Ilya Batikov
Partner, Vorys, Sater, Seymour and Pease LLP
Current association: Vorys, Sater, Seymour and Pease LLP
Past association: Hameline & Eccleston, LLP
Law School: Cleveland State University College of Law, J.D., summa cum laude, 2011; Undergraduate John Carroll University, B.A., cum laude, 2008
Spouse: Marlina Lovett
Children: Elena (7), Sofia (1)
Home: Columbus, Ohio
Favorite restaurant: My wife and I love to grab sushi, and Tora is one of our favorite spots. It also happens to be just a few minutes from our home.
EMLF Involvement: Board of Trustees (2026–). Panelist, Appalachian Title Trends: What’s Hot in Ohio, West Virginia, and Pennsylvania, 17th Appalachia Energy Law Conference, Presented by IEL and EMLF (upcoming) Co-author and co-presenter, Equitable and Statute of Limitations Defenses to Lease Expiration Claims, 38 Energy & Min. L. Inst. 4 (2017) Moderator, Corbin—How We Got Here, Where Are We Going?, Ohio Dormant Mineral Act Special Institute (2016).
You do a lot of work representing companies in the energy sector as a litigator. How did you get involved in doing this work? I finished law school in 2011 during a particularly challenging job market for new graduates. At the same time, the Utica Shale boom was just taking off in Ohio. I decided to take a chance and joined Hameline & Eccleston, LLP, a boutique oil and gas firm, where I helped open the firm’s Ohio office. At the time, I knew absolutely nothing about oil and gas, although I had taken a few real estate classes and that gave me enough confidence to apply. The firm prioritized teaching, and I developed a solid foundation during my time there before joining Vorys in 2013. Over the years, my practice has grown to cover everything from Dormant Mineral Act and Marketable Title Act disputes to individual and class-action royalty suits, pooling and unitization applications and appeals, and intra-business litigation.
You are active in various mineral or energy law organizations, including EMLF, and have given a considerable amount of time to such organizations, even though you have a busy practice. What benefits do you see from being involved in these organizations and what motivates you to give them so much time? EMLF and its sister organizations are critically important to my practice. Because the law in this space is constantly evolving, these groups provide an invaluable service by producing timely, high-quality scholarship on the cutting-edge issues of the day. They also serve as an important forum for exchanging ideas with other practitioners, in-house counsel, and key industry participants. Participating in these organizations allows me to stay ahead of industry trends and offer the best possible advice and representation to my clients.
Do you find time to travel for fun? Do you have a favorite place to visit? Travel is a big priority for us, even if it’s a bit more of a logistical challenge these days with a one-year-old in tow! One of our most memorable recent trips (pre-second child) was a Mediterranean cruise that took us through Spain, France, Italy, Greece, and Croatia. Walking the medieval city walls of Dubrovnik and looking out over the Adriatic was incredible. We also enjoy drivable gateways, whether that means heading to Hilton Head, Myrtle Beach, or even the Upper Peninsula of Michigan.
How do you like to spend your time when you aren’t practicing law? A big portion of my time outside the office is centered around family, but I also took up running a few years ago. I try to get out for a run most days, even if it means heading out after the kids have gone to bed.
You seem to be doing well in your career as an energy law litigator. Is there any advice you would give to new lawyers and law students who are about to become lawyers? Become a subject matter expert. Even if you are new to the profession or to a particular practice area, take the time to learn everything you can as quickly as you can. Identify and read the leading cases, review written materials prepared for the EMLF Annual Institute and similar conferences, get to know colleagues at other firms who practice in the same area, and learn as much as you can about your clients—not just their pressing legal issues, but their broader business needs and goals.
Take ownership. When working in a group, whether on a case or a transactional matter, figure out what needs to be done and volunteer to do it, even if you are not directly asked. Ask yourself: What is our goal here, and how can I help us get there?
Learn to write effectively. Whether you are a transactional attorney or a litigator, learn to communicate clearly. There are many good resources out there. Check out materials by Bryan Garner, Ross Guberman, and others. If you ever have downtime, visit SCOTUSblog.com and read the briefing in a few of the major cases before the United States Supreme Court. You may pick up ideas for your own writing.
Make time for life outside the office. Work tends to expand to fill whatever time you give it, but making time for family, friends, hobbies, and your health will sustain you over the long term.