Leases for Landowners
Producers are leasing land across the Commonwealth. Opportunists are offering to be agents for large fees to flip leases to producers. Pipeline companies are seeking easements. Before signing anything, you should understand: What surface and underground rights you are signing away? How are your royalties calculated? What taxes will you pay? What is the primary term? How will producers extend that term? What does pooling and unitization mean to an owner? What can happen to your surface, including its market value and ability to mortgage? Oil and gas documents are complex and rarely formulaic. Seeking experienced counsel before you sign them is a prudent decision.

Litigation
Marcellus is a boon to our economy. With so much money involved, there will be disputes over mineral & gas rights, lease terms, property damage, and environmental remediation. Our attorneys can review old leases to determine if it is they are still enforceable or whether a new lease can be made to reap higher signing bonuses, royalty percentages, shut-in fees and a variety of protections that are being offered, and, if necessary, litigate on your behalf.

Estate Issues
Our lawyers have long been experienced in assisting individuals in transferring wealth from generation to generation at the lowest income and estate tax cost. Marcellus bonus payments and royalties are no different. Whether you own 10 acres or 10,000 acres, Rothman Gordon’s attorneys can assist you in developing a plan to pass this wealth on to future generations and minimize the tax implications. Corporate Our seasoned corporate attorneys have represented scores of business owners and entrepreneurs over our firm’s nearly sixty years in existence. Whether you are an existing business that is positioned in environmental remediation, trucking, waste disposal, general construction and the trades, or dream of starting a business to take advantage of our current time’s “gold rush,” we can help you navigate the way.

Our experience includes:

• Assisting landowners in negotiating oil and gas leases and a variety of other agreements.
• Representing landowners in disputes with others over gas and oil ownership.
• Setting up Family Limited Partnerships (FLPs) and/or Trusts to own properties and distribute royalties.
• Representation of a landowner where the drilling operator did not act in good faith, by bringing an action for declaratory relief and ejection.
• Representation of four parties with 20-50 year old leases with regard to severability of gas rights.