Current association: Assistant General Counsel at Core Natural Resources, Inc.
Past associations: Former Interim General Counsel and Corporate Secretary at CONSOL Energy Inc., former Vice President Legal at CONSOL Energy Inc., former Member at Jackson Kelly PLLC
Law School: Washington and Lee University
Undergraduate: West Virginia University
Spouse: Gretchen Tyree
Current home town: Pittsburgh, PA
Favorite bar or restaurant in current home city, and why? Umami Izakaya. I would put their omakase up against any Michelin-star restaurant experience.
Hobbies: Golf and boating when it’s warm, football games and skiing when it’s cold.
EMLF Involvement: I joined the EMLF as a young associate at Jackson Kelly in the aughts and have enjoyed their conferences and programs ever since. I once saved a Fall Symposium by making a beer run with colleagues on foot to the gas station next door when the bar shut down. Some of the most educational experiences in my career have been the war stories told at or near the conference bar.
Do you have a favorite anecdote or war story regarding your time as a lawyer? As a young associate in the midst of an all-nighter during a week-long trial, I once lost my cool with a veteran litigator with a penchant for last-minute exhibit changes that would have made Taylor Swift’s concert wardrobe staff proud. Thankfully, another partner working with us pulled me aside and gave me a tip that has long since stuck with me: have a Snickers; you’re not you when you’re hungry.
How did you get involved in your area of practice? My interest in energy law was piqued during law school by a professor who impressed upon us that the increasing energy demand and decreasing supply would make it the preeminent issue of our lifetime. I proceeded to learn under a top energy attorney who demanded hard work with a focus on research and writing, and I haven’t looked back since.
You are a member of the EMLF Board of Trustees, and have been involved with EMLF events and committees. Has that involvement benefited you, and if so, how? Yes. It has expanded my professional network, which is critical in your legal practice. Having colleagues to discuss issues with and run them past has been extremely helpful throughout my career.
Looking back, what two or three things have been most helpful to you in developing as a lawyer and as an attorney at your company? First, mentorship has been the most helpful factor in my development. I was fortunate to be mentored by numerous attorneys over the years, who have had an enormous impact on my career. Try finding a mentor as a young attorney. Second, being active in my profession and in my community has allowed me to expand my network throughout my career by meeting individuals both in and out of my practice area. You should strive to learn something new every day, and being active in these areas has helped me strive toward this goal.
Is there any advice you would give to new lawyers and law students who are about to become lawyers? Yes, as my prior experience has taught me, stay hydrated and make sure you get some food in your stomach to absorb the stress!