Biography
Alexandria “Alex” Lay is an integral part of mergers and acquisitions and since 2012, has been involved in transactions totaling more than $7 billion. As an Assistant Practice Group Leader of the firm’s Energy and Natural Resources Department Contracts Practice Group, Alex represents coal, oil and gas, and renewables companies, as well as gas utilities, in various matters, including negotiating stock and asset acquisitions and dispositions, conducting and managing wide-scale due diligence projects, and advising on various other operational and property matters. She is named among 2019 Forty Under 40 in the Oil and Gas Industry by Hart Energy.
Alex is Co-Team Leader of the Steptoe & Johnson Cotenancy Team, helping clients understand and utilize cotenancy laws in the Appalachian Basin. She is also a member of the Firm’s Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) Team, assisting clients in navigating various ESG matters, including emissions offset projects and evolving reporting standards and requirements.
Representative Experience
- Represented, in coordination with regulatory counsel, gas utility in various asset and stock acquisitions
- Represented an energy company in emissions offset credit agreement and other carbon capture-type projects
- Represented energy company in the real property aspects of a stock sale divestiture of coal-producing assets, including pre-closing internal entity reorganizations, preparation and recording of instruments transferring coal, gas, and surface assets nationwide, and associated due diligence
- Advised company in divestiture of a coal mine and associated properties in various states by both stock and asset sale, including preparation and recording of all property transfer documents and preparation of various agreements addressing coal-gas cooperation, subsidence, transition services, and command center services
- Managed preparation and recording of property transfer documents in the termination of a joint venture involving Marcellus Shale assets in Pennsylvania and West Virginia
- Experience in preparing purchase and sale agreements, trade agreements, deeds, leases, subleases, and other related transactional agreements
- Managed and coordinated multi-state due diligence projects, prepared transactional documents, and conducted closing for large asset transaction
- Provided educational presentations for energy clients on overview of the 2018 West Virginia cotenancy legislation for land and operations personnel
Education
- J.D. Washington and Lee University School of Law
- B.A. Glenville State University
Memberships
- Board of Governors, Glenville State University 2021-2025
- Board of Trustees, Energy & Mineral Law Foundation 2019-Present
- Co-Chair, EMLF Annual Institute, Charleston, SC, June 2023
- Leadership West Virginia Class of 2019
- Co-chair, EMLF Young Lawyers Committee 2017-2019
- Institute for Energy Law
Achievements
- The Best Lawyers in America®, Natural Resources Law (2024-Present), Oil and Gas Law (2024-Present)
- 2019 Forty Under 40 in the Oil & Gas Industry, Hart Energy
- 2020 Outstanding Young Alumna of the Year, Glenville State University
- Professionalism and Service Award, Washington & Lee School of Law
Speaking Engagements
- “Appalachian Caselaw Update,‚” Institute for Energy Law, 5th National Young Energy Professionals’ Law Conference, Austin, Texas, October 2021
- “Energy Transactions 101,” American Association of Professional Landmen 2019 Appalachian Land Institute, Corapolis, Pennsylvania, October 2019
- “West Virginia’s 2018 Cotenancy Legislation,” 2019 GABALTA Spring Conference, Charleston, West Virginia, and Southpointe, Pennsylvania, April 2019
Publications
- Executive Editor, Washington & Lee Journal of Energy, Climate and the Environment
Press Release
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