Marcellus Shale Leasing Transaction

Ongoing legal services for the sole representative of a large landowners group in a $126 million leasing transaction of Marcellus Shale oil and gas rights covering approximately 35,000 acres of property located in north central West Virginia, with nearly $93 million distributed to landowners to date as initial lease bonus payments. The closing of a companion transaction involving approximately 16,500 acres on the same lease terms and conditions, including lease bonus payments, has been postponed and the brokerage company which holds options on the subject leases has engaged litigation counsel to pursue an appropriate remedy, including specific performance. Part of the ongoing services will include monitoring that litigation. Services included drafting the lease agreement used by the landowners group with the group representative, as well as reviewing and assisting with the negotiation and finalization of the respective purchase and sale agreements and related documents.