Kevin McDonald is a seasoned executive and attorney with a distinguished career advising boards, leading legal departments, and driving strategic business initiatives across diverse industries. He began his legal career as a litigator at Fulbright & Jaworski (now Norton Rose Fulbright), where he gained extensive trial experience, serving as first chair in over 20 jury trials and numerous arbitrations. This early experience as a trial lawyer laid the foundation for Kevin’s adeptness at navigating complex legal challenges, making him a formidable advocate in high-stakes commercial litigation.
Before co-founding Werner Ayers & McDonald LLP, Kevin served as Executive Vice President, Chief Administrative Officer, General Counsel & Corporate Secretary of NexTier Oilfield Solutions (NYSE: NEX), where he played an instrumental role in the company’s growth from $420 million in revenue in 2016 to a $3.7 billion annual revenue run rate by 2023. Kevin’s leadership was pivotal in Keane Group’s (NYSE: FRAC) (subsequently NexTier) 2017 IPO, the 2019 merger with C&J Energy Services, and the 2023 merger with Patterson-UTI, where he led numerous integrations and managed significant governance, compliance, and ESG initiatives.
Kevin’s in-house experience spans multiple sectors and roles, providing him with a deep understanding of various industry landscapes. He previously served as Senior Vice President, General Counsel & Chief Compliance Officer at Cooper Industries (NYSE: CBE), Deputy General Counsel at Marathon Oil (NYSE: MRO), Managing Counsel at Valero Energy (NYSE: VLO), and Associate General Counsel at Anadarko Petroleum (NYSE: APC). This diverse background enables Kevin to offer unique insights and strategic guidance in matters of corporate governance, regulatory compliance, mergers and acquisitions, and complex litigation.
At Werner Ayers & McDonald LLP, Kevin’s practice encompasses a broad array of legal and business consulting services, with a focus on the energy and natural resources sectors. He has extensive experience supporting clients in risk and crisis management, public policy advocacy, and commercial litigation, leveraging his early career trial experience to represent clients in significant business disputes.
Recognized for his ability to bridge legal and business perspectives, Kevin is a trusted advisor to boards and senior leadership teams. He currently serves on several nonprofit boards, including the Texas A&M University 12th Man Foundation, Houston Christian High School, and Arms of Hope, reflecting his commitment to community and leadership in the nonprofit sector.
Kevin earned his Juris Doctorate from the University of Texas and holds a Bachelor of Science, Magna Cum Laude, from Texas A&M University. He has been honored with numerous industry accolades, including the Texas General Counsel Forum’s Magna Stella Award for Best General Counsel and recognition by the Houston Business Journal and National Law Journal as a leading general counsel.
