Agency Law: Apparent Authority

摘要

The Maud Smith Estate (Maud Smith) is in the business of leasing mineral interests it owns to companies like PanAmerican Operating, Inc. (PanAmerican), which hires landmen as independent contractors to help it acquire leases from mineral owners like Maud Smith. PanAmerican hires Robert Wormser (Wormser) to obtain oil and gas leases from mineral owners in Archer County, Texas. In May, 2008, Wormser contacts Maud Smith's attorney, William Elder (Elder) and identifies himself as a representative of PanAmerican, without disclosing that he is an independent contractor.