Black Stone Minerals Co. v. Brokaw

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Missouri River Royalty Corporation and Bauer Family LLP appeal a district court's order granting summary judgment to the defendants, most of whom are members of the Brokaw family (collectively "Brokaw"). In 1958, Lyman Brokaw conveyed "an undivided full interest" in the minerals in and under the property at issue here to North American Royalties Inc. ("North American"). Later that year, North American conveyed an undivided one-half interest in the minerals to Claud Hamill. Over the next fifty years, North American transferred other fractional interests to various persons and entities. By the time of this action, Plaintiffs alleged the ownership proportions of the 160 mineral acres were as follows: The Hamill Foundation - 50%; Black Stone Minerals Co. - 25%; Missouri River Royalty Corp. - 18.75%; and Bauer Family LLP - 6.25%. (Appellants Missouri River Royalty Corp. and Bauer Family LLP were referred to as "North American Successors.") North American Successors claim ownership through North American and initiated this action against Brokaw to quiet title in the minerals. Missouri River Royalty Corporation and Bauer Family LLP appeal a district court's order granting summary judgment to the defendants, most of whom are members of the Brokaw family (collectively "Brokaw"). On cross motions for summary judgment, the district court quieted title to certain minerals in favor of Brokaw. The Supreme Court affirmed the district court except to the extent the district court vested title in North American. As to that, the Supreme Court reversed the denial of the motion to correct judgment and remand for entry of a corrected judgment vesting title of the one half-interest not held by Brokaw only in North American Royalties Inc.'s successors in interest. View "Black Stone Minerals Co. v. Brokaw" on Justia Law