Pony Oil Hires Nick Strawn as Chief Legal Officer

Dallas-based Pony Oil, LLC has hired Nicholas Strawn to serve as the company’s chief legal officer, according to a company press release issued Tuesday. Strawn will be responsible for leading the legal team and reviewing all oil and gas transactions.

“We are excited for Nick to be joining our team,” said John Paul Merritt, Pony Oil founder and CEO. “He is bringing valuable oil and gas experience in Oklahoma, Texas, Colorado and Wyoming. He will play a significant role in our efforts to continue to grow and develop our company in these key areas.”

Strawn was previously employed at Dovedan, McMillin and Unruh, PLLC in Oklahoma City and Los Angeles where he worked as an attorney handling acquisitions and divestures and drafting and preparing drilling, division order and acquisition title opinions for energy companies. During law school, Strawn interned at Burleson LLP and Helms & Underwood assisting in title examination and oil and gas class action lawsuits.

“I joined Pony Oil because I admire how John Paul and his team built their business,” said Strawn. “They have made huge strides in mineral and leasehold acquisition by using atypical business models and directives. To survive in a business that is now inundated with competition and private equity money, you need to be unique and adaptive. It was Pony Oil’s divergence from the norm that made me want to join the team.”

Strawn is a graduate of Oklahoma City University’s School of Law where he was a Merit Scholar, member of the Phi Delta Phi Honors Fraternity and the Dean’s List. He earned a dual bachelor’s degree in history and journalism from Indiana University in Bloomington.