David Elder

Litigation, Antitrust Litigation, Appellate Practice, Bankruptcy Proceedings (Creditors), Energy and Law Environmental Law, Federal/State Securities Litigation, Intellectual Property Litigation, Tax Litigation, Trust and Estate Litigation, Oil and Gas Litigation

Associate with Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Field in the Washington, D.C., office (2002-2005)

Significant experience before state and federal administrative bodies, including the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission

Successfully tried numerous lawsuits to verdict in both state and federal courts

Successfully argued before state and federal appellate courts

Successfully litigated complex arbitration matters under the rules of the American Arbitration Association

American Bar Association

Luther L. Bohanon American Inn of Court XXIII – former barrister

Oklahoma Bar Foundation – fellow

As a research assistant for Professor Arthur R. Miller at Harvard Law, reorganized, edited and drafted new sections for the revised Federal Practice and Procedure treatise, volumes 4 and 4a, covering Rules 1-6 of Federal Rules of Civil Procedure

Updated and revised the chapter on personal jurisdiction and drafted a new section on Internet and personal jurisdiction for Cound, Friedenthal, Miller, and Sexton Civil Procedure Casebook

Chambers Global Practice Guide 2026 - Litigation

Community Involvement:

Oklahoma Children’s Hospital Foundation, Board of Advocates – current member

Oklahoma Children’s Hospital Foundation, Board of Directors – past member

Casady School Alumni Board – Former member and past president

Oklahoma City Downtown Club – former member

Oklahoma Lawyers for Children – volunteer attorney

Musket Corporation v. Star Fuel of Oklahoma, LLC, et al.; United States Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit Case Nos. 13-6133, 13-6146;

Derby Exploration, LLC and PEO Oklahoma, LLC v. Comanche Exploration Company, LLC; Dewey County Case No. CV-19-30;

In the Matter of the Income Tax Protest of Raytheon Company & Subsidiaries; Oklahoma Tax Commission Case No. P-16-266-H;

Bays Exploration, Inc. and Bays Energy Partners 2007, LP v. PENSA, Inc.; Western District of Oklahoma Case No. CIV-07-754-D;

Rhodes College

Bachelor of Arts in political science, 1999, Magna Cum Laude, Phi Beta Kappa, Pi Sigma Alpha, Omicron Delta Kappa, Mortar Board, Abe Fortas Award for Excellence in Legal Studies, Captain of the National Runner-Up Rhodes College Mock Trial Team

Harvard Law School

Juris Doctor, 2002

Best Lawyers in America - Litigation - Environmental and Oil & Gas Law (2012-2026)

Best Lawyers in America

"Super Lawyer" in Business Litigation (2013-2025) and "Rising Star" in Business Litigation (2008-2012)

Super Lawyers Magazine

Leadership in Law Award (2009)

The Journal Record

Achievers under 40 (2009)

The Journal Record

Best Lawyers in America, 2022 "Lawyer of the Year" - Litigation - Oil and Gas Law

Best Lawyers in America