Steptoe & Johnson PLLC

M. Vafa Barissi

Member
M. Vafa Barissi

Biography

Vafa Barissi focuses his practice in energy law throughout the Appalachian Basin, specializing in title, due diligence and mineral acquisitions and divestitures.

Representative Experience

  • Managed and coordinated due diligence review in connection with a domestic exploration and production company’s acquisition of 80,000 net acres in Ohio
  • Managed and coordinated due diligence review in connection with private equity portfolio company’s acquisition of 20,000 net acres in southeastern Ohio
  • Managed and coordinated due diligence review in connection with start-up exploration and production company’s acquisition of 42,000 net acres of Marcellus Shale in north-central Pennsylvania
  • Managed and coordinated due diligence review in connection with private equity portfolio company’s acquisition of 14,000 net acres in southeastern Ohio
  • Performed and coordinated due diligence review in connection with the domestic exploration and production company’s acquisition of 47,000 net acres in West Virginia
  • Managed and coordinated due diligence review in connection with a domestic exploration and production company’s acquisition of 90,000 net acres in Ohio
  • Performed and coordinated due diligence review in connection with a leading public company’s coal divestiture of over 300,000 net acres
  • Handled matters involving mineral transactions and acquisitions, including the coordination and performance of due diligence and title defect curative work to assist clients in development efforts
  • Experienced in abstracting and drafting surface, oil, gas, and other energy-related title examinations for energy companies acquiring desired real estate rights
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Licensed In

  • Michigan
  • Ohio
  • Pennsylvania
  • West Virginia

Education

  • J.D. Case Western Reserve University School of Law
  • B.A. College of Wooster

Memberships

  • Ohio Oil and Gas Association
  • Energy & Mineral Law Foundation

Speaking Engagements

  • “Michigan Oil and Gas Update,” 4 Oil & Gas, Nat. Resources & Energy J. 355 (2018)
  • “Michigan Oil and Gas Update,” 3 Oil & Gas, Nat. Resources & Energy J. 729 (2017)
  • “Michigan Oil and Gas Update,” 2 Oil & Gas, Nat. Resources & Energy J. 211 (2016)
  • “Ohio Oil and Gas Update,” 2 Oil & Gas, Nat. Resources & Energy J. 269 (2016)
  • NALTA News, December 2016 edition: Published article titled Ohio Supreme Court Reconciles Application of the 1989 and 2006 Versions of Dormant Mineral Act, by Lyle B. Brown, Timothy M. McKeen & M. Vafa Barissi
  • “Michigan Probate Law,” NADOA
  • “Round Table Probate – North Dakota, Colorado, & Michigan” NADOA
  • “Ohio Oil and Gas Update,” 2 Tex. A&M L. Rev. 265 (2015)
  • “Ohio Oil and Gas Update,” 2 Tex. A&M L. Rev. 285 (2014)
  • “Ohio Oil and Gas Update,” 19 Tex. Wesleyan L. Rev. 503 (2013)
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