William M. Kerr, Jr.
Top rated Energy & Natural Resources attorney in Austin, Texas
Kelly Hart & Hallman LLP
Practice areas: Energy & Natural Resources, Business & Corporate
Licensed in Texas since: 1982
Education: The University of Texas School of Law
Selected to Super Lawyers: 2025 - 2026 Kelly Hart & Hallman LLP
303 Colorado StreetSuite 2000
Austin, TX 78701 Phone: 512-495-6421 Email: William M. Kerr, Jr. Visit website
William M. Kerr, Jr. has more than three decades of experience in commercial transactions, with particular emphasis on acquisitions, financings, and divestitures of oil and gas-related concerns. He is a graduate of Washington and Lee University, where he received his Bachelor of Arts degree, cum laude, in 1979, as well as of the University of Texas School of Law, where he received his juris doctor, with honors, in 1981.
Mr. Kerr is a fourth-generation Texas lawyer who practiced for many years in Midland, Texas, prior to joining the Austin office of this firm in 2005. His business practice includes extensive international experience in North America, South America, and Europe. Mr. Kerr represents clients ranging from individual investors to mid-size independents to major corporations.
First Admitted: 1982, Texas
Professional Webpage: https://www.kellyhart.com/attorney/William-M-Kerr-Jr
Bar / Professional Activity
- American Bar Association
- Institute for Energy Law Advisory Board Member, 2017-2025
- Texas Bar Foundation, Fellow
- Austin Bar Association
Verdicts / Settlements (Case Results)
- Served as lead counsel to a client in a series of divestitures of Permian Basin oil and gas assets aggregating $500 million
- Served as lead counsel to group of over 100 sellers in $600 million divestiture of oil and gas assets
Transactions
- Represented E&P company in divestitures totaling in excess of $700 million
- Represented client in private equity raises totaling in excess of $750 million
- Represented a domestic oil and gas service company in a series of corporate and asset acquisitions aggregating in excess of $75 million
- Represented a US-based company in connection with its acquisition, equity financing, and divestiture of Italian/Sicilian E&P concerns
- Represented a client in a series of acquisitions of salt water disposal facilities aggregating in excess of $100 million
Educational Background
- Washington and Lee University, B.A., cum laude, 1979, 1975-1979
Honors
- Best Lawyers in America®, 2013-2025 Energy Law Natural Resources Law , Best Lawyers in America®, Best Lawyers in America®
- Best Lawyers® "Lawyer of the Year" Austin, U.S. News & World ReportEnergy Law, 2022 Natural Resources Law, 2021 , Best Lawyers® "Lawyer of the Year" Austin, U.S. News & World Report
- Named Top Austin Attorney, Austin Monthly, 2019, Top Attorney Austin, Austin Monthly
Office location for William M. Kerr, Jr.
303 Colorado Street
Suite 2000
Austin, TX 78701
Selections
- Super Lawyers: 2025 - 2026