Officers

David Copeland

Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary

Mr. Copeland is the Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary of SM Energy Company.  Mr. Copeland has over 28 years of experience in the legal profession, including over 19 years as internal counsel for various energy companies. 

Prior to joining the Company, he served at Concho Resources Inc., in Midland, Texas, as its Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary from 2004 through November 5, 2009, and then as its Senior Counsel through December 31, 2010. From August 1997 through March 2004, Mr. Copeland served as an executive officer and general counsel of two energy companies he co-founded in Midland, Texas with others.  

Mr. Copeland received his Doctor of Jurisprudence from Texas Tech University School of Law in 1982. Mr. Copeland started his career in 1982 with the Stubbeman, McRae, Sealy, Laughlin & Browder law firm in Midland, Texas.