Meet Joshua L. Swain

The founder and author behind The Small Business Law Forum is a seasoned professional, college professor, business owner, and former Partner at the Coghlan Crowson, LLP, law firm, with a passion for simplifying complex concepts for small businesses. His expertise is certified by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization, and with more than two decades of experience teaching students and advising clients in business, property, and energy fields, he has witnessed firsthand the challenges small businesses face when navigating these landscapes. This inspired him to create The Small Business Law Forum, a platform dedicated to providing valuable insights and practical advice on business and legal matters. The author’s expertise in business, real property, and energy law, combined with his understanding of the unique needs of small businesses, makes him a premier guide for entrepreneurs seeking to protect and grow their businesses. He is committed to making legal knowledge accessible and understandable, empowering small business owners to make informed decisions that contribute to their success.

• State Bar of Texas, 2008.
• Law Clerk to Mark Hatten, Partner at Shannon, Gracey, Ratliff & Miller, LLP (2007).
• Landman at Maverick Land Services, Inc. (2008 – 2009).
• Associate at Flowers * Davis, PLLC (2009 – 2012).
• Board Certified – Oil, Gas & Mineral Law, Texas Board of Legal Specialization.

Education

• Master of Business Administration, Letourneau University, 2013
• Juris Doctor, Texas A&M University School of Law, 2007
• Psychology, B.S., Letourneau University, 2005

Representative Experience

• Counsels energy clients on a variety of day-to-day issues relating to leasing, drilling, production, and operation of their oil and gas properties.
• Represents exploration and production companies in the acquisition and divestiture of producing assets and undeveloped acreage.
• Represents clients in the negotiation and preparation of a vast array of mineral development documents, including purchase & sale agreements, leases, assignments, title curative documents, farmouts, joint operating agreements, participation agreements, and surface use agreements.
• Prepares drilling, supplemental, leasehold, acquisition, and division order title opinions covering acreage throughout Texas.
• Advises operators and non-operators on their rights, duties, and obligations under joint operating agreements and joint development agreements.
• Conducts due diligence on behalf of clients acquiring both producing and non-producing acreage.

Professional Activities, Memberships & Affiliations

• Oil, Gas, and Energy Resources Law Section and Business Law Section of the State Bar of Texas
• Adjunct Professor, Letourneau University, American Constitutional Law (2012 – Present)
• State Bar of Texas
• Gregg County Bar Association
• American Association of Petroleum Landmen
• East Texas Association of Petroleum Landmen