BakerBotts LLP - James Baker's Law Firm - Gets Client Blacklisted in Iraq Oil Deal

[CorpGovActivist]

http://biz.yahoo.com/law/071126/07bdcef1e1da868fc937a53a4c2ec0a9.html?.v=1">By the time the Bush Administration "smooths this over," I'm sure the sanction won't stand, but it's an interesting read nonetheless.

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Baker Botts Cuts an Iraqi Oil Deal -- and Draws a Backlash
Monday November 26, 3:02 am ET
Daphne Eviatar, The American Lawyer

Ever since oil first gushed in Texas, Houston-based Baker Botts has represented wildcatters. While those deals were always risky, even Baker may not have anticipated that the deal made by the firm for its latest wildcatter -- Hunt Oil Co., a longtime client hungry for oil in Iraq -- was risking quite so much.

...

The deal was for exploration rights in northern Iraq. The Baker Botts team was led by Sean Korney, a Dubai-based partner with a record of representing energy companies buying up oil and gas rights around the globe. None were as controversial as the Hunt Oil rights, however. Not only was the deal made in a war zone, but Iraq is still working on oil resources legislation. Under the October 2005 Iraqi constitution, local oil is owned by "the Iraqi people."

But for the wildcatters and their law firm, oil is too important to be left in the control of the diplomats.
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Of course, as some of you may recall, http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=baker+botts+halliburton">BakerBotts and Halliburton are thick as thieves, too.

- Dave

[Blackhatjack]

1. Won't all oil firms in the future be pumping oil in war zones? K & R

[CorpGovActivist]

2. Wonder If Waxman Goes Wildcatting...

... for more proof of impeachable/indictable offenses?

- Dave