KELLY G. ROGERS, ATTORNEY AT LAW, REAL ESTATE

In 1985 Kelly G. Rogers graduated from Southern Methodist University School of Law in Dallas, Texas. During law school Mr. Rogers excelled in Moot Court Competitions and was awarded several honors for his "from the hip" arguing abilities.

Kelly Rogers used that ability as an advocate for SMU's Law School while serving two terms as the Student Senate representative. Upon graduation, Mr. Rogers accepted a position with the Trammell Crow Company, Commercial Office Real Estate Division, in San Antonio, Texas. While there, he was mentored in office building development, management and leasing by seasoned professionals Mike Birnbaum and Ron Nelson. Kelly Rogers had the primary responsibility for the development and leasing of the proposed Petroleum Center at the intersection of Highway 410 and Broadway, near the San Antonio Airport.

Unfortunately, the real estate market suffered a severe crash in 1986, and the San Antonio market was unable to support the expansion of the first class office market. Therefore the Petroleum Center project was scrapped, and there remains to this day the same two story office complex full of oil and gas company owners, engineers and landmen, as there were back then.

Rogers sought greener pastures, as he was unsure how long it would take the real estate market to rebound, and he returned to Dallas to practice law. While looking for a firm that would allow him immediate trial experience he worked as a litigation coordinator for Lawyers title Company. His job was mainly to analyze title claims made against the title policies, determine their validity, and either litigate them himself on behalf of the company, or refer the claim disputes to outside counsel.

Within a year, Kelly Rogers was hired away from Lawyers' Title Company to work as an associate attorney for Riddle & Brown, P.C., a law firm specializing in real estate and oil and gas contracts and litigation, and bankruptcy. He "cut his teeth" working for lenders and developers in wrongful foreclosure lawsuits, oil and gas royalty disputes, and litigating creditors' claims in bankruptcy court. Rogers logged many hours of trial in the courtroom as a young lawyer, and became quite adept at handling complex matters with efficient legal expertise.

Eventually Rogers wanted to start his own law firm with several partners, and helped form Fort, Rogers, Wirz and Drake, LLP, which operated successfully for many years. Now, Kelly Rogers has his own practice, and focuses his efforts to help clients in oil and gas disputes, real estate matters, and bankruptcy.