David Patton is a partner in Locke Lord's Houston office and co-chair of the firm's Energy Practice Group. He joined Liddell Sapp Zivley and Brown in 1977 as the 26th lawyer in the firm. Patton has over 40 years of experience in various legal aspects of the oil and gas industry. He is a frequent speaker on oil and gas issues and is active in the Rocky Mountain Mineral Law Foundation and the State Bar of Texas.

What is the biggest change you have seen in the profession during your career?

The biggest change I have seen over four decades is the movement of lawyers between firms and the shift from institutional firm clients to clients choosing individual lawyers rather than firms themselves. When I was a young lawyer it was rare for a big firm lawyer to move laterally except in unique circumstances. It was considered bad form to solicit a lawyer away from a competitor. Today hardly a week goes by that good lawyers do not jump ship and new entrants open doors with lawyers lured by ever-increasing compensation. To protect themselves, historical local firms follow suit. The result is that far fewer lawyers will spend their careers at their original firms. A big difference from 1977.

What is one thing about the profession that has remained unchanged over the years?

One constant has been the incredible intelligence, work ethic and quality of character exhibited across the spectrum of the legal profession. No matter the age segment, from newest to oldest, the profession remains, just that, a profession with the highest of standards as a whole and on an individual level.

What is one piece of advice you would give someone entering into the profession that you wish you had as young lawyer?

I was fortunate to have been given the most valuable advice any lawyer could receive—establish relationships and work at maintaining and nurturing them even if they do not immediately result in the opportunity to provide legal services. As a professional, it is also important to serve our community, both professionally and in the private sector. Volunteering leads to an other-awareness that allows one to inspire and be inspired by others. Also, no matter how successful you are as a lawyer, you will be even more successful if you make as your highest priority your relationships with family and friends. If you do not neglect them, they will sustain and support you in what is a very difficult path. Finally, all of the foregoing will be so much the better if you choose to lead rather than follow in the background. Leadership naturally flows from having good relationships and earning respect through unselfish service. And there is a critical benefit of leadership; it allows you to shape what happens around you for the better.