Watts Ueltschey was admitted to the bar in 1975. He worked as Special Administrative Assistant to the Secretary of State of the State of Mississippi and was a partner in two law firms before joining the Brunini firm in 1988. He has represented a number of companies in the energy sector on a variety of matters, including handling disputes with land owners; preparation of mining, drilling and division order title opinions; transactions involving the purchase and sale of producing properties; and representation before the Mississippi State Oil and Gas Board. He has represented clients in connection with gas storage, including acquisition of existing storage facilities; acquisition of surface and subsurface rights for the construction of storage facilities in salt domes; and obtaining regulatory authority for such facilities at the state level. Watts's litigation experience includes controversies over deed construction, joint operating agreements, boundary line disputes and expiration of oil and gas leases on school lands. In addition to his oil and gas practice, Watts has been involved with issues involving hard minerals, including lignite and bentonite. He has also been a frequent speaker at seminars and is active in a number of civic organizations.

Representative Matters

• AARCO Oil and Gas Company  et al. v. EOG Resources, Inc. et al.
• The Estate of Francis N. Burgess, Sr., Deceased, by and through Dorothy F. Burgess, duly appointed Executor, Francis N. Burgess, Jr., and Lula Burgess  v. H. Alex Trotter, 6 So. 3d 1109 (Miss. COA 2009).
• Knight v. Minter, 749 So. 2d 128, 143 Oil & Gas Rep. 248 (Miss. 1999).
• Exxon Corporation v. Board of Education of Lamar County, et al., 849 F. Supp. 479, 128 Oil & Gas Rep. 279, 91 Ed. Law Rep. 103 (USD Court SD Miss. 1994).

Speeches & Publications

• Co-Chair Triennial Oil and Gas Institute, Mississippi Oil and Gas Lawyers Association (Oil and Gas Update)
• Mississippi Association of Petroleum Landmen (Oil and Gas Update)
• National Business Institute (Easements)
• Baton Rouge Association of Petroleum Landmen (Operations in Mississippi)
• Ark-La-Tex Petroleum Landmen (Well Permitting in Mississippi)
• Natural Resources Section of Mississippi State Bar (Oil and Gas Lease Expiration on School Lands)
• Intestate Succession in Oil and Gas Producing States (Paper)
• Gulf Coast Landmen's Institute (Royalty Payments and Marketable Title)
• ABA Year-In-Review (2002,2003,2004,2005,2006,2007,2008)

• Rocky Mountain Mineral Law Foundation Journal (Oil and Gas Exploration and Production Industry, Mississippi Update, 2006, 2007 and 2008)

Community & Professional Activities

• Hinds County Bar Association
• Mississippi Bar Association (Member, Sections on Natural Resources and Real Property)
• Mississippi Oil and Gas Lawyers Association (Member, Board of Directors, Secretary, Treasurer, Vice-President,President)
• Natural Gas Roundtable
• Mississippi Association of Petroleum Landmen
• American Association of Professional Landmen
• The American Bar Association (Member, Section on Natural Resources)
• Tri-County Real Estate Attorneys Association (Treasurer, Vice-President, President)
• St. Richard CYO Adult Advisor
• St. Richard Parish Council
• St. Richard Finance Council
• Diocesan Youth Retreat Team
• St. Richard Catholic School Board (President)
• St. Joseph Jr. High Development Steering Committee
• Northeast Jackson Soccer Association (Treasurer and Commissioner
• Youth Soccer Coach (16 years)
• Jackson Futbol Club (Board and Manager of Select Soccer Team)
• Good Samaritan Center Board
• Operation Shoestring Board
• Catholic Charities - Guardian Ad Litem for Parental Rights Termination
• Mississippi State Bar Pro Bono Project
• Capital Club (Board of Directors)