James R. Neal heads the firm’s Oil, Gas and Natural Resources Law Department.  A Martindale-Hubbell “AV” Rated Attorney, he has for many years been listed in the Best Lawyers in America, for practice in the areas of oil, gas, energy, and natural resources. He was also named Best Lawyers’ 2014 Lansing Natural Resources Law Lawyer of the Year. Mr. Neal joined the Loomis Law Firm in 1974 as an associate attorney.  He became a shareholder in 1981.

Mr. Neal is a past president of the R.E. Olds Transportation Museum and former board member.  In 2000, he received the W. Richard Neller Service Award.  He is a charter member and past president of the Red Cedar Lions Club.

Practice Areas:

• Administrative Law
• Energy, Telecommunications & Public Utilities
• Oil, Gas and Natural Resources Law
• Natural Gas Storage
• Natural Gas Transportation
• Condemnation Law

Professional Memberships:

• Member, past Chairman, of the Oil and Gas Law Committee of the State Bar of Michigan
• Member, Michigan Oil & Gas Association
• Member, Legal and Legislative Committee, Michigan Oil & Gas Association
• Member, Michigan Basin Geological Society
• Member, Michigan Association of Petroleum Landmen
• Member, American Bar Association
• Member, State Bar of Michigan
• Member, Ingham County Bar Association

Recognition & Public Service:

Author:

• “Compulsory Pooling Promotes Conservation of Michigan’s Oil and Gas Natural Resources,” Michigan Bar Journal, February, 1999
• “Michigan’s Dormant Minerals Act: Background and Application,” Michigan Oil and Gas News, February 26, 1982; March 5, 1982

Presenter:

• Michigan Association of Professional Landmen, Seminars
• “Post Production Costs: The Oil and Gas Lease and Special Lease Provisions,” September 12, 1996
• “The Dormant Minerals Act, Suggested Applications,” September 23, 1982
• “The Role of the Landman in Act 197 Unitization,” September 20, 1984
• “Michigan Dormant Minerals Act,” October 17, 1988
• “Recent Developments in Michigan Oil & Gas Law and Regulations,” September 16, 1993
• “Michigan Oil and Gas Law: Practice Issues and Answers, Spacing and Pooling,” State Bar of Michigan, Real Property Law Section, Seminar, June 29, 1995
• “Current Oil and Gas Issue,” Twenty First Annual Summer Conference , State Bar of Michigan Real Property Law Section, July 27, 1996

Education:

• University of Detroit Law School, J.D., 1974
• Articles Editor of the Journal of Urban Law
• Michigan State University, B.A., 1971