Interview with Gillian Flick

Current association: Member, Steptoe & Johnson, Global President – Women’s Energy Network Past associations: Past President of Women’s Energy Network – Pittsburgh (2021) Law School: Thomas R. Kline School of Law of Duquesne University Undergraduate: Washington...

Interview with Richard Gottlieb

Current association: Counsel with Lewis Gianola PLLC Past associations: Enforcement Office with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission; Senior Counsel with Columbia Gas Transmission Corp; Chief Deputy Attorney General, State of West Virginia; Partner with Lewis...

Interview with Max Gottlieb

Current law firm: Partner with Hissam Forman Donovan Ritchie PLLC Past associations: Law Clerk to Judge Robert C. Chambers, United States District Court for the Southern District of West Virginia; Law Clerk to Judge Robert B. King, United States Court of Appeals for...

West Virginia Appellate Court Interprets Mineral Reservation

By Keith HallLSU Law Center In Nicholson v. Severin POA Group, LLC, 2023 WL 7487311 (W. Va. Ct. App.), the West Virginia Intermediate Court of Appeals reverse a circuit court and held that a 1902 deed reserved a one-sixteenth mineral interest, not a one-half mineral...

Interview with Megan Skiba

Current association: Reed Smith LLP Law School: University of Pittsburgh School of Law Undergraduate: University of Pittsburgh (French and Political Science) Current hometown: Pittsburgh, PA Favorite bar or restaurant in current home city? Why? I love trying new bars...

Interview with Paul Stockman

Current association: Kazmarek Mowrey Cloud Laseter LLPPast associations: K&L Gates, LLP; McGuire Woods LLPLaw School: University of VirginiaUndergraduate: Harvard College, A.B.Spouse: Carol Kraker StockmanChildren: Two sons: Jake (30) and Alex (27)Home:...
Successful Fall Symposium Held in New Venue

Successful Fall Symposium Held in New Venue

EMLF held its Annual Fall Symposium October 10-12, 2023, in Lexington, Kentucky. More than 130 individuals participated, including  numerous corporate counsel, attorneys from law firms, government, and academia, and law students from Appalachian School of Law,...
Interview with EMLF President Britt Freund

Interview with EMLF President Britt Freund

Current association: Steptoe & Johnson Law School: Duquesne University  School of Law, JD Undergraduate:  Ithaca College, BFA Musical Theatre Spouse: Denise Freund Children: Shay Freund and Brayden Freund Hometown: Wichita, KS Favorite restaurant: The Cheesecake...
Register for EMLF’s Virtual Special Institute on Carbon Capture

Register for EMLF’s Virtual Special Institute on Carbon Capture

Register Today! EMLF wades into the field of carbon capture, utilization, sequestration, and storage with its first ever Special Institute on Carbon Capture, which will be held entirely virtually on November 16.  Generated from the work of the Alternative Energy Task...
Sponsorships Available for Fall Symposium With Stellar Line-Up

Sponsorships Available for Fall Symposium With Stellar Line-Up

A super lineup of CEOs, CAOs, and GCs are slated to speak at EMLF’s Fall Symposium, October 10-12, 2023, at the new Central Bank Convention Center in Lexington, Kentucky. One highlight will be presentations and panel discussions by notable CEOs, CAOS, and General...
Start Planning Your Trip to Lexington for the Fall Symposium!

Start Planning Your Trip to Lexington for the Fall Symposium!

The Energy & Mineral Law Foundation is preparing to welcome you to our beautiful town for the Fall Symposium, October 10-12. Fall is when Kentucky is at its finest, and October is a particularly great time to visit Lexington. From immersive bourbon tours to horse...
Spotlight On Jennifer Hicks

Spotlight On Jennifer Hicks

Current law firm or association: I am a Shareholder in Litigation at Babst, Calland, Clements & Zomnir, P.C., a great law firm, with excellent lawyers who are also just nice people to work with. Past associations: I spent the first half of my career at Dinsmore...
2023 Academic Scholarship Recipient Meredith Waugh

2023 Academic Scholarship Recipient Meredith Waugh

Meredith Waugh, Appalachian School of Law – $1500 James H. Davis Scholarship + $3500 General Fund Scholarship I come from Eastern Kentucky in the heart of Appalachia, and energy and mineral law has always seemed like a natural fit. My father and his family were all...
2023 Academic Scholarship Recipient Colin Dunn

2023 Academic Scholarship Recipient Colin Dunn

Colin Dunn West Virginia University $4000 Cabot Scholarship + $1000 General Fund Scholarship I am a 2L at WVU College of Law. As an undergrad, I studied environmental and natural resource economics, taking the HAZWOPER training course, along with soil and water...
2023 Academic Scholarship Recipient Taylor Ours

2023 Academic Scholarship Recipient Taylor Ours

Taylor Ours West Virginia University – $1000 Sharon Daniels Scholarship + $2000 General Fund Scholarship Growing up in West Virginia, I developed a deep appreciation for the natural beauty and resources of the Appalachian region. However, this appreciation was...
2023 Academic Scholarship Recipient Tyler Compston

2023 Academic Scholarship Recipient Tyler Compston

Tyler Compston West Virginia University – $5000 General Fund Scholarship After a year of internships and energy related classes, I can say with certainty that I am right where I belong. In the summer of 2022, I had the opportunity to work with the energy group...
2023 Academic Scholarship Recipient Amy Stephens

2023 Academic Scholarship Recipient Amy Stephens

Amy Stephens, Texas Tech $2000 Mary Sue Schulberg Scholarship + $1000 General Fund Scholarship I initially became interested in natural resource law by working as a contract landman whereby I researched both surface and mineral owners for various solar companies...
2023 Academic Scholarship Recipient Mollie Naegeli

2023 Academic Scholarship Recipient Mollie Naegeli

Mollie Naegeli Southern Methodist University Dedman School of Law – $2000 Mary Sue Schulberg Scholarship + $3000 General Fund Scholarship Growing up in Houston, the energy capital of the world, the oil and gas, renewables, and energy industries have always been...
2023 Academic Scholarship Recipient Braxton Iden

2023 Academic Scholarship Recipient Braxton Iden

Braxton Iden, Southern Methodist University Dedman School of Law, $3,000 General Fund Scholarship Growing up in Big Spring, TX, resting on the eastern edge of the Midland Basin, constant exposure at a young age cultivated an interest in energy and eventually motivated...
2023 Academic Scholarship Recipient Lauren Stewart

2023 Academic Scholarship Recipient Lauren Stewart

Lauren Stewart, Appalachian School of Law, $1,500 General Fund Scholarship Living and studying in the heart of Appalachia and being surrounded by the mineral industry have significantly influenced my coursework and career trajectory. Pursuing my school’s Natural...
Save the Date for Historic Fall Symposium

Save the Date for Historic Fall Symposium

By Mark Heath As the Fall Symposium — f/k/a the Kentucky Mineral Law Conference — approaches its 50th year in 2025, the conference, to be hosted at Lexington’s all-new Central Bank Center, has become one of the longest running continuous programs on...
Members Excited About Charleston

Members Excited About Charleston

EMLF asked members who have been to Charleston, SC some favorite things they plan to do when they visit Charleston for the Annual Institute, June 18-20. LSU professor Keith Hall, a member of the newsletter committee, has been encouraging his students to take advantage...
Early Bird Registration Extended

Early Bird Registration Extended

Only a few weeks remain before the 44th Annual Institute and this year’s program chairs are continuing a tradition nearly fifty years in the making, working hard with the planning committee to put together an excellent agenda. Click here for the full agenda and...
EMLF Brings Workshops to Members

EMLF Brings Workshops to Members

EMLF traveled to Pittsburgh on April 18 and Charleston, West Virginia on April 25 on to present regional legal energy updates for CLEs over lunch. The Pittsburgh workshop was held at the Union Trust Building downtown, and Charleston’s was held in the offices of...
Interview With Alex Lay

Interview With Alex Lay

Current law firm: Steptoe & Johnson PLLC Law School: Washington & Lee University School of Law Undergraduate: Glenville State University Spouse: Ryan King Children: 1 stepdaughter, Scarlett (8 years old) Current hometown: Lewisburg, WV Favorite bar or...
Interview With Keith Hall

Interview With Keith Hall

Current association: Louisiana State University Law School Past associations: Stone Pigman Walther Wittman L.L.C. Law School: Loyola University New Orleans College of Law Undergraduate: Louisiana State University (B.S., Chemical Engineering) Spouse: Machelle Hall...
Join EMLF in Charleston SC, City of Many Firsts

Join EMLF in Charleston SC, City of Many Firsts

Charming Charleston, SC, site of EMLF’s 44th Annual Institute June 18-20, 2023, is known for its beaches, architecture, food, shopping and night life. Founded in 1670 as Charles Town to honor King Charles II, it quickly became a center of trade in rice, indigo and...
Interview with Armando Benincasa

Interview with Armando Benincasa

Current association: Member, Steptoe & Johnson; joined the firm in 2002 Past associations: West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection, 1995-2002 Law School: University of Virginia Undergraduate: Washington & Lee, B.A. Spouse: Marcy Children: Bianca...
Interview with Kevin Colosimo

Interview with Kevin Colosimo

Current association: Member, Frost Brown Todd Law School: Duquesne University, J.D., 1997; Pepperdine University Caruso School of Law, Straus Institute for Dispute Resolution, Masters of Laws (LL.M.), 2020. Undergraduate: Indiana University of Pennsylvania, B.A.,...

East Kentucky Power Cooperative Joins November Webinar

Register Today! 2 p.m. November 16, 2022 EST As the federal government incentivizes electric vehicle production and some states set transition goals, join EMLF for a webinar discussing charging station infrastructure, grid impacts, and other key considerations in the...
Spotlight: Fall Symposium Chairs  

Spotlight: Fall Symposium Chairs  

The EMLF Fall Symposium is right around the corner- October 11 through 13- and this year’s program chairs have been working hard with the planning committees to put together an excellent agenda. Click here for the full agenda and registration.   Fall Symposium...
Interview with Whitney R. Kerns

Interview with Whitney R. Kerns

Current law firm or association: Bowles Rice LLP Past associations: I’ve been with Bowles Rice since they took me in from law school. Law School: West Virginia University College of Law Undergraduate: West Virginia University – Political Science Spouse: Robert “JR”...
Fall Symposium Offers Fun; Excellent Programming

Fall Symposium Offers Fun; Excellent Programming

EMLF’s annual Fall Symposium will be held on Wednesday October 12 and Thursday October 13, 2022, in Lexington, Kentucky, with a one-day, optional Solar Institute on Tuesday, October 11. The Symposium provides excellent substantive programming on a variety of energy...

The Inflation Reduction Act’s Investment in Nuclear Energy

Signed into law on August 16, 2022, the Inflation Reduction Act (“IRA”) contains approximately $369 billion in climate provisions and is being hailed as the landmark piece of climate legislation in U.S. history. Among those provisions, the IRA includes significant...
2022-2023 Scholarship Recipient Aaron Cromer

2022-2023 Scholarship Recipient Aaron Cromer

Aaron Cromer, from Oklahoma City, is in his third year at University of Houston Law Center. He grew up near the oil fields, the son of hardworking parents who “imbued in me their tough work ethic in order to get where I’m going,” Cromer said. At Oklahoma...
2022-2023 Scholarship Recipient Emma Duncan

2022-2023 Scholarship Recipient Emma Duncan

Emma Duncan, from Cumberland, Md., is in her third year at West Virginia University College of Law. She planned her courses in anticipation of a career related to energy, natural resources, or environmental law. “With every new course, I have consistently been...
2022-2023 Scholarship Recipient Jacob Snuffer

2022-2023 Scholarship Recipient Jacob Snuffer

Jacob Snuffer, from Beckley, W.Va., is in his third year at Appalachian School of Law. He’s a descendant of Appalachian blue-collar workers and coal miners. Snuffer says putting his all into his studies stems from a desire to give back to his community,...
2022-2023 Scholarship Recipient Tyler Compston

2022-2023 Scholarship Recipient Tyler Compston

Tyler Compston, from Charleston, W.Va., is in his second year at the University of West Virginia School of Law. Compston said he always wanted to work in energy, knowing his home in Boone County was “mined and harvested to power and build the world.” Prospects from...
2022-2023 Scholarship Recipient Jay Callahan

2022-2023 Scholarship Recipient Jay Callahan

Jay Callahan, from Blacksburg, Va., is in his third year at Appalachian School of Law. Callahan grew up in the mountains of Kentucky and West Virginia. He says he’s studying law because he sees opportunity in how energy shapes communities, and has a three-point plan:...
Register for the 13th Appalachia Energy Law Conference

Register for the 13th Appalachia Energy Law Conference

Register Today The 13th Annual Appalachia Energy Law Conference—formerly known as the Shale Plays Conference—will be held Thursday, September 8, 2022, in Pittsburgh. The conference focuses on legal issues related to onshore energy production, primarily oil and gas...
Safety Seminar held September 20-21

Register for EMLF’s Safety Seminar in Washington, DC

For Agenda and Registration Click Here Registration is open for EMLF’s biennial Safety Seminar on September 20-21, 2022 in Washington, DC. The Safety Seminar is chaired by Margo Lopez, Co-Leader of the Mine Safety and Health Practice of Ogletree Deakins. The...
2022-2023 Scholarship Recipient Avery Steen

2022-2023 Scholarship Recipient Avery Steen

Avery Steen, of Odessa, Texas, is in her second year at Dedman School of Law at Southern Methodist University in Dallas. Her hometown is known for two things: high school football and oil and gas production, which prompted her interest in natural resource law. As a...
2022-2023 Scholarship Recipient James Anderson

2022-2023 Scholarship Recipient James Anderson

James Anderson, from Monroe, La., is in his third year at Paul M. Hebert Law Center at Louisiana State University. His undergrad professor’s interest in the environment and sustainable energy prompted Anderson’s interest in energy and its effect on our...
2022-2023 Scholarship Recipient Kendra Amick

2022-2023 Scholarship Recipient Kendra Amick

Kendra Amick, from Richwood, W.Va., is in her third year at West Virginia University College of Law. Her hometown was devastated by flooding in the summer of 2016, a year before Kendra graduated. It’s something she can never forget, but it prompted her interest in...

Fall Symposium Call for Topics

EMLF is now accepting topic and speaker proposals for the 2022 Fall Symposium (f/k/a Kentucky Mineral Law Conference), to be held October 11-13, 2022, in Lexington, Kentucky. Topics should cover some aspect of energy production (including coal and other minerals, oil...

EMLF Spotlight With Laura Beverage

​Current association: Jackson Kelly PLLCPast associations: At Jackson Kelly since law school! I was a summer student in 1979 as well.Law School: West Virginia University College of LawUndergraduate: West Virginia University (B.S., Business Administration)Home:...

EMLF Spotlight With Andrew Smith

​Current law firm or association: Steptoe & Johnson PLLCLaw School: Wake Forest University School of LawUndergraduate: Transylvania UniversitySpouse: Candace Smith, who incidentally is also a member in Steptoe’s Lexington officeChildren: Wickliffe, 18 months. We...

EMLF Spotlight With Clay Larkin

​Current association: Dentons Bingham Greenebaum (f/k/a Bingham Greenebaum Doll; Greenebaum Doll & McDonald)Past associations: Bingham Greenebaum DollDinsmore & Shohl LLPLaw School: University of KentuckyUndergraduate: Western Kentucky UniversityWife:...

EMLF Member Spotlight With Katrina Bowers

Current law firm or association: Babst CallandLaw School: West Virginia University College of LawUndergraduate: Marshall UniversitySpouse: Cody BowersChildren: Jackson, age 2, and Julianna, due October 2022Current home town: Charleston, WVFavorite bar or restaurant in...

Former EMLF Executive Director Sharon Daniels Dies

Sharon J. Daniels, EMLF’s second and longest serving Executive Director, passed away April 30, 2022, in Overland Park, Kansas, where she had relocated after her retirement in 2018. Sharon was born January 3, 1944, in Ransom, Kansas, and was the daughter of Maurice B....

D.C. District Court Vacates Offshore Lease Sale

By Keith B. Hall, LSU Law Center The United States District Court for the District of Columbia issued a decision on January 27, 2022 vacating Lease Sale 257, the largest sale of federal offshore oil and gas leases in history. Friends of the Earth v. Haaland, 2022 WL...

EMLF Announces 43rd Annual Institute Co-Chairs

We’re happy to introduce our 43rd Annual Institute Co-Chairs, Timothy B. McGranor, with Vorys, Sater, Seymour and Pease, and Martha A. Wiegand, with Consol Energy. The Annual Institute will be held June 12-14, 2022 at Omni Amelia Island Resort in Florida. Click...

EMLF Member Spotlight: Rebecca Kennedy

Current law firm or association: K&L Gates   Past associations: EQT Production Company   Law School: University of Pittsburgh School of Law   Undergraduate: University of Pittsburgh  Spouse: Frank Posega   Children: Hannah Lilly Posega (2 years old) and Frank...

EMLF Member Spotlight: Renee V. Anderson

Current association:  Partner at Cassidy, Anderson & Kane  Past associations: I started my career with Sean Cassidy. From there I went to Atlas Energy, Chevron, Tucker Arensburg, and back again to work with Sean Cassidy.  Law School:  Duquesne University School of...

EMLF Member Spotlight: Timothy M. Miller

            Current association: Babst Calland (2014-present) Past associations: Robinson & McElwee (1983-2014); Love, Wise, Robinson & Woodroe (1980-1983) Law School: West Virginia University College of Law, J. D. 1980...

EMLF Member Spotlight: Stefanie Lepore Burt

            Current law firm or association: Assistant General Counsel at EQT Corporation Past associations: I joined Vinson & Elkins in DC right after law school, and spent the majority of my career prior to EQT at Reed Smith’s...

EMLF Member Spotlight: Karen Greenwell

Current association: Wyatt, Tarrant & Combs, LLP Law School: University of Kentucky, 1985 Undergraduate: University of Kentucky, 1976 Spouse: Mary Ann Hatton Children: Three cats and three dogs, including a 6-month-old Australian Shepherd puppy who is much more...

EMLF Member Spotlight: Daniel Craig

Current law firm or association: Frost Brown Todd LLC Law School: Duquesne University School of Law (2011) Undergraduate: The Ohio State University (2008) Spouse: Dr. Elviira Craig Children: Helen (3) and Oliver (2) Current home town: Pittsburgh, PA Favorite bar or...
Annual Institute set for Amelia Island in June 2022

Annual Institute set for Amelia Island in June 2022

  Educational Event Set in Superb Location The Energy & Mineral Law Foundation will hold its 43rd Annual Institute in Amelia Island, Florida from June 12-14, 2022. As always, EMLF’s Annual Institute will provide two days of topical continuing legal education....

EMLF Member Spotlight: Gregory Russell

Current association: Vorys, Sater, Seymour and Pease LLP (1992-present)Law School: Harvard Law SchoolUndergraduate: Washington and Lee UniversitySpouse: AnneChildren: Hannah (26), Joe (23)Home: Columbus, OhioFavorite restaurant in Columbus: Right now, it’s The Eagle...

EMLF Member Spotlight: Travis Brannon

  EMLF Member Spotlight: Travis Brannon Current law firm or association: K&L Gates LLP Law School: West Virginia University College of Law Undergraduate: The University of Virginia’s College at Wise Spouse: Meagan Brannon Children: Robert Knox Brannon Current...

EMLF Member Spotlight: Kara Mundy

​EMLF Member Spotlight: Kara Mundy Current law firm or association: Vorys, Sater, Seymour and Pease LLPLaw School: The Ohio State University Moritz College of LawUndergraduate: The Ohio State UniversitySpouse: ChristopherChildren: Felicity (4) Wallace (3)Current home...
EMLF Member Spotlight: Sharon Flanery

EMLF Member Spotlight: Sharon Flanery

EMLF Member Spotlight: Sharon Flanery Current association: Steptoe & Johnson PLLC (2004–present)Past associations:Columbia Natural Resources (2001–2003)Columbia Gas Transmission Corp. (1998–2001) CONSOL Energy Inc. (1993–1998)Thorp Reed & Armstrong...
Interview with Lucas Liben

Interview with Lucas Liben

Current law firm or association: Reed Smith LLPPast associations (if any): None!Law School: Georgetown University Law CenterUndergraduate: University of PittsburghSpouse (if any): Farren LibenChildren (if any): We have three boys: Avi (8), Levi (4), and Asher (almost...
Interview with Natalie Jefferis

Interview with Natalie Jefferis

Current association: Peacock KellerPast associations: EQT Production Co. (Vice President of Land & Title), Bowles Rice LP (Associate)Law School: West Virginia University College of LawUndergraduate:  Fairmont State University (B.S., Finance)Spouse: AndyChildren:...
Erin Magee receives 2021 John L. McClaugherty Award

Erin Magee receives 2021 John L. McClaugherty Award

The Energy & Mineral Law Foundation (EMLF) is proud to announce it has presented its 2021 John L. McClaugherty Award to Erin E. Magee.  Erin was nominated for this award by multiple EMLF members, including her colleagues at Jackson Kelly, where she has spent her...
Interview With Michael Moore

Interview With Michael Moore

Current association: Steptoe & Johnson PLLC in Bridgeport, West VirginiaPast associations: Dinsmore & Shohl LLP.  Morgantown, West VirginiaLaw School: West Virginia University College of LawUndergraduate: West Virginia UniversitySpouse: Dr. Emily R....
Interview With Kevin Abbott

Interview With Kevin Abbott

Current association: Law Office of Kevin C. Abbott, University of Pittsburgh School of Law, Professor of PracticePast associations: Reed Smith LLP (2000-2019), Thorp Reed & Armstrong (1983-2000), clerkships at the U.S. Sixth Circuit and U.S. District Court for...
The 12th Law of Shale Plays Conference goes virtual

The 12th Law of Shale Plays Conference goes virtual

The 12th Law of Shale Plays Conference This event was rescheduled to a virtual format to be held September 15-16, 2021. Register for the 12th Law of Shale Plays virtual program here. The 12th Law of Shale Plays Conference, which is hosted by the Institute for Energy...
EMLF’s Petrochemicals Update Becomes Virtual Series

EMLF’s Petrochemicals Update Becomes Virtual Series

Petrochemicals Update Becomes Virtual Series Register here for the Virtual Petrochemicals Update Series. Following up to our popular 2018 Petrochemicals Special Institute, join us for the Energy & Mineral Law Foundation’s virtual program featuring business...

Interview with Drew McCallister

Current association: Senior Vice President, General Counsel & Secretary – Greylock Energy, Charleston, WV Past associations: Alpha Natural Resources, Patriot Coal, Spilman Thomas & Battle, PLLC Law School: Washington & Lee Undergraduate: West Virgina...
EMLF Names New Young Professionals Committee Chairs

EMLF Names New Young Professionals Committee Chairs

EMLF is proud to announce its newly appointed Young Professionals Committee Chairs, Sydney Boyd and Clayton Harkins. Sydney is the Marketing Specialist at the Pittsburgh-based John T. Boyd Company, and Clayton is an associate with Dinsmore & Shohl in Charleston,...