Sharon O. Flanery
Member, Chair, Energy & Natural Resources Dept.
(304) 353-8155
sharon.flanery@steptoe-johnson.com
Office: Charleston
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J.D. Duquesne University
B.S. West Virginia University
Licensure: OH | PA | WV
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Biography

Sharon Flanery concentrates her practice in the areas of energy and natural resources law and Chairs the firm's Energy & Natural Resources Department.  As a petroleum engineer with both an operating and a legal background in the industry, she brings real-world experience to her practice. This experience includes acquisitions and divestitures, mineral leases, joint ventures, contract mining agreements, joint operating agreements, and sales and marketing agreements, as well as gathering, transportation, and processing agreements. In addition, she has substantial experience in land and legal due diligence associated with mineral transactions, as well as in the legislative and regulatory arenas. Her general property background includes leases, rights of way, deeds, land use, and damage issues.  Flanery is also a member of the advisory board of the WVU College of Law Center for Energy and Sustainable Development.

Work Experience

2004 Steptoe & Johnson PLLC, Charleston, WV
2001-2003 Vice President, Exploration, Columbia Natural Resources, Charleston, WV
1998-2001 AGC, Columbia Gas Transmission Corp., NiSource Corporate Services Company, Charleston, WV
1993-1998 Legal Department, CONSOL Energy, Pittsburgh, PA
1991-1993 Attorney, Thorp, Reed & Armstrong, Pittsburgh, PA
1987-1990 Reservoir & Production Engineering Supervisor, CNG Development, Pittsburgh, PA
1983-1985 Reservoir Engineer, Aramco, Saudi Arabia
1978-1982 Special Projects Engineer, Columbia Gas Transmission, Charleston, WV

Speaking Engagements

Guest Speaker, All-female Summer Camp, Benjamin M. Statler College of Engineering and Mineral Resources, West Virginia University, July 2014

"Overview of Pooling Affecting Appalachian Shale Development," EMLF Annual Institute, May 2011

Co-author, "Recent Legal Developments in Carbon Sequestration," 2008 Society of Petroleum Engineers Eastern Regional/American Association of Petroleum Geologists Eastern Section Joint Meeting

Co-author, "The Balancing of Coal and Coalbed Methane Interests Within the Coalbed Methane Statutory Schemes of Virginia, West Virginia and Kentucky," Journal of Natural Resources & Environmental Law, University of Kentucky College of Law, 2004-2005

Key Experience

Reorganization of a Fortune 500 energy company into separate coal and oil and gas companies
Leads teams responsible for asset and stock transactions, lease transactions, and property due diligence projects involving over 3,000,000 gross acres
Led team drafting a multi-million dollar supply agreement for the production and sale of biomass to an electric generating plant, which involved traditional contract issues, clean air and greenhouse gas regulations, potential tax credits and subsidies for renewable energy sources, corporate tax, and intellectual property.

Memberships & Awards

Professional
John L. McClaugherty Award for Dedication and Service, Energy & Mineral Law Foundation, 2017
Law 360 Female Powerbroker
United States Patent and Trademark License
Past President, Energy & Mineral Law Foundation, 2013-2014
Chambers USA America's Leading Lawyers for Business, Band One Leading Lawyer, Natural Resources
The Best Lawyers in America®
Best Lawyers® 2019 Charleston, WV, Mining Law, Lawyer of the Year
Best Lawyers® 2018 Charleston, WV, Oil and Gas Law, Lawyer of the Year
Best Lawyers® 2016 Charleston, WV, Energy Law, Lawyer of the Year
Best Lawyers® Charleston, WV, Lawyer of the Year 2011
Super Lawyers®
Outstanding Alumni of the Year, WVU Mineral & Energy Resources Department
Guest Lecturer, Distinguished Lecture Series, WVU College of Engineering and Mineral Resources
Duquesne University Law Review
Graduated cum laude, West Virginia University, Petroleum Engineering
Executive Committee, Institute for Energy Law
WVU College of Engineering and Mineral Resources Visiting Committee
Peer Review Rated AV by Martindale-Hubbell
Chair, Energy Law Committee, West Virginia State Bar
Energy & Mineral Law Foundation Trustee
Advisory Board, WVU College of Law Center for Energy and Sustainable Development
Industry/Civic
Chair, Oil and Gas Practice Committee, Institute for Energy Law
Executive Committee, Institute for Energy Law
Past Director, North American Coalbed Methane Forum
Independent Petroleum Association of America
GABALTA
Past Board Member, West Virginia Chamber of Commerce
Past President, Alumni Association WVU Minerals & Energy Resources Department
The West Virginia Symphony Board of Directors
Women's Energy Network