Countless attorneys interested in mineral (and now renewable energy) development have graduated from law school and decided to leave or forego the practice of law to work in land departments or as landmen. The work of landmen, however, is not always so different than that of lawyers. In addition to reviewing or abstracting title documents and often making or assisting with business decisions, landmen advise on legal rights and obligations and prepare documents that require legal knowledge. This presentation will cover ethical considerations and provide a framework for ethical decision making for lawyers working as landmen, discuss the few cases where landmen or related professionals were found to be practicing law, and look at landmen licensing requirements. In addition to unauthorized practice of law, the speakers will discuss confidentiality obligations, competency, legal privilege, and dealing with unrepresented parties such as landowners and government officials, with a focus on the ABA Model Rules of Professional Conduct and the AAPL Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice.
Video presentation from the 70th Annual Natural Resources and Energy Law Institute.
1 CLE Credit – Approval ID:
CO ID - 849637, and 1 Ethics Credit
This course has been accredited for CLE credit in Colorado. CLE credit hours shown are for Colorado only. A CLE course number for Colorado will be provided to attendees on their certificates of attendance once a course has been completed. New Mexico attorneys who complete a course must notify us (cle@rmmlf.org) because we are required to report credits for you. If this course has been approved for RPL/CPL credit with the American Association of Professional Landmen (AAPL), the credits will be listed below in a separate section for AAPL. If applicable, Component Codes for AAPL recertification will also be provided. Please contact RMMLF if you need independent verification by the provider of your attendance or participation for CLE purposes. Except as provided above, RMMLF generally does not apply for accreditation from any other MCLE/CPD organizations for its online legal education program. Upon completion of a program a certificate of attendance will be issued to all attendees. Except as provided above, attendees must verify with their respective state bars and CPD organizations and their specific rules as to whether or not the certificate of attendance will be recognized by that body for MCLE/CPD purposes, and the number of CLE/CPD credits that may be available. The live presentation of the on-demand program has been accredited in most mandatory states as part of a larger course, but such accreditation does not assure recognition of the on-demand program.
ANDREW GOOD is a Partner at Olvia Gibbs LLP in Columbus, Ohio. He represents companies active in the oil and gas industry in both litigation and arbitration matters, from risk management to trial. He also advises clients on compliance and regulatory issues, contract drafting, and handles proceedings in front of administrative agencies, including the Ohio Department of Natural Resources and the Ohio Department of Commerce. In addition to his energy practice, Andrew has broad experience in commercial and business litigation, including breach of contract and lease claims, construction disputes, non-compete and non-solicitation disputes, trade secrets, business torts, and real property-related claims. He is OSHA certified in Construction Safety and Health and has drafted and reviewed numerous construction contracts. With over a decade of experience, Andrew has handled hundreds of cases that involved investigating claims, preparing and responding to motions, and conducting depositions. Likewise, he has tried multiple cases to verdict, arbitrated numerous matters, handled appeals, and favorably resolved complex cases through mediation. By combining his legal experience with an in-depth understanding of industry and state-specific issues, Andrew provides clients with practical and effective strategies.
KATIE L. MONROE is currently the Director of Land Administration for Greylock Energy in Charleston, West Virginia. Ms. Monroe is an accomplished attorney and land professional with diverse experience in the energy industry spanning coal, oil and gas, and interstate transmission pipelines. She is a member of a number of professional organizations, including the American Bar Association Real Property, Probate and Trust Law section, the West Virginia State Bar Probate Committee, Michael Late Benedum Chapter of the AAPL, and is a Past President of the Charleston Estate Planning Council. She is admitted to practice in West Virginia, Pennsylvania, West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals, U.S. District Court for the Southern District of West Virginia, and the United States Supreme Court. Katie earned her B.A., magna cum laude, from West Virginia Wesleyan College and her J.D. from West Virginia University College of Law. She has been a speaker at various industry events including various National Business Institute CLE seminars, the West Virginia Tax Institute, MBLC of the AAPL, and the Huntingon Estate Planning Council.
If available, this course will include materials (PowerPoints presentations and scholarly papers) authored by the speaker or speakers.
