A.D. (Dean) Chapman

Practice Areas
Of Counsel:  Oil & Gas Title Opinions, Real Estate

Professional Experience
Dean Chapman was admitted to the State Bar of Texas in 1964.  He was also admitted to practice before U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Texas in 1964.  Mr. Chapman was formerly a title attorney for Mobil Oil Corporation, Midland, Texas and Houston, Texas (1964-1973).  Thereafter, Mr. Chapman was in the private practice of general oil and gas law in Tyler, Texas (1973-1997), including title examination from abstracts and county records; preparing farm-out agreements, assignments and all other documents of conveyance, before becoming “Of Counsel” to the Firm in June, 1997. 

While with Mobil Oil Corporation, Mr. Chapman served as Property Acquisition Specialist, responsible for contacting companies for farm-in of their exploration acreage and for purchasing their producing properties.  He toured the eastern seaboard of the United States from Maine to Georgia to learn the laws of each state for obtaining off-shore oil and gas lease purchases.

While at Midland, Mr. Chapman served as a lobbyist for the company in the State of New Mexico.  His close contact with the governor and oil and gas regulatory bodies, along with his attendance at sessions of the legislature kept him abreast of any proposed bills adverse to the oil and gas industry.

Educational Background
After serving as a Battalion Sergeant Major of the Army Ground Forces during World War II, Mr. Chapman received Associates of Arts degree from Tyler Junior College.   He went on to earn a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from Baylor University and a Juris Doctor degree from South Texas College of Law while working full time as a landman for Mobil Oil Company.

Professional Organizations
Mr. Chapman is a member of the State Bar of Texas (Section member, Oil, Gas and Mineral Law; Real Estate, Probate and Trust Law); Smith County Bar Association; East Texas Association of Petroleum Landmen and American Association of Professional Landmen.   He has served as a director of the Smith County Bar Association, is past Chairman of the Smith County Welfare Board, past president of the Tyler Petroleum Club and past president of the East Texas Association of Petroleum Landmen.

Personal Information
A Dean Chapman was born in Tyler, Texas on August 11, 1925.