legal effect and help protect the property’s value before the purchase is complete.
What should buyers review beyond the property's title?
Many legal problems are found in the records, not on the property. Checking these records before closing can prevent expensive surprises later.
The most important records to review include:
Oil and gas leases: Find out if older leases are still in effect and give another party rights to the property.
Public records: Review Oklahoma Corporation Commission records, county records, well histories, permits and production reports for active or plugged wells, pooling orders, unpaid royalties or title concerns.
Environmental conditions: Check for abandoned wells or past drilling that could create cleanup costs or other legal concerns.
Reviewing these records with legal guidance before signing can uncover hidden risks, support informed decisions and help protect the investment.
Protect the purchase with strong contract terms and proper due diligence
A well-written contract can protect the investment before problems arise. It should clearly identify the mineral rights included, disclose any active leases and address title issues, liens, unpaid taxes or other legal claims that may affect the property.
The agreement should also include protections if ownership differs from what the seller promised or if hidden title defects appear after closing. A legal professional can review the contract, verify that it matches the title records and help strengthen its terms. Careful legal guidance throughout the process can also provide leverage to negotiate better terms or avoid signing if serious risks are found.
Value starts with clarity
Buying oil-rich property is often about purchasing legal rights as much as purchasing land. Understanding exactly what comes with the property before closing can help buyers avoid unexpected limitations, protect future opportunities and make more informed investment decisions.]]>On Behalf of Brent Blackstock PLC<![CDATA[How a company can enforce a restrictive covenant]]>https://www.brentblackstock.com/?p=475522026-06-30T01:17:45Z2026-06-30T01:17:45Zrestrictive covenants may avoid taking certain jobs, releasing non-public information or attempting to solicit customers for a different business. Businesses may have outside parties sign noncompete, nondisclosure or nonsolicitation agreements to protect the organization.
If an agreement is not enough of a deterrent to prevent misconduct, how can companies enforce restrictive covenants?
Filing a lawsuit may be necessary
Occasionally, sending formal notice about the violation of a restrictive covenant, possibly through a cease-and-desist letter, can be enough to halt unfair competition and other forms of misconduct. Other times, written notice alone does not stop a former employee or other outside party from continuing with questionable behaviors.
Filing a lawsuit requesting an injunction and possibly an award of damages is an appropriate response to a documented violation of a restrictive covenant. So long as there is evidence that one party made inappropriate disclosures, solicited former coworkers or clients, started a competing business or took a job with a direct competitor, it may be possible to uphold and enforce a restrictive covenant through business litigation.
A successful lawsuit can result in a court order prohibiting additional misconduct. The courts can also award financial damages in cases where the breach of a restrictive covenant has direct economic implications for a business.
Reviewing an original restrictive covenant and the alleged violation with a business litigation attorney can help executives and owners explore their options. While many contract enforcement lawsuits settle, filing a lawsuit is often necessary after the breach of a restrictive covenant.]]>On Behalf of Brent Blackstock PLC<![CDATA[What buyers should check before purchasing oil-rich land]]>https://www.brentblackstock.com/?p=475512026-08-19T08:32:36Z2026-06-28T15:53:25ZSay you’ve found a tract with real oil potential, priced to sell. It feels like a rare opportunity, maybe even a turning point. But the land on the surface and the minerals underneath, including oil and gas, may not belong to the same person. Before you picture royalty checks and long-term returns, pause and ask whether the seller actually owns the rights that make the land valuable.
Confirm what rights come with the sale
The seller may own the surface land but not all the mineral rights below it. Check the deed history to see whether a past owner kept those rights or sold them to someone else. In Texas, mineral owners may also have the right to use part of the surface to reach and produce oil or gas. That can affect what the land is worth and how you can use it after closing.
Search public records for wells and leases
Ownership is only half the story, as past leases and old well records may still affect the land. Texas buyers can search state well records, while Oklahoma buyers can check the Oklahoma Corporation Commission and county clerk records to uncover whether earlier activity still limits what you actually control.As you review these records, watch for these red flags and what they can mean:
Active or recently plugged wells: point to recent or ongoing production and potential lingering lease obligations or surface issues
Leases that appear to still be in effect: imply continued lease rights that may limit your control over mineral development
Pooling or unitization orders that include the tract: suggest that the land is part of a larger unit affecting royalty distribution and operational control
Permits issued to operators other than the seller: indicate that a third party may hold exploration or production rights
Gaps or inconsistencies in production history: hint at possible disputes over lease validity or expiration
Signs of unpaid royalties or suspended funds: reflect potential title issues or unresolved ownership or payment disputes
These records can show gaps, conflicts or overlapping claims that may lead to a dispute, even if no claim has been filed yet.
Build the risks into the contract
After you understand what the purchase includes, the contract should match those details. The agreement should clearly state which mineral rights the seller includes, disclose any existing leases and explain how those leases affect your use of the land.It should also address what happens if the mineral interest is smaller than represented or if a title issue appears after closing. Price adjustments, indemnity language and remedies for undisclosed claims can give you options before a disagreement becomes litigation. This is where legal review of a commercial land deal can help match the contract to the records.
Turn your findings into a decision before closing
The main benefit of these checks is leverage, but you hold it only until you sign the deal. After closing, gaps in the title or records may become yours to resolve. Before signing, you can still renegotiate the price, ask for better terms or walk away. Think of reviewing the title and records as the final step before committing, and let what you find guide your decision on whether this oil-rich land is truly a good opportunity.]]>On Behalf of Brent Blackstock PLC<![CDATA[Does an oil company owe a surface owner notice before drilling?]]>https://www.brentblackstock.com/?p=475492026-06-16T22:24:13Z2026-06-16T22:24:13ZThe law does not mandate notice
Many of the obligations that oil and gas companies have to landowners who sign leases stem not from the law but rather from lease paperwork. Currently, neither federal regulations nor state law in Texas overtly demand a specific amount of advance notice before drilling can take place on private property subject to a mineral lease.
Any notice requirements may come from contractual promises made to the property owner. Most oil and gas companies do not restrict their own operation by giving property owners the contractual right to weeks of notice and an opportunity to dispute the proposed drilling activities. Even so, providing written notice can limit the likelihood of the owner interfering with operations, possibly by denying access to the property.
Communication with property owners about changes in how an oil and gas company utilizes leased property can largely limit opportunities for conflict and litigation. Notifying an owner in writing of impending extraction activities can give them time to review the lease, learn about their rights and adjust to the idea of drilling and other commercial activities on their property.]]>On Behalf of Brent Blackstock PLC<![CDATA[How to avoid business partnership disputes]]>https://www.brentblackstock.com/?p=475472026-08-19T08:32:43Z2026-06-07T11:39:43Zavoid disputes under many circumstances, “simply” by behaving proactively.
Drafting a partnership agreement
Many conflicts between business partners occur because of a lack of a written partnership agreement.
It’s not uncommon for entrepreneurs passionate about a particular venture, who trust each other or are loved ones, to go into business together through a handshake. They skip drafting a contract that states ownership percentages, the responsibilities of each, how they will make business decisions or how one can exit the partnership. They simply start a business.
Then, down the line, one partner starts to feel like they are doing most of the work while receiving equal financial distribution, and the other feels like crucial decisions are made without their consent, resulting in conflicts.
In some cases, partners may have an agreement, but it’s not clear. It does not clearly assign responsibilities, specify how each partner should be paid, state how much should be reivested, give an outline for decision-making or provide an exit strategy. A vague contract can lead to misinterpretations and eventually disputes.
Drafting a legally binding, clear partnership agreement can significantly prevent disputes.
Communicating effectively
Having regular meetings that encourage open communication can help to better ensure that business partners stay on the same page. Differing expectations and minor misunderstandings can easily be resolved through effective communication. It also helps to address issues as early as possible to prevent them from escalating to major conflicts.
Disputes in a business partnership can often be prevented. Obtain more information by seeking personalized legal guidance, to better understand how you and your partner can protect and grow the business.]]>On Behalf of Brent Blackstock PLC<![CDATA[Could your employees lead you into an IP dispute?]]>https://www.brentblackstock.com/?p=475452026-05-26T02:44:11Z2026-05-26T02:38:18Z Intellectual property woes can happen to a business from an unlikely source: their own employees may misuse intellectual property that…]]> If they were privy to intellectual property at their old firm, there is a chance they might bring some of it into their work with you.This does not have to be deliberate. They do not have to set out to steal from their old employer, and sometimes it can be hard to remember where they learned a particular thing or first saw a particular idea. It might even have been they who originally came up with the IP while they were working for that other business.Still, if their former employer considers that intellectual property valuable, they may well move to challenge your use of it, especially if they have already put legal protections in place on it.
Freely taking from elsewhere
Another way that employees can land their employers in an intellectual property dispute is simply taking things they find on the internet. Many an employee, tasked with writing a blog, populating the website with images or setting something to music, has scoured the internet for material and downloaded it without ever getting permission. Sometimes that is allowable, but sometimes it is not, and the owner may be keenly watching for anyone using their material without their permission.Even though these breaches might be entirely your employees’ doing, your company could be held liable for their actions. While you can reduce the risk of such problems by having clear policies on intellectual property use that you ensure all employees are aware of and understand, things can slip through. If you find yourself on the end of a complaint or litigation, it’s best to seek legal guidance to resolve the matter.]]>