General counsel in the energy sector continue to hold more spots on the list of highest-paid GCs in Texas than any other industry—they accounted for nearly half of this year’s top 20 earners.

But Dallas-based AT&T legal chief David McAtee was, once again, the exception to the energy rule. He managed to hang on to the Lone Star State’s No. 1 position from last year by raking in nearly $4.2 million in total cash compensation in 2021.