Oil & Gas

Northeastern Ohio is in the midst of an oil and gas boom unlike anything this region has previously experienced.  Oil and gas opportunities can be very profitable for landowners but are also fraught with risk. 

Landowners often think of signing an oil and gas lease as the final step of a transaction.  In fact, signing an oil and gas lease is the first step in a journey of opportunity.  Harrington, Hoppe and Mitchell has the resources and experience to help landowners make their journeys profitable while avoiding pitfalls along the way. 

Joining a Landowner Group

HHM helps organize and negotiate for groups of landowners who want to secure fair terms when leasing their land for oil & gas exploration. We have represented groups with as many as 100,000+ acres of land and have also counseled much smaller groups. If you are interested in joining one our landowner groups, email us here.

Oil & Gas Group Capabilities

HHM’s Oil & Gas Law Practice Group provides counsel and service on lease negotiations, landowner group formation, title matters, business formations, dispute resolution and litigation and much more.  Read about all of our capabilities on our Oil & Gas Law Practice Group page.

Oil & Gas Group Attorneys

Alan D. Wenger, Chair
HHM Oil & Gas Law Practice Group
Read Alan’s bio. Email Alan here.

Christopher J. Baronzzi
HHM Oil & Gas Law Practice Group
Read Chris’s bio. Email Chris here.

Kevin P. Murphy
HHM Oil & Gas Law Practice Group
Read Kevin’s bio. Email Kevin here.

Thomas G. Carey
HHM Oil & Gas Law Practice Group
Read Tom’s bio. Email Tom here.

Stephen P. Kocon
HHM Oil & Gas Law Practice Group
Read Stephen’s bio. Email Stephen here.
 

Resources 

Sample lease with notes: This lease was prepared for the Associated Landowners of the Mahoning Valley, a group of Ohio landowners who negotiated with an energy company for fair pricing and terms. It includes notes that call out some (but not all) of the ways the lease differs from standard form leases often advanced by energy companies.  

Oil & Gas Group in the News

Feb. 19, 2012 - Mill Creek Park Board Vets Options (Vindicator), quoting Alan D. Wenger

Feb. 10, 2012 - Experts Advise Doing 'Due Diligence' (Daily Legal News), quoting Alan D. Wenger

Feb. 3, 2012 - Southwest Coschocton Landowners Association (gomarcellusshale.com), meeting report

Jan. 5, 2012 - Quakes Jeopardize Ohio City's Economic Recovery (NPR News), quoting Alan D. Wenger

Dec. 30, 2011 - Landowners Urged to Put Deals into Escrow (Vindicator), quoting Christopher J. Baronzzi

Dec. 29, 2011 - Lease Protects Landowners from Water Issues (Vindicator), quoting Christopher J. Baronzzi

Dec. 28, 2011 - Oil and Gas Leases: Learn How to Reap Benefits (Vindicator), quoting Alan D. Wenger

Dec. 27, 2011 - Landowners Urged to Beware of Selling Mineral Rights (Vindicator), quoting Alan D. Wenger

Dec. 26, 2011 - Shale Leasing: Gushing in Deals (Vindicator), quoting Alan D. Wenger

Dec. 1, 2011 - Rights Leasing Could Affect Real Estate Market (WKBN TV), quoting Alan D. Wenger

Nov. 30, 2011 - Oil & Gas News Videos (Vindicator Shale Sheet) 

• Fracking Chemicals, featuring Christopher J. Baronzzi
• When All Else Fails, featuring Christopher J. Baronzzi
• Standard Lease Agreements, featuring Alan D. Wenger
• Taxation of Leases, featuring Christopher J. Baronzzi
• Leasing Vs. Selling, featuring Alan D. Wenger

Nov. 28, 2011 – Attorney Talks About Property Rights (WKBN Radio), featuring Alan D. Wenger

Nov. 21, 2011 - Before Signing with Broker, Get Facts (Vindicator), quoting Alan D. Wenger

Nov. 20, 2011 - Details on Drilling Leases Attract Crowd (Tribune), quoting Alan D. Wenger

Oct. 25, 2011 - Chesapeake Secures Utica Drilling Rights (Business Journal), quoting Alan D. Wenger

July 15, 2011 – Environmental Issues Make Drilling Boom Controversial (WKSU), quoting Alan D. Wenger

July 14, 2011 – Shale Gas Could Fuel Economic Revitalization (WKSU), quoting Alan D. Wenger

July 14, 2011 – Breaking Down Beliefs About ‘Fracking’ in Ohio (Ideastream), quoting Alan D. Wenger

June 29, 2011 - Water Contamination is Concern in Drilling (Vindicator), quoting Christopher J. Baronzzi

June 28, 2011 – Residents Get Lesson in Leasing Land (WKBN TV), quoting Alan D. Wenger

June 20, 2011 – Landowners Lose Cash, Rights in Some Deals (Vindicator), quoting Alan D. Wenger

June 10, 2011 – Use Caution When Selling Rights, Lawyer Warns (Farm & Dairy), quoting Alan D. Wenger

Nov. 14, 2010 - Gas-Leasing Boom Leads Residents to Fend for Themselves (Vindicator), mentioning HHM

Oct. 7, 2010 - Firm Plans Additional Meeting for Shale Concerns (WYTV), quoting Alan D. Wenger

Sept. 29, 2010 – Marcellus Shale Seminars Scheduled (Morning Journal), quoting Alan D. Wenger