Rhodes Hamilton's guest appearances

Rhodes Hamilton

Lone Star Lawyers

Jason Scott

Erin Brockovich

Andy Jones

Brandon Waddell

Stephanie Curtis

Caroline Harrison

Amanda Taylor

Brandon Lewis

Jennifer King

Will Thomas

Anna Greenberg

Alex Bell

Josh White

Brian Lopez

Matthew Myers

OwlTail

Rhodes Hamilton, founder and partner at Hamilton &amp; Squibb in Dallas, joins us on today's show. Rhodes talks about launching your own law firm, COVID's impact on the energy sector, the importance of making progress, and demonstrating interest in the job you want.His firm/practiceDallas and Fort Worth officesOil/gas transactional boutique; midstream/upstream10 total lawyersHe didn't even take oil/gas in law school!Oil boom was coming right as he was leaving law school in 2005; Barnett Shale in Tarrant CountyAfter just three years saw the the opportunity to launch his own practiceEasiest hard decision he's ever hadMortgage, car payment, first kid on the wayBut saw the opportunityCOVID-19 Update (as of December 3, 2020)In April, oil prices went negative!O/G companies have generally been contracting; not a lot of transactional work happening; plenty of bankruptcyThey are back in the office; gave people the option after the stay-at-home order expired80% of work happening in the office; still 20% or so from homeHad to put a lot of client communication on calls/Zoom/Microsoft Teams; but that is really hard because in their business much of the business development happens face-to-face2021 should be bettersome consolidation of clients that will be sorted outCommodity pricing is on its way upAdvice for lawyers in practiceBe flexible; willing to do what is neededYou always have to be developing business; can't be reliant on just a few clients...what if they leave? Don't be short-sighted.Could mean writing, speaking, anything...Even young lawyers/associates need to get out; be the firm's presence at activities/events that nobody else wants to go toAlways be making progress. Listen, learn, improve.In a small firm, each associate is, by percentage, a much larger part of the firm than at larger firms, so each individual's development is critical to the firm's successDon't take things for granted; apply yourself; commit and jump in with both feetRe: work/life balance:show a willingness to get the job done firstif that is happening and you want to take a Friday off or adjust the schedule, etc., then great!Advice for lawyers who are job seekingDon't have to be at the top of the class for themShow interest in oil/gasclerkship/internship?industry groups?Fit is really important with a small firm, and that's hard to pin downFor those wanting to transition to oil/gas from another area:get involved in a trade group/organizationstate bar section for oil/gasyou have to show your genuine interestThe firm can teach some of the oil/gas specifics if the desire to learn is thereFinal thought:Get into something else aside your law practice (pro bono, side hustle, hobby); be well-roundedRapid fire questions:Name the one trait/characteristic you most want to see in an associate: willingnessWhat habit has been key to your success: Be in front of trends; anticipateFavorite app/productivity tool: Microsoft TeamsFavorite social distancing activity: Outside/fishingFavorite legal movie: The FirmThanks again to Rhodes Hamilton for coming on the show!

Rhodes Hamilton, founder and partner at Hamilton &amp; Squibb in Dallas, joins us on today's show. Rhodes talks about launching your own law firm, COVID's impact on the energy sector, the importance of making progress, and demonstrating interest in the job you want. His firm/practice Dallas and Fort Worth offices Oil/gas transactional boutique; midstream/upstream 10 total lawyers He didn't even take oil/gas in law school! Oil boom was coming right as he was leaving law school in 2005; Barnett Shale in Tarrant County After just three years saw the the opportunity to launch his own practice Easiest hard decision he's ever had Mortgage, car payment, first kid on the way But saw the opportunity COVID-19 Update (as of December 3, 2020) In April, oil prices went negative! O/G companies have generally been contracting; not a lot of transactional work happening; plenty of bankruptcy They are back in the office; gave people the option after the stay-at-home order expired 80% of work happening in the office; still 20% or so from home Had to put a lot of client communication on calls/Zoom/Microsoft Teams; but that is really hard because in their business much of the business development happens face-to-face 2021 should be better some consolidation of clients that will be sorted out Commodity pricing is on its way up Advice for lawyers in practice Be flexible; willing to do what is needed You always have to be developing business; can't be reliant on just a few clients...what if they leave? Don't be short-sighted. Could mean writing, speaking, anything... Even young lawyers/associates need to get out; be the firm's presence at activities/events that nobody else wants to go to Always be making progress. Listen, learn, improve. In a small firm, each associate is, by percentage, a much larger part of the firm than at larger firms, so each individual's development is critical to the firm's success Don't take things for granted; apply yourself; commit and jump in with both feet Re: work/life balance: show a willingness to get the job done first if that is happening and you want to take a Friday off or adjust the schedule, etc., then great! Advice for lawyers who are job seeking Don't have to be at the top of the class for them Show interest in oil/gas clerkship/internship? industry groups? Fit is really important with a small firm, and that's hard to pin down For those wanting to transition to oil/gas from another area: get involved in a trade group/organization state bar section for oil/gas you have to show your genuine interest The firm can teach some of the oil/gas specifics if the desire to learn is there Final thought: Get into something else aside your law practice (pro bono, side hustle, hobby); be well-rounded Rapid fire questions: Name the one trait/characteristic you most want to see in an associate: willingness What habit has been key to your success: Be in front of trends; anticipate Favorite app/productivity tool: Microsoft Teams Favorite social distancing activity: Outside/fishing Favorite legal movie: The Firm Thanks again to Rhodes Hamilton for coming on the show!

Monday Mentors with Dallas Oil and Gas Lawyer Rhodes Hamilton