Buchanan Adds Two to Its Roster of Experienced Oil and Gas/Marcellus Shale Attorneys and Government Relations Professionals
Pittsburgh, PA, October 12, 2010 — Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney recently added shareholder Carl F. Staiger and associate Shawn Gallagher to the firm's Oil and Gas / Marcellus Shale Practice. Over the past year, the group, which includes more than 80 members practicing throughout the areas encompassed within the Marcellus Shale, has added former Pennsylvania Public Utility Commissioner Kim Pizzingrilli and recognized energy tax shareholder Chuck Potter.
"The firm has been serving clients in the oil and gas industry for decades," stated Jack Barbour, Buchanan's CEO. "And because we can provide industry-specific legal counsel across a broad spectrum of practices, we have seen a steady increase in the amount of work this group has brought in," he added.
During 2010 alone, Buchanan has represented clients in transactions with an aggregate value of over $10 billion. "Because we have people with relevant oil and gas experience located throughout the Marcellus region, we can really serve as a 'one-stop shop' for companies and even out-of-market law firms who are doing business in the Appalachian Basin" stated Sean Moran, who has led the firm's Oil and Gas Practice since 2008.
Staiger concentrates his practice in corporate and securities law and taxation, with an emphasis in oil and gas matters. He represents oil and gas producers and property owners in connection with the acquisition and disposition of oil and gas interests, joint development and exploration agreements, mineral conveyances, drilling agreements, services agreements, regulatory matters, dispute resolution and related tax planning.
Prior to joining Buchanan, Staiger was a partner in the Corporate Department of Dinsmore & Shohl LLP's Pittsburgh office. Earlier this year, Staiger represented Rice Energy LP, and Buchanan represented client Alpha Natural Resources, Inc., in the companies' formation of a 50/50 joint venture to develop Marcellus Shale gas resources in southwestern Pennsylvania, where they control nearly 20,000 acres in one of the Marcellus' most productive regions.
Gallagher represents both private and public clients on a variety of matters, with particular emphasis on land use, zoning, energy, environmental and land development matters. He has served as a solicitor for several townships, boroughs, municipal authorities and zoning hearing boards, and also has served as special counsel to several municipal entities with respect to environmental and land use matters. Gallagher serves as chair of the Allegheny County Bar Association's Environmental Law Section and is a member of the Legislative Subcommittee of the Marcellus Shale Coalition.
Roberts serves a broad spectrum of energy clients on labor and employment as well as state and federal regulatory matters. He recently moved from Austin, TX, where he was an associate with Vinson & Elkins.
With the majority of its 450 attorneys and government relations professionals situated in offices throughout the Marcellus Shale play, Buchanan is one of the leading law firms in providing a full range of services to the oil and gas industry across the nation. The firm represents a broad spectrum of industry players, including international petroleum companies, energy service companies, exploration, drilling and development companies, financial institutions, equity funds and royalty trusts, public utilities, refiners, transportation and pipeline companies and chemical companies.