Corey Wehmeyer, Managing Shareholder, Santoyo Wehmeyer PC
In an interview with Invest:, Corey Wehmeyer, managing shareholder at Santoyo Wehmeyer PC, emphasized the legal firm’s deep-rooted specialization in oil and gas law and its strategic presence in Texas’s energy corridor. “First, we’re the only firm in Texas that exclusively represents oil and gas operators, which has made us true subject matter experts,” he said. “Second, while traditional commercial litigation has seen a decline in jury trials, we continue to take cases to trial regularly.”
What makes San Antonio a strategic location for your firm?
Our firm has the highest number of board-certified oil and gas attorneys in Texas. We have offices strategically located in Midland and Houston, with our headquarters in San Antonio. Since we serve exclusively oil and gas operators, it’s crucial for us to be physically near the areas where oil and gas development occurs. San Antonio is near the Eagle Ford Shale, which lies south of the city and spans surrounding counties. We also have a strong focus on the Permian Basin and several producing counties situated between San Antonio and Houston. Being located close to these key areas ensures we remain accessible and responsive to our clients’ needs. San Antonio is especially well-positioned for this, given its proximity to major resource hubs like the Eagle Ford Shale.
From a legal and transactional standpoint, what makes San Antonio an ideal place for businesses to operate and invest in?
San Antonio offers a lower-cost business environment when compared to cities like Dallas, Houston, and Austin. This translates to lower overhead, which allows us to deliver exceptional value to our clients without compromising the sophistication of our legal services. Despite the lower cost, our clients still receive the same high-quality legal counsel they would expect in any major business center.
Reflecting on the past year, what have been some of the key milestones or achievements for Santoyo Wehmeyer PC?
There has been significant consolidation within the oil and gas industry, with major acquisitions by publicly traded companies, such as Exxon, Chevron, and Diamondback. On our end, we’ve successfully taken several cases to jury trial on behalf of our oil and gas clients, many of which have received statewide media coverage. Our transactional group has also experienced one of its busiest years to date, spurred by increased drilling activity under the new Republican administration. With about 30 attorneys at our firm, we’re evenly split between litigation and transactional services. Over our 10-plus-year history, this past year has seen the highest volume of work on both sides of our practice.
What has contributed to your success in high-stakes litigation cases, particularly in complex energy disputes?
It’s a combination of two main factors. First, we’re the only firm in Texas that exclusively represents oil and gas operators, which has made us true subject matter experts. Second, while traditional commercial litigation has seen a decline in jury trials, we continue to take cases to trial regularly. This experience gives us a strategic advantage—we know how to develop cases thoroughly, build them out, and present them persuasively to a jury. Our approach focuses on clarity and emotional resonance, ensuring jurors not only understand the facts but also connect with the narrative. That’s an edge few firms can claim in today’s legal landscape.
Amid growing interest in renewable energy, how is the firm adapting to challenges related to wind, solar, and associated land use or property rights?
While our primary focus remains oil and gas, we’ve also been involved in renewables to some extent. Last year, we handled the first-ever jury trial in Texas concerning wind rights. We successfully represented a client in a case involving trespassing and valuing stolen wind rights. Although renewable energy is seeing some policy setbacks under the current administration, we’re proud to have led the way in establishing legal precedent in that area. Nevertheless, oil and gas drilling and development remain our central mission.
When it comes to talent, especially within the legal sector, how are you finding the local labor pool for oil and gas experts?
Over the last two years, salaries and professional costs have risen considerably, both for attorneys and support staff. Despite this, San Antonio has been relatively insulated from the inflationary pressures felt in places like Austin, Dallas, and Houston. This allows us to maintain lower overhead and remain competitive. Additionally, San Antonio offers advantages like less traffic and better schools, which help us attract young professionals looking for both a quality of life and meaningful work. The city’s lower cost of living, paired with sophisticated legal work, makes it an attractive option for new talent.
How are you leveraging technology to improve legal services, client experience, and internal operations?
AI is increasingly integrated into legal services, particularly through the research platforms to which we subscribe. These platforms now feature advanced AI capabilities that help us complete legal research and draft routine motions more efficiently. This translates to lower costs for clients and allows us to deliver high-quality work faster. We’re committed to using these tools to enhance both client value and internal productivity.
Can you share some of your recent initiatives or efforts to give back locally?
We’re active in providing pro bono legal services. Whether it’s helping someone wrongfully sued or preparing wills and probate documents for those who can’t afford legal representation, we make sure our expertise is available to those in need. We see this as a vital part of our responsibility to the community.
How do you see the legal landscape evolving in Texas, especially for oil and gas?
Oil prices have been declining due to tariffs and other economic pressures, making cost efficiency more important than ever for our clients. Our firm is uniquely positioned to meet that demand thanks to our location in San Antonio, which keeps overhead low, and our exclusive focus on oil and gas, which provides deep subject matter expertise. Clients don’t need to bring us up to speed; we already understand their business inside and out, allowing us to deliver more efficient and effective representation.
Looking ahead, what are your firm’s top priorities over the next two to three years?
We’ve never grown just for the sake of growth. Any expansion has always been to better serve our clients. As our clients grow, we grow with them. Our main priority is continuing to identify, mentor, and develop top legal talent, particularly young attorneys who are well-suited to our practice and values. We foresee strong continued demand for oil and gas services in Texas, especially given the state’s favorable regulatory environment. It’s critical we have the right human resources, both at the attorney and staff levels, to meet that demand. That includes recruiting through internships, clerkships, and campus interviews, as well as attracting experienced attorneys who are seeking a more nimble, boutique firm environment.
We feel fortunate to be operating in Texas, a state that is legislatively and regulatorily supportive of oil and gas. The alignment between available resources, favorable laws, and government support makes Texas the ideal place for our practice. We’re grateful to be situated here and to do the work that we do.
