The Law Firm that the Slumping Energy Market Blew Up

On Monday, the boutique energy-focused law firm Burleson announced it would shutter all its offices and cease as an ongoing operation, highlighting the rough ride that boutique U.S. energy law firms have experienced during a prolonged oil and gas market decline.

In October, the Houston-based firm had laid off six attorneys in its Pittsburgh office, but at the time managing partner Richard Burleson was still optimistic that his firm could keep up with the shifts in the market.

“We have had to make adjustments in our head count, but we’re not high and dry,” Burleson said in an interview with Big ...