History

Seminal Players in New Mexico Oil and Gas Law

The firm has a long and distinguished legal history, tracing its roots to 1888 when Granville A. Richardson opened the first law office in Roswell in the Pecos Valley of the Territory of New Mexico.

A partnership was formed in 1902 when W.C. Reid and James M. Hervey joined Richardson. Both Reid and Hervey served as Attorneys General of the Territory of New Mexico during the early days of the partnership. As Attorney General, Hervey was involved in investigating the murder of Pat Garrett, the famous sheriff of Lincoln County who allegedly shot and killed William Bonney (Billy the Kid) in Fort Sumner.

Richardson, Reid & Hervey opened a second office in Albuquerque with Capt. Reid (as he was known after his service in the Spanish-American War) undertaking representation of the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway as its solicitor. The formal relationship between the Albuquerque and Roswell offices terminated amicably in 1926, with the Albuquerque location subsequently emerging as the successful firm of Reid & Iden, later Iden & Johnson, and eventually Iden, Johnson & Lanphere.

Oil Boom, Firm Expansion

The year 1926 was pivotal for both the firm and the region. The first oil boom in southeastern New Mexico, with both oil and gas discoveries, brought people and prosperity to the region and to the firm. Hiram C. Dow and Curtis H. Hill joined Hervey as partners in the Roswell firm in 1926, practicing under the firm name, Hervey, Dow & Hill.

Hervey, Dow & Hill solidified its reputation in the 1930s and 1940s. Hiram Dow was instrumental in the drafting and the passage of New Mexico's oil conservation legislation and the federal act establishing the Interstate Oil Compact Commission, on which he represented New Mexico for over 20 years. His service to the Permian Basin oil industry was recognized in 1969 by his induction into the Permian Basin Petroleum Museum Hall of Fame.

Clarence E. Hinkle, who joined the firm as a partner in 1928, authored New Mexico's Oil and Gas Leasing Act and the Artesian Conservancy District Act while serving in the state legislature. More than sixty years later, both of these major natural resources legislative acts remain in effect. Hinkle was one of the country's foremost experts on the Mineral Leasing Act of 1920, which governs the leasing of oil, gas, coal and other minerals owned by the United States. Because of his expertise, Hinkle was asked to assist in drafting Alaska's oil and gas leasing statutes. He also served as a member of the Advisory Council of the Public Land Law Review Commission. We are pleased that the Hinkle name remains a part of our firm today.

A surge in oil field activity in the 1950s resulted in further growth to the firm. An office was opened in Midland, Texas, in the 1960s to accommodate the firm's numerous oil company clients in that city.

The firm experienced rapid growth during the mid-1970s and 1980s, substantially broadening its areas of practice and positioning it for the challenges of the last decade of the century. An additional New Mexico office was opened in Santa Fe in the mid 1980s.

Continuing Leadership

The firm has played a vital role in New Mexico's history. Its attorneys have served as:

• Delegates to both Constitutional Conventions;
• Elected officers of state and local governmental bodies;
• Justices or judges on the United States District and Circuit Courts, the New Mexico Supreme Court, the New Mexico Court of Appeals, and various Texas and New Mexico state trial courts;
• Presidents or members of university and college boards of regents, and municipal school boards; and
• Leaders to state and local bar associations and foundations, and have been active in state and national professional groups.

During its long history, the firm has conducted its legal practice under the following names:

• Granville A. Richardson 1888 - 1902
• Richardson, Reid & Hervey 1902 - 1913
• Reid & Hervey 1913 - 1923
• Reid, Hervey, Dow & Hill 1923 - 1926
• Hervey, Dow & Hill 1926 - 1928
• Hervey, Dow, Hill & Hinkle 1928 - 1945
• Hervey, Dow & Hinkle 1945 - 1964
• Hinkle, Bondurant, Bratton & Christy 1964 - 1964
• Hinkle, Bondurant & Christy 1964 - 1970
• Hinkle, Bondurant, Cox & Eaton 1970 - 1978
• Hinkle, Cox, Eaton, Coffield & Hensley 1978 - 2000
• Hinkle, Hensley, Shanor & Martin, L.L.P. 2000 - Present