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KATHERINE W. STRANGE
Associate

Katherine Strange has been practicing law since 2003. Born and raised in Weatherford, Texas, Katherine graduated from Colgate University in 2001 with a B.A. in Geology, and then received a J.D. from the University of Houston Law Center in 2003. In 2004, Katherine became an assistant district attorney with the Bexar County District Attorney's Office in San Antonio. Katherine moved to Houston in 2005 and worked as a petroleum landman for Griffith Land Services, Inc. and also served as legal counsel for MKS Natural Gas. Katherine joined WattBeckworth in February of 2007.

Katherine's practice is concentrated on oil and gas matters. She has also handled a number of civil litigation matters, including complex business litigation, employment matters, and financial services litigation, as well as arbitrations before the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority.

EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND

  • 2003 - J.D., University of Houston Law School
  • 2001 - B.A. (Geology), Colgate University

Katherine was admitted to practice in Texas in 2004. She is also admitted to the Southern District of Texas, the Western District of Texas and the Southern Bankruptcy District of Texas.

REPRESENTATIVE EXPERIENCE

Oil & Gas

  • Representation of oil and gas company in defense of fraud, bad faith pooling and breach of contract claims
  • Representation of numerous landowners in oil and gas lease negotiations
  • Representation of landowners against operator for breaches of joint operating agreements and oil and gas leases
  • Representation of exploration company in trade secret misappropriation case
  • Representation of pipeline company against propane purchaser for breach of contract
  • Representation of oil and gas exploration and production company in title dispute
  • Representation of operator in lawsuit against drilling contractor for damages caused by well blow out
  • Representation of well operator against working interest owners for unpaid joint interest billing invoices
  • Representation of working interest owner against operator for breaches of joint operating agreement
  • Representation of large energy company against operator for breach of farmout agreement
  • Representation of nonprofit corporation in oil and gas lease negotiations
  • Representation of landowners in suit to quiet title

Business Litigation

  • Representation of commercial real estate brokers in dispute over unpaid commissions
  • Representation of homeowners association in dispute with property management company
  • Representation of individual in dispute with contractor for breach of warranty and breach of contract claims related to home construction
  • Representation of financial investment company in arbitration involving unpaid commissions
  • Representation of employee against claim by employer of violation of covenant not to compete
  • Representation of public entity in wrongful discharge, defamation and whistleblower claims

Tort Litigation

  • Representation of employee in sexual harassment claim against former employer
  • Representation of employer against sexual harassment claim made by former employee

Financial Services Litigation

  • Representation of a number of financial services institutions in FINRA arbitration
  • Representation of a number of financial services institutions in trade secret misappropriation cases
  • Representation of financial services institution in corporation raiding arbitration
  • Representation of financial services institutions against former employees for breach of employment agreement

SPEECHES & ARTICLES

  • The Legal Principles Affecting Contractual Liabilities When Oil & Gas Properties are Assigned: does Seagull Energy E&P, Inc. v. Eland Energy, Inc. reflect the common law?, published in the September 2007 State Bar of Texas Oil, Gas and Energy Resources Law Section Report

PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS & MEMBERSHIPS

  • Texas Bar Association
  • Member, Oil & Gas Section of the State Bar of Texas
  • Houston Bar Association
  • Houston Young Lawyers Association
  • Geological Society of America

INTERESTS

Katherine enjoys any activity that involves her husband and two daughters, and is particularly fond of running, bird hunting and fishing in South Texas. Katherine is married to a Major in the United States Marine Corps, and together they share a passion for organizations that assist wounded Marines and other veterans.

CIVIC INVOLVEMENT

  • Young Life
  • Star of Hope
  • Chapelwood United Methodist Church
  • Combat Marine Outdoors

Katherine W. Strange
kstrange@wattbeckworth.com
D: +1 713.333.9122

1800 Pennzoil Place
South Tower
711 Louisiana Street
Houston, TX 77002
T: +1 713.650.8100
F: +1 713.650.8141

Practice Areas
Oil and Gas
Business Litigation
Tort Litigation
Financial Services Litigation