May 31, 2011 – Attorney John M. Smith was published in Duquesne University's Law Review entitled "The Prodigal Son Returns: Oil and Gas Drillers Return to Pennsylvania with a Vengeance Are Municipalities Prepared?" Volume 49, Number 1, Winter 2011. The article examines the current relationship between state and local regulation of the oil and gas industry in Pennsylvania and the need for increased local regulatory powers in light of the glaring inadequacies of state law for purposes of Marcellus Shale production and development.
May 27, 2011 – Attorney John M. Smith was a presenter at the Washington County Bar Association regarding oil and gas litigation matters. Attorney Smith's presentation was part of the Bar Association's Continued Legal Education (CLE) program.
May 26, 2011 – Attorney Kendra L. Smith was quoted in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette newspaper for her involvement in the representation of a client pursuing a lawsuit against the Department of Environmental Protection. Link
April 23, 2011 – Attorney John M. Smith was featured in the Observer Reporter and quoted in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette as solicitor for Cecil Township. Attorney Smith helped craft a conditional use ordinance for Cecil Township which will serve to provide the township more local control over the oil/gas drilling process. Attorney Smith also drafted an ordinance for Mt. Pleasant Township regulating drilling in the township. Link
April 14, 2011 – Attorney Thomas M. Butz and Attorney John M. Smith recently spoke before Sewickley Natural Areas Network. Attorney Butz and Attorney Smith discussed gas leasing, regulation, and estate planning for leaseholders. Both discussed information to consider when leasing oil, gas, and other minerals, such as royalty payments, bonus monies, and the actual lease terms which can dictate how an oil and gas company can treat the land while producing the gas beneath it.
April 13, 2011 – Attorney John M. Smith was cited in the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review and quoted by WDUQ on its NPR station for his involvement in Mt. Pleasant Township as solicitor and special environmental counsel. At a public hearing, Attorney Smith discussed various protective measures that can be implemented by local municipalities to better oversee the industry. To do so, Attorney Smith is working with different Townships and oil/gas companies to draft new ordinances. Link
March 29, 2011 – Attorney John M. Smith and Attorney Christopher W. Rogers presented information in Ligonier, Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, regarding oil and gas leases. Listeners were made aware of various points of interest to consider when approached with signing a lease. Landowners need to understand their rights and how to protect those rights legally. Attorney Rogers also touched on the current Pennsylvania law surrounding oil and gas issues, and Attorney Smith discussed local municipality regulations to consider.
March 26, 2011 – Attorney John M. Smith was recognized in the Observer Reporter for being appointed as special legal counsel for oil and gas issues for Mt. Pleasant Township. Attorney Smith was selected by Mt. Pleasant Township Board of Supervisors meeting. Attorney Smith will draft and prepare various oil/gas ordinances for the Township. link
March 10, 2011 – Attorney Christopher W. Rogers spoke to the Muskingum Watershed Conservancy District in Ohio regarding the Utica Shale. The Utica Shale is a rock layer located under the Marcellus Shale. Although much deeper than the Marcellus Shale, the Utica Shale will likely be another source of natural gas in the future. Leasing and drilling of the Utica Shale has already taken place in eastern Ohio and parts of Ontario, Canada. The production of natural gas from these wells provides companies with enormous quantities of natural gas.
March 5, 2011 – Attorney John M. Smith was quoted in the Observer Reporter with his involvement in Robinson Township's zoning hearing board regarding a gas processing facility. Discussions are still being held to discuss subdivision and land development ordinance violations. link
February 5, 2011 – Attorney Thomas M. Butz and Attorney John M. Smith spoke to NARO, the National Association of Royalty Owners, in Wellsville, Ohio, regarding leasing and estate planning for oil and gas leaseholders. Attorney Butz discussed various options for protecting the value of subsurface estates from creditors and other associated unforeseen expenses. In addition, Attorney Butz and Attorney Smith discussed appraisal values and tax implications when landowners, upon death, leave their estate to a family member.
January 20, 2011 – Attorney Thomas M. Butz spoke at the Estate Planning Counsel of Pittsburgh regarding estate planning for oil and gas leaseholders. Attorney Butz discussed proper guidance for dealing with the positive monetary effects of gas extraction on a landowner's property. Topic of discussion also included ensuring that landowners' loved ones can enjoy the monetary benefits from royalties in the future.
January 19, 2011 – Smith Butz, LLC was featured in a case study entitled "Federal District Court Denies Dismissal of Landowner Lawsuit Against Gas Company" by the Pennsylvania State University Dickinson School of Law. The case, Valentino v. Range Resources – Appalachia, LLC, dealt with royalty payment conflicts and the Marcellus Shale when Smith Butz represented gas owners who alleged that Range Resources breached its lease agreement by failing to remit payment. link
November 24, 2010 – Attorney Brendan A. O'Donnell joined Smith Butz, LLC as an Associate Attorney and will practice in the firm's Commercial Litigation and Oil and Gas departments. O'Donnell graduated cum laude from the University of Pittsburgh School of Law, where he served as Business Manager of the University of Pittsburgh Law Review. Attorney O'Donnell is also a member of the Order of the Coif.
November 17, 2010 – Attorney Christopher W. Rogers was selected to serve on a panel of arbitrators for Washington County Common Pleas Court. The case involved a dispute over damage to real property.
November 4, 2010 – Attorney John M. Smith was quoted in the Observer Reporter as Solicitor of Cecil Township with his involvement in amending the Township's drilling ordinance.
October 10, 2010 – As an invited speaker at the Allegheny County Fall Conference of Townships, Boroughs, and Authorities, Attorney John M. Smith was quoted in the Conference's newsletter with regards to oil and gas drilling.
October 8, 2010 - Attorney Thomas M. Butz and Attorney John M. Smith were invited speakers at the 2010 National Association of Royalty Owners (NARO) conference held at the Pittsburgh Airport Hyatt. Attorney Butz explained estate planning issues that royalty owners may face, while Attorney Smith spoke mainly about gas leasing concerns and local regulations. The successful presentation was referred to by NARO as, "What you need to know to get the best possible lease terms."
NARO is the only national organization that seeks to promote the rights and responsibilities of individuals who own the natural resources of our nation. With six chartered state organizations, NARO provides education, political action and state conventions in an effort to continue its traditions.
October 6, 2010 – Attorney John M. Smith was quoted in the Observer Reporter. As Solicitor of Cecil Township, Attorney Smith helped Cecil Township approve a seismic testing ordinance. Cecil Township was the first township in Washington County to regulate oil and gas drilling, and now it is the first to regulate seismic testing.
October 6, 2010 - As announced in the Observer-Reporter, Peter's Township is considering engaging Smith Butz as a possible consultant to negotiate a possible oil and gas lease on behalf of the Township. Link
September 30, 2010 – Attorney John M. Smith was an invited speaker at the Allegheny County Fall Conference of Townships, Boroughs, and Authorities held at Seven Springs Resort. At the conference, Attorney Smith spoke extensively about Marcellus Gas Drilling issues and about the need for local regulation of the oil and gas industry. Having drafted the first comprehensive oil and gas ordinance in Pennsylvania, Attorney Smith spoke to elected officials in Allegheny County regarding why their respective municipalities should enact local regulation and the items that they can and should regulate.
August 10, 2010 - Attorney Kendra L. Smith was recently admitted to the Ohio State Bar. Attorney Smith is now licensed to practice in Pennsylvania, West Virginia, New Jersey, and Ohio.
August 5, 2010 – Attorney Thomas M. Butz and Attorney John M. Smith were invited to speak at the North Fayette Township Oil and Gas informational meeting scheduled for Tuesday, August 31, 2010 at Pittsburgh Technical Institute. At the meeting, Attorney Butz and Attorney Smith will be discussing issues surrounding Marcellus Shale gas leasing and local regulations.
August 4, 2010– As Solicitor for Cecil Township, Attorney John M. Smith was recently quoted in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette for his involvement in drafting the first zoning ordinance regarding the Marcellus Shale gas drilling for the Township. Other local townships are referring to Cecil's ordinance for guidance in drafting similar ordinances. Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Attorney Smith was also quoted in the Almanac for his involvement in and knowledge of gas drilling. Almanac.
July 15, 2010 – Attorneys Thomas M. Butz and John M. Smith were featured speakers at a Marcellus Shale Gas event held at the Pennsylvania State University New Kensington campus. The attorneys spoke on surface protection issues as well as Estate Planning concerns relative to Oil and Gas leases and royalty payments.
July 15, 2010 – Attorney Kendra L. Smith was recognized in the "Southpointe Today", an Observer-Reporter magazine, for her role as a Board Member of the "POWER of Southpointe".
July 14, 2010 – Attorney John M. Smith was quoted in the Almanac regarding gas lease issues and concerns. The article was entitled Marcellus Shale Presents Potential Economic Boost for Region". Link
July 8, 2010 – Smith Butz, LLC announces that it will be expanding its Southpointe office. Due to a need to better service, its existing clients, and future clientele, Managing Partner, Thomas M. Butz has announced that the firm will increase its Southpointe presence by nearly doubling its existing office space. "With such diverse practice areas, our clients regularly call upon our lawyers to provide legal services regarding Estate Planning and Administration, Corporate, Litigation, and Oil and Gas issues, to name but a few. As our clientele continues to grow, we have decided to expand our footprint in Southpointe to better service our clients' needs." Expansion should be completed by the Fall of 2010.
June 30, 2010 - Attorney Thomas M. Butz was recently admitted to the West Virginia State Bar. Attorney Butz is now licensed to practice in Pennsylvania and West Virginia.
June 15, 2010 – Attorney Brian A. Lawton was invited to speak on the topic of business strategy options at a seminar sponsored by Enterprise Bank and the Service Corporation of Retired Executives on September 9, 2010.
June 13, 2010 – Attorney Brain A. Lawton recently obtained a favorable decision for a landowner in the United States District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania in a case regarding the validity and enforceability of an oil and gas lease.
May 15, 2010 – Attorney John M. Smith was recently invited to speak at the Natural Gas Drilling Workshop for Municipal Officials on May 15th. Sponsored by State Representative Jesse White, the workshop was held at the Cecil Township Municipal Building. Attorney Smith spoke about municipal ordinances regarding oil and gas production.
May 8, 2010 – Attorney Kendra L. Smith was recently featured in the CCAC Spring 2010 Newsletter. The article featuring Attorney Smith explained her background, legal areas of practice, and provided insight on achieving success in a male-dominated work environment.
May 1, 2010 – Attorney John M. Smith was recently appointed as Solicitor of Robinson Township, Washington County. Having previously served the Township in the capacity as "Special Counsel" for oil/gas issues, the Robinson Township Board of Supervisors recently voted to appoint Attorney John M. Smith as full-time Township Solicitor. Attorney Smith will be responsible for providing legal advice on all legal issues encountered by the Township.
March 24, 2010 - Attorney John M. Smith was instrumental in drafting the first comprehensive Oil and Gas Drilling Ordinance in Pennsylvania. As Solicitor for Cecil Township, Attorney Smith drafted legislation which allows drilling to take place in the Township but provides protections for citizens who are impacted by drilling activities. The ordinance has resulted in Cecil Township being the first municipality in Pennsylvania to have sound walls installed at drill sites. Observer Reporter
March 22, 2010 - Attorney Kendra L. Smith was appointed to the Board of Directors of the recently formed "POWER of Southpointe". POWER of Southpointe is a women's networking group that provides professional women a forum for network opportunities in the fast growing Southpointe Business Park and surrounding communities.
March 15, 2010 - Attorney Kendra L. Smith addressed numerous students and faculty members providing insight on how women can succeed in a male dominated work environment. Attorney Smith provided students an opportunity to hear first hand a female attorney's perspective on how to practice law and balancing raising a family with young children. Attorney Smith was warmly received and the students and faculty alike greatly appreciated her time and the information she imparted. CCAC letter
March 14, 2010 - Attorney John M. Smith was quoted in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette regarding issues with the expansion of a Gas Compression Station in Mt. Pleasant Township. Attorney Smith represented landowners who currently live adjacent to Gas Compressor Stations in Mt. Pleasant Township. Attorney Smith attended a Zoning Hearing attempting to ensure the implementation of proper safeguards were put in place. Post Gazette
March 11, 2010 - Attorney Brian A. Lawton was invited and recently attended the Western Pennsylvania Association of SBA – Guaranteed Lenders (W.P.A.S.G.L.) Small Business Leaders Conference. For the second straight year, Attorney Lawton attended the "Lenders Quality Circle" at Seven Springs Mountain Resorts in March 2010. The conference discussed issues in SBA Loan Processing, Alternate Financing Resources and Future Trends in Lending.
February/March 2010 - Attorney Thomas M. Butz's article "Estate Planning and Gas Leaseholders" appeared in both the "In Peters Township" and the "In Upper St. Clair" magazines in the Spring 2010 issues. Having intimate knowledge of both Estate Planning and Oil and Gas issues, Attorney Butz's background allows him to provide proper guidance for individuals who must address estate planning concerns relative to oil and gas leases and royalty payments. Insight
January 8, 2010 - Attorney John M. Smith attended the groundbreaking ceremony for the Frank Sarris Library in Canonsburg and reception at the Southpointe Golf Club. As volunteer legal counsel for the Greater Canonsburg Library Board, the Board recognized Attorney Smith for his Pro Bono Service and dedication to the construction of the new library.
November 23, 2009 - Attorney John M. Smith was recently appointed by Robinson Township (Washington County) as Special Counsel for oil and gas issues in the Township. Attorney Smith provides legal advice to both municipal governments and individual's regarding oil and gas and leasing issues and has been called upon on numerous occasions to provide legal guidance in this area of law.