Justin A. Rubenstein

Member

Biography

Justin Rubenstein is a litigator focused on helping oil and gas producers protect their leasehold assets by vigorously defending matters involving title disputes in the Marcellus and Utica Shale plays. Justin is involved in litigation from the inception, including pre-case assessment and litigation planning. He has defended oil and gas operators in claims involving royalty disputes, including obtaining a favorable verdict in a jury trial involving leasehold royalty interpretation. Justin is very comfortable in a board room, courtroom, and in front of a jury and has the reputation of being detail-oriented and understands the particulars of land and title disputes. As former in-house counsel for a major energy company in West Virginia and Pennsylvania, Justin also recognizes the business impact of disputes involving land, title, and royalties.

Representative Experience

Defended publicly traded oil and gas operator, including obtaining a favorable verdict in a jury trial involving leasehold royalty interpretation
Defended oil and gas operators in claims involving royalty disputes
Obtained summary judgment in federal court in favor of oil and gas company in a matter involving rights of first refusal for the leasehold interest
Defended a major energy producer in matters related to disputes of ownership, including those held by production leases

Licensed In

Pennsylvania
West Virginia

Education

J.D. West Virginia University College of Law

B.A. Washington & Lee

Memberships

The Order of the Coif, WVU College of Law
Executive Publication Editor, The West Virginia Law Review, 2004-2005
Associate Editor, The West Virginia Law Review, 2003-2004
Energy & Mineral Law Foundation
American Association of Professional Landmen (AAPL)
Certified Professional Lease & Title Analyst (CPLTA), National Association of Lease & Title Analysts (NALTA)
Board of Directors, United Way of Washington County Pennsylvania
Member, Institute of Energy Law
Michael Late Benedum Chapter of AAPL

Achievements

The Best Lawyers in America®, Energy Law (2025)
CALI Award for Constitutional Law II

Speaking Engagements

Intermediate Issues in Mineral Title Examinations: “Tax Sales in West Virginia and Pennsylvania,” Abstracting Titles in the Appalachian Basin, Energy & Mineral Law Foundation, March 2011

Publications

Intermediate Issues in Mineral Title Examinations: “Tax Sales in West Virginia and Pennsylvania,” Abstracting Titles in the Appalachian Basin, Energy & Mineral Law Foundation, March 2011

Related Services

Related News & Resources

Press Release

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