Braden L. Christopher

Member

Biography

Braden (“Brady”) Christopher counsels clients on a wide range of energy law matters, with a particular focus on energy and supply chain transactions. Brady frequently assists clients by negotiating master agreements, conducting due diligence for multi-million-dollar transactions, and drafting essential documents such as contracts, leases, assignments, easements, and purchase and sale agreements. He also advises on emerging energy trends, including solar, carbon storage, and biogas projects, as well as innovative intersections like Bitcoin’s impact on energy markets.

Representative Experience

Negotiated and reviewed over 100 master agreements for supply chain and procurement teams supporting oil and gas production and midstream operations including master service agreements, master supply agreement, master construction service agreements, and master professional service agreements
Resolved numerous supplier and service provider disputes based on the successful assertion of warranty or other contractual rights under master agreements
Drafted management services agreements associated with various projects including machinery management, soil treatment, and sporting facilities
Advised clients on and drafted multiple option agreements for data center projects
Drafted agreements necessary for carbon storage projects including a license agreement for a stratigraphic test well and a pore space lease
Negotiated multiple solar option and lease agreements
Reviewed compressor lease agreement associated with a biogas project
Conducted comprehensive due diligence for multi-million-dollar energy transactions
Collaborated with in-house legal teams and landmen at production and midstream companies to analyze issues and draft appropriate documents such as contracts, deeds, leases, ratifications, assignments, easements, affidavits, mortgage subordination agreements, purchase and sale agreements, settlement agreements, surface use agreements, water sales agreements, road relocation agreements, reclamation agreements, and meter site agreements
Performed title examinations and drafted corresponding title opinions to assist a wide variety of clients in acquiring desired property rights
Represented the seller in a $1 million E&P asset transaction
Acted as counsel for a production company in trade transactions of E&P assets
Litigated land and title matters including approximately 40 partition actions and several missing heirs petitions, working interest declaratory judgment matters, summary proceedings, and disputes over property lines
Drafted numerous complaints, motions, briefs, and legal research memoranda associated with land and title litigation matters
Defended a midstream company in litigation regarding a compressor station, including working directly with the client on substantive and operational issues
Represented clients in litigation involving various contract disputes, including access to a surface estate, recoupment of royalty overpayments, and validity of a forum selection clause

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Licensed In

Michigan
Pennsylvania
West Virginia

Education

J.D. West Virginia University College of Law

B.A. University of Colorado

Memberships

Vice Chair, Institute for Energy Law Oilfield & Energy Services Committee (2026)
Board of Trustees, Energy & Mineral Law Foundation
Leadership Class, Institute for Energy Law, Class of 2024
Advisory Board, Institute for Energy Law

Achievements

The Best Lawyers in America®: Ones to Watch (2021)
CALI Award in Sales and Secured Transactions (Spring 2012)
Senior Editor of the Year, West Virginia Law Review, Vol. 114

Speaking Engagements

“Hydrogen Energy Projects: A Review of Legal Issues,” AAPL Webinar (May 3, 2023)
“Getting Old and Finding a New Lease on Life,” Shale Insight Conference (October 23, 2019)
“Be Careful What You ‘Assume’ – Risks Associated with Oil & Gas Contracts,” IEL Energy Transactions Conference (October 10, 2019)
“Getting Old and Finding a New Lease on Life,” IEL 10th Law of Shale Plays Conference (September 2, 2019)

Publications

“Bitcoin’s Energy Frontier in 2025: Reshaping Markets and Legal Landscapes,” Steptoe & Johnson PLLC Client Alert (October 7, 2025)
“Pennsylvania Joining the United States in Proposing a Bitcoin Strategic Reserve: Implications for the Energy Industry,” Steptoe & Johnson PLLC Client Alert (December 4, 2024)
“US FERC Issues Proposed Rule to Improve Regional Transmission Planning and Related Cost Allocation – Too Little, Too Late?” IEL Energy Law Advisor (July 2022)
“Carbon Capture and Sequestration Forecast for Pennsylvania by a Look at West Virginia’s Recent CCS Statute,” The PIOGA Press (July 2022)
“New Guidance for Unconventional Natural Gas Operators Following Settlement Relating to 25 Pa. Code Chapter 78a,” The PIOGA Press (February 2021)
“Medical Marijuana in Pennsylvania: What Employers Should Know,” The PIOGA Press (February 3, 2020)
Senior Editor, West Virginia Law Review, Vol. 114
Associate Editor, West Virginia Law Review, Vol. 113

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Bitcoin’s Energy Frontier: Reshaping Markets and Legal Landscap...

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