Overview

John C. Moricoli, Jr.’s, entire legal career has focused on oil, gas and energy law, with an emphasis on oil and gas regulatory matters before the Oklahoma Corporation Commission. He has also regularly practiced in oil and gas litigation matters, mineral title examination, and oil and gas transactional matters. Moricoli has participated in over 25 published appellate decisions, many of them on matters of first impression in the state of Oklahoma.

Moricoli was awarded the 2019 Eugene Kuntz Award by the University of Oklahoma College of Law in recognition of his distinguished career in the energy industry. He has also been consistently recognized in Best Lawyers in the area of Energy Law since the publication’s inception.

Moricoli graduated from the University of Oklahoma College of Law in 1974 and began his legal career with the Oklahoma City firm of Watson, McKenzie, Miller and Dunlevy, which later became Watson, McKenzie and Moricoli. In 1983, he founded the law firm of Moricoli, Wilson, Harris and Duberstein – now Moricoli Kellogg & Gleason – where he has since practiced.

Prior to attending law school, Moricoli graduated from the New Mexico Military Institute in 1963. He then attended undergraduate at the University of Oklahoma, where he graduated in 1968 with a B.S. in mechanical engineering. After undergraduate, he enlisted as a commissioned officer in the U.S. Army, where he served on active duty until 1971 – serving in the Vietnam War and earning the rank of Captain.

Overview

The firm’s founder, John C. Moricoli, Jr., heads our oil and gas practice. Mr. Moricoli has has extensive experience before the Oklahoma Corporation Commission, the regulatory agency for the oil and gas industry in the State of Oklahoma. Our clients benefit from his 42 years of experience and his ability to resolve issues.

Notable Cases

• Beren v. Harper Oil Co., 1975 OK CIV APP 49, 546 P.2d 1356.
• Tenneco Oil Co. v. Elynnwood Supply Co., 431 F. Supp. 104 (W.D. Okla. 1977).
• Brooks Hall Corp. v. Seay, 1977 OK 212, 571 P.2d 462.
• Storck v. Cities Serv. Gas Co., 1977 OK 227, 575 P.2d 1364.
• Storck v. Cities Serv. Gas Co., 1981 OK CIV APP 33, 634 P.2d 1319.
• Independent Gas & Oil Producers, Inc. v. Union Oil Co., 669 F.2d 624 (10th Cir. Okla. 1982).
• Brown Oil Co. v. Shipley, 1984 OK CIV APP 32, 706 P.2d 173.
• Davis Oil Co. v. Cloud, 1986 OK 73, 766 P.2d 1347, 738 P.2d 137.
• Hininger v. Kaiser, 1987 OK 26, 738 P.2d 137.
• H & L Operating Co. v. Marlin Oil Corp., 1987 OK 39, 737 P.2d 565.
• Apache Corp. v. State ex rel. Comm'rs of the Land Office, 1992 OK CIV APP 67, 845 P.2d 1281.
• Anson Corp. v. Hill, 1992 OK 138, 841 P.2d 583.
• Chesapeake Operating, Inc. v. Burlington Res. Oil & Gas Co., 2002 OK CIV APP 125, 60 P.3d 1052.

Awards and Honors

• AV® Preeminent™ Peer Review Rated by Martindale-Hubbell®

Education

• University of Oklahoma, J.D., 1974
• University of Oklahoma, B.S.M.E., 1968

Professional memberships

• Oklahoma Bar Association
• American Bar Association

Special agencies

• Oklahoma Corporation Commission

Military Experience

• Captain, U.S. Army, Active Duty, 1968 – 1971

Biography

• Born in Fort Worth, Texas
• Phi Delta Phi