William J. Black IV

Biography

B.J. Black likes a challenge, and part of that challenge is assisting his clients in meeting their business goals. Whether learning the day-to-day operations of his clients’ business or focusing on the project at hand, at the core of B.J.’s practice is helping clients get where they want to be. Clients appreciate that B.J. uses his legal knowledge and no nonsense personality to manage large scale diligence and title projects in an efficient and economical manner, often in an aggressive time frame. As the lead of the technical side of the firm’s title practice, B.J. identifies creative solutions that are both economical and efficient. His responsiveness and legal knowledge are two of the many reasons clients turn to him for solutions.

Representative Experience

  • Managed and coordinated due diligence review in connection with domestic exploration and production company’s acquisition of 63,000 net acres in the Appalachian Basin totaling $327MM
  • Managed and coordinated due diligence review in connection with domestic exploration and production company’s acquisition of 43,000 net acres in Appalachian Basin totaling $379MM
  • Managed large abstracting teams in multiple states to assist a major energy client in meeting an extensive drilling plan
  • Undertook coal, oil, and gas title examinations and drafted the corresponding title opinions to assist a wide variety of clients in acquiring desired property rights
  • Performed due diligence, undertook curative work and prepared transactional documents for multi-million dollar energy transactions to assist clients in development efforts
  • Performed management and document review associated with major title and asset development projects of energy clients

Licensed In

  • North Dakota
  • Pennsylvania
  • West Virginia

Education

  • J.D. West Virginia University College of Law
  • B.S. West Liberty State College

Memberships

  • National Association of Land and Title Analysts (NALTA)
  • Board Member (Director), Greater Appalachian Basin Association of Lease & Title Analysts (GABALTA) 2018-2019

Speaking Engagements

  • “West Virginia Tax Sales,” NALTA Conference, 2023
  • “Survey of Statutory and County-Level Notice and Record Title Requirements in M&A Context,” EMLF Fall Symposium, 2023
  • “Appalachian Basin HBP Issues – Life Beyond the Primary Term,” NALTA Conference, 2022
  • “Lease Life Cycle – Getting In, Getting Out, and Everything in Between,” Qnections 2019
  • “Role of Quality Asset Management in Energy Transactions,” Qnections 2018
  • North Dakota Update on the Law, NADOA Annual Institute, 2017
  • North Dakota Trusts and Estates, NADOA Annual Institute, 2014
  • Co-author, “Summary of Selected Principles of West Virginia Oil and Gas Law,” 2012
  • “Appalachian Due Diligence,” National Association of Lease and Title Analysts (NALTA) Annual Conference, September 2012
  • “Transfer of Mineral Rights,” The Northern Appalachian Landman’s Association, State College, Pennsylvania, November 2010

Related Services

Related News & Resources

Event
Join Steptoe & Johnson’s William Black at Qnections24 being held in Las Vegas on April 23...
Event
Steptoe & Johnson will be sponsoring the NALTA Conference on September 6th – 8th at the W...

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