Of Counsel
Energy
J.D. Indiana University Maurer School of Law
B.A. The Pennsylvania State University
Office:
Meadville, PA
(814) 333-4910
Biography
Ben Kirchner understands that for his energy clients to be successful while buying, selling, and developing mineral assets in the Appalachian Basin, he has to be responsive, detailed, and thorough. Approaching his work like a complex puzzle, he enjoys analyzing mineral title and figuring out how the pieces fit together, in support of his clients’ strategic vision. Ben’s clients include upstream exploration and production companies, midstream companies, renewable energy companies, and private equity firms. Known for his self-deprecating humor and willingness to go above and beyond, Ben leaves colleagues and clients with a smile and the comfort that he has their back.
Ben is an active and respected member of organizations that support the energy industry, including the Energy Land Management Program at the Pennsylvania State University, where he serves as a Corporate Advisory Board member. He is the immediate past Co-Chair of both the International Energy and Natural Resources Committee and the International Investment and Development Committee of the American Bar Association International Law Section. Ben focuses his practice on energy and natural resources law related to the acquisition and disposition of oil and gas assets, commercial and international transactions, and export and foreign investor matters. He is a Fellow of the American Bar Foundation and was a member of the Institute for Energy Law's First Leadership Class. Ben is a member of the firm's Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) team.
Memberships & Awards
Professional
Fellow, American Bar FoundationMember, Institute for Energy Law 1st Leadership ClassDeputy Technology Officer, ABA International Law Section (2016-2018)Immediate Past Co-Chair & Senior Advisor, International Investment & Development Committee, ABA International Law SectionImmediate Past Co-Chair & Senior Advisor, International Energy & Natural Resources Committee, ABA International Law Section Steering Group Member & Past Co-Chair, Eurasia/Russia Committee, ABA International Law SectionLiaison from the ABA International Law Section to the Institute for Energy LawFormer Chair, Subcommittee on Hydraulic Fracturing, International Energy & Natural Resources Committee, ABA International Law SectionMember, Customs Law Committee, Export Controls and Economic Sanctions Committee, International Anti-Corruption Committee, International Private Equity Committee, International Trade Committee, ABA International Law SectionAdmitted to practice before the United States Court of International Trade Admitted to practice before the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal CircuitPhi Beta KappaAwarded Foreign Language and Area Studies FellowshipsAwarded Social Science Research Council Grant
Key Experience
Counseled International solar developer with oil, gas, and mineral due diligence, for the pursuance of proper surface use waivers and non-disturbance agreements
Assisted upstream and midstream energy and natural resource companies in the acquisition and disposition of mineral rights and properties to include leasing, asset sale and purchase transactions, and due diligence associated with such transactions to include the drafting of rights-of-way, affidavits, corrective deeds, and division orders
Acted as local counsel at a lease signing event which aided a major oil and gas production company in the acquisition of more than 80,000 leasehold acres
Work Experience
2011 Steptoe & Johnson PLLC
2010 Title Analyst, Steptoe & Johnson PLLC
2010 Title Analyst,Culbertson, Weiss, Schetroma & Schug, P.C.
2007-2010 Project Attorney, Washington, DC
2005 Summer Associate, Husseini & Husseini, Ramallah, Palestine
2010 Title Analyst, Steptoe & Johnson PLLC
2010 Title Analyst,Culbertson, Weiss, Schetroma & Schug, P.C.
2007-2010 Project Attorney, Washington, DC
2005 Summer Associate, Husseini & Husseini, Ramallah, Palestine
Speaking Engagements
"New Guidance for Pennsylvania Unconventional Natural Gas Operators Following Settlement Relating to 25 Pa. Code Chapter 78a", Institute for Energy Law Oil & Gas E-Report, April 2021"2016 & 2020 Survey on Oil & Gas: New York Chapter," University of Oklahoma College of Law Oil, Gas, Natural Resources, and Energy Journal (ONE J)"1st – 6th Appalachia Young Energy Professionals General Counsel Forum," Co-Chair and Moderator, Institute for Energy Law, Pittsburgh, PA, 2014 – 2019“2018 Survey on Oil & Gas: Pennsylvania Chapter”, University of Oklahoma College of Law Oil, Gas, Natural Resources, and Energy Journal (ONE J)“Foreign Direct Investment into the United States Natural Resources Sector,” 61st Congress of the International Association of Lawyers (UIA), Toronto, Canada, October 2017“2017 Survey on Oil & Gas: New York & Pennsylvania Chapters”, University of Oklahoma College of Law Oil, Gas, Natural Resources, and Energy Journal (ONE J)“Oil and Gas Under Roads, Railroads, Schools, Churches, Cemeteries and Waterways in OH, PA, & WV,” Greater Appalachian Basin Association of Lease & Title Analysts 2017 Summer Seminar, Canonsburg, PA, August 2017"Trending Title Topics from Around the Country,” 1st National Young Energy Professionals’ Law Conference, Institute for Energy Law, New Orleans, LA, April 2017“BOOM or Bust: How it is Shaping the Future of the Petroleum Industry in the Americas,” American Bar Association Section of International Law 2016 Spring Meeting, New York, NY, April 2016"The Foreign Corrupt Practices Act: A Brief Overview," An Introduction to Incoterms," and “A Guide to Legal Issues Regarding the Export of Goods from the U.S.” Guest Lectures at the West Virginia Export Manager class at West Virginia University and Marshall University, 2012-2016