For over 30 years, Paula K. Manis, has successfully and continuously maintained a diverse oil and gas practice. Starting out as a field landman for Amoco in Michigan, Ms. Manis has worked within and on the side of the oil and gas industry her entire legal career.
Licensed to practice law in Michigan, Ohio and Illinois, Ms. Manis counsels multiple major and independent oil and gas companies on a daily basis, in all aspects of oil and gas matters, from upstream to downstream. She is experienced in pulling together sophisticated joint ventures and drilling programs, negotiating and drafting purchase and sale contracts, exploration agreements, JOAs and other industry-related contracts. She has extensive experience in acquisitions and divestures, including negotiating and drafting letters of intent and buy-sell agreements, as well as working closely with clients through the entire due diligence process.
She is thorough and efficient at researching, drafting and reviewing title opinions, thus protecting her clients from developing or investing in wells, or projects with uncommitted interests, and preventing future lawsuits caused by careless or non-existent title work. Over the course of her long career, Ms. Manis has rendered more than a thousand acquisitions, drilling, division order, and financing transaction title opinions.
Being part of the Loomis team allows Ms. Manis to work closely with other members of the Oil and Gas Group and other practice groups within the Firm so that her clients receive not only quality, industry-specific representation but, if needed, representation in other areas, such as regulatory matters, environmental, securities, and taxation.
Having experienced the cyclical nature of the industry, Ms. Manis understands and appreciates the many and complex challenges that face her clients, and brings a common-sense, business approach to the legal services she provides. Always mindful of the "big picture", she strives to provide her clients with practical, comprehensive legal services at a competitive rate. She credits this approach for her success in establishing long-term relationships with several industry clients in the Mid-West Region.
Ms. Manis is also experienced in alternative dispute resolution, serving as both a mediator/facilitator and arbitrator for over 13 years. She has given several presentations on mediation matters. She has conducted approximately 1,500 mediations in Michigan and New York involving all types of civil matters including, but not limited to: oil and gas related matters, federal crop insurance matters, medical malpractice, legal malpractice, no-fault, probate matters, discrimination and has served on arbitration panels in Michigan and New York.
- The Best Lawyers in America Award for Arbitration, Mediation and Oil and Gas Law--2015
- The Best Lawyers in America Award for Oil and Gas and Alternative Dispute Resolution--2014
- Lawyer of the Year for Mediation in the Lansing Area by The Best Lawyers--2014
- Bar Register of Preeminent Women Lawyers by LexisNexis/Martindale-Hubbell--2013
- The Best Lawyers in America Award for Oil and Gas and Alternative Dispute Resolution--2013
- Lawyer of the Year for Arbitration in the Lansing Area by the Best Lawyers--2012
- The Best Lawyers in America Award for Oil and Gas and Alternative Dispute Resolution--2012
- Top Lawyers by the American Lawyer--2011
- The Best Lawyers in America Award for Oil and Gas and Alternative Dispute Resolution--2011
- The Best Lawyers in America Award for Oil and Gas and Alternative Dispute Resolution--2010
- The Best Lawyers in America Award for Oil and Gas and Alternative Dispute Resolution--2009
- The Best Lawyers in America Award for Oil and Gas--2008
- Mediator of the Year Award-Dispute Resolution Center of Central Michigan--2002
Lansing, Michigan 48933
