Description:
Job Description:This Land Operations Attorney is responsible for the independent legal review of title opinions and other documents associated w/ subsurface and surface development, confirming the ownership, identifying associated operational risks, and coordinating the resolution/mitigation of risks to approve title for development. In addition, this role may work with departments like Division Orders, Acquisitions and Land Records to manage deliverables and full life-cycle title issues like suspense and litigation. This role is 5 days on-site in Canonsburg, PA.
Target Responsibilities
- Independently analyze title opinions, abstracts, exploration agreements (e.g. Farm-Outs, Farm-Ins, JOAs, AMIs, etc.) and other documents related to surface and subsurface development to determine ownership and any risks associated with title.
- Must be able to identify risks, develop curative/mitigation recommendations, advise the appropriate departments and coordinate the resolution of the curative/mitigation recommendations.
- Support Land Acquisitions by interpreting language and drafting various agreements (e.g. leases, deeds, amendments and ratifications, pooling declarations).
- Support Land Acquisitions by approving title for payment for lease and fee acquisitions.
- Review heirship documents to confirm current ownership.
- Calculate Net Revenue Interest, Working Interest and other related calculations associated with ownership in the oil and gas unit.
- Provide support to Division Orders to assist w/ royalty distribution.
- Manage relationships with outside counsel and other vendors/brokers.
- Draft legal memoranda to assist with resolution of title issues.
- Work with Legal and outside counsel to support and resolve title litigation.
- Occasionally support third party transactions by managing and performing due diligence for land transactions.
- Provide support to Business Development and Legal for special projects, as needed.
- Maintain confidentiality in the handling of all business activities.
- Additional duties as directed or assigned.
- Serve as a steward of the CNX Mission and Core Values (Responsibility, Ownership and Excellence).
Minimum Requirements:
- Juris Doctorate (JD) from an accredited law school.
- Member in good standing of the Pennsylvania or West Virginia state bar. (Candidate must not have been disbarred from any jurisdiction or allowed to voluntarily surrender a bar membership while under investigation or in the face of public allegations alleging improper, criminal or unethical behavior.)
- At least 5-7 years oil and gas title experience including but not limited to: abstracting, title opinion reviewing and/or drafting and title curative resolution. In-house experience at an oil and gas operator preferred with some experience with management responsibilities.
- Strong understanding of laws relating to oil and gas title in Pennsylvania & West Virginia.
- Strong understanding of Pennsylvania and West Virginia laws of descent and distribution.
- Ability to successfully function in a collegial team environment.
- Must possess the ability to manage the review and curative progress of numerous units at a time with a high degree of autonomy.
- Must possess fine attention to detail and thoroughness.
- Must possess effective verbal and written communication skills.
- Must possess effective math skills and ability to calculate Net Revenue Interest and
- Working Interest on a tract, lease and production unit basis.
- Must possess basic computer skills – Excel, Word and PowerPoint.
- Must possess a basic understanding of geographic, surveying and mapping skills.
