Andrew S. Graham

Member

Biography

Andy Graham focuses his practice in the areas of energy and mineral law (oil and gas, coal, and coalbed methane), real estate, and commercial transactions. Mr. Graham regularly assists clients with mineral title examinations, coordinating and performing due diligence, buying and selling mineral assets, and issues related to surface use and compensation arising from mineral development.

Representative Experience

Conducted due diligence for the $10,000,000 acquisition of drilled wells and undeveloped leases in the Appalachian Basin
Performed due diligence for several multi-million dollar transactions of mineral assets, including coal, coalbed methane, oil and gas, involving title review, litigation, and regulatory risk assessment, and title defect curative work
Assisted clients with the performance of mineral title examinations and preparation of mineral title opinions
Represented clients in negotiations and litigation related to surface use or surface damages claims arising from coal, oil, and gas operations
Experienced in preparing leases, deeds, easements, and other related agreements

Licensed In

West Virginia
Ohio
Texas

Education

J.D. West Virginia University College of Law

B.S. Shepherd College

Memberships

Institute for Energy Law
Leadership Harrison
Past Board Member, Humane Society of Harrison County
Energy & Mineral Law Foundation
The Foundation for Natural Resources and Energy Law
West Virginia Case Reporter, Mineral Law Newsletter
The Order of the Coif, WVU College of Law
Phi Kappa Phi
American Association of Professional Landmen
National Association of Division Order Analysts
National Association of Land and Title Analysts

Achievements

The Best Lawyers in America®, Real Estate Law (2012-Present)

Speaking Engagements

Panelist, “Constructing Litigation-Resistant Mineral Title,” Steptoe & Johnson PLLC Energy Leadership Summit, Houston, TX, January 14, 2014
“Production in Paying Quantities and Cessation of Production,” Houston Association of Professional Landmen, 25th Fall Saturday Seminar, Houston, TX, November 9, 2013
“Legal Challenges of Shale Gas Production,” Houston Association of Professional Landmen, 4th Annual Shale Play Seminar, Houston, TX, October 3, 2013
“You Call That A Title Opinion?: Texas v. the World,” Association of Lease and Title Analysts, Houston, TX, June 25, 2013
“Legal Issues in the Marcellus and Utica Shales,” Houston Association of Professional Landmen, 44th Annual Technical Workshop, Houston, TX, April 25, 2013
Participated in a series of roundtable presentations on estate and heirship issues for the Houston Association of Division Order Analysts (Houston, TX, March 13, 2013), the National Association of Division Order Analysts (Fort Worth, TX, March 14, 2013) and the Denver Association of Division Order Analysts (Denver, CO, April 16, 2013)
Co-authored 2013 Survey on Oil & Gas – West Virginia, 19 Tex. Wesleyan L. Rev. 637 (2013)
Co-authored 2012 Survey on Oil & Gas – West Virginia, 18 Tex. Wesleyan L. Rev. 675 (2012)
Guest lecturer, West Virginia University College of Law Energy Law Seminar
“Update on Oil and Gas Law in the Appalachian Basin,” North American Coalbed Methane Forum, Canonsburg, PA, May 16, 2012
“Evolving Environmental & Surface Owner Issues in West Virginia,” West Virginia Oil & Natural Gas Association Annual Meeting, May 9, 2012
“The Trouble with Trusts: Identifying and Resolving Common Problems Relating to the Creation, Operation and Termination of Trusts,” Appalachian Basin Association of Division Order Analysts, Canonsburg, PA, April 3, 2012
Panelist, “Appalachian Title Issues,” Steptoe & Johnson PLLC Acquisition and Disposition of Shale Assets in Appalachia Seminar, Canonsburg, PA, January 25, 2012
“West Virginia Estate Basics,” Appalachian Basin Association of Division Order Analysts, Canonsburg, PA, November 8, 2011
“Legal Developments in Marcellus Shale Developments,” West Virginia University Extension Service Tax School, Morgantown, WV, November 30, 2011
“Starting a Marcellus Shale Oil and Gas Practice: A Primer,” West Virginia Continuing Legal Education Solo & Small Firm Practice Seminar, Morgantown, WV, November 4, 2011
“Analyzing Surface Use in Marcellus Shale Development,” West Virginia Continuing Legal Development Update on the Law Seminar, Morgantown, WV, September 30, 2011
“The Development of the Oil & Gas Lease in West Virginia,” Wheeling Academy of Law and Science, August 26, 2011
“The Title Examination: Basic Issues and the Distinction Between Mineral Interests, Royalty Interests and Non-executive Mineral Interests,” West Virginia Continuing Legal Education Marcellus Shale Seminar, Charleston, WV, June 10, 2011
“Surface Owner Rights and Mineral Development,” West Virginia University Extension Service, Morgantown, WV, June 8, 2011
“The Wild, Wild East: An Introduction to Title Issues in the Appalachian Basin,” Steptoe & Johnson PLLC Acquisition and Disposition of Shale Assets in Appalachia Seminar, Houston, TX, April 20, 2011
“Curing Title Defects,” Appalachian Chapter of the AAPL, Pikeville, KY, March 3, 2011
“The Basics of the Oil and Gas Lease,” West Virginia University Extension Service town hall meeting series, Bridgeport, Keyser, Flatwoods and Morgantown, WV, Spring 2011
“The Marcellus Shale: An Overview for Litigators,” West Virginia Continuing Legal Eduction Canaan Valley Litigation Seminar, February 26, 2011
“Rights and Parties Affected by the Oil and Gas Lease,” Northern Appalachian Landman Association, State College, PA, November 18, 2010
“Basics of the Modern Oil & Gas Lease Including Common Additional Provisions,” Northern Appalachian Landman Association, State College, PA, November 18, 2010
“Legislative Issues on the Horizon,” Northern Appalachian Landman Association, State College, PA, November 18, 2010
“Special Considerations in Drafting Lease Provisions for Horizontal Wells,” National Association of Lease and Title Analysts, New Orleans, LA, September 15, 2010
“Proper Identification of Lessors and Proper Execution of Leases,” Spring 2010 Oil & Gas Land Seminar sponsored by The Michael Late Benedum and Northern Appalachian Chapters of the AAPL, Canonsburg, Pennsylvania, April 8, 2010
“Access Rights and Mineral Development: What It Means When People Tell You ‘No, You Can’t Get There From Here’ or ‘Why Can’t You Put That Somewhere Else?'” The Appalachian Chapter of the AAPL Winter meeting, Abingdon, Virginia, December 3, 2009