The law firm of Thompson & Knight LLP is pleased to announce that Gary D. Compton has joined the Firm’s Austin office as a member of the Firm’s Oil and Gas Practice Group.

Mr. Compton has 30 years of experience in regulatory and legislative matters. He represents corporations, major utilities, pipelines, oil and gas producers, and alternative and renewable energy companies. He has representative experience with administrative and regulatory matters as well as government affairs. He was named to The Best Lawyers in America® by Woodward/White Inc. in 2012.

“We are thrilled to have Gary join our Austin office and augment our oil and gas and regulatory practice,” says Arthur J. Wright, the Firm’s Oil and Gas Practice Group Leader. “His regulatory and government affairs expertise and depth of experience in the oil and gas industry will be of great value to our clients and further strengthen our capabilities.”

Mr. Compton’s experience includes serving as Special Counsel to the Texas Railroad Commission, including participation on the Special Advisory Council for the Blue Ribbon Natural Gas Rules Committee and acting as Special General Counsel to the Chairman’s Committee on Natural Gas Marketing. He was appointed by three different Texas governors, including former Governor Bush, to serve on the Interstate Oil & Gas Compact Commission and Chairman of the Texas Youth Commission. He is a former Board Council Member for the Texas Health and Human Services Commission. He also participated in the White House Intern Program in 1967 under President Lyndon B. Johnson.

He has practiced before the U.S. Congress, White House, Texas Legislature, Texas Railroad Commission, Texas Public Utility Commission, Texas General Land Office, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, Comptroller of Public Accountants, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, Department of Energy, Department of Interior, and various other regulatory agencies and state legislatures throughout the southwest.

Mr. Compton received his J.D. from Baylor Law School in 1971. He is a former President of the Baylor Law Alumni Association.