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Biography

Kurt Dettinger is a trusted advisor to senior executives in major corporations operating in the oil and gas, gaming, technology, insurance, energy, capital markets, healthcare, finance, pharmaceutical, manufacturing, emergency response, hospitality and economic development industries.  In many of these industries, clients call upon him to not only provide legal advice essential to their decision-making, but to also interface with policymakers to guide their strategic initiatives through governmental processes. Mr. Dettinger’s legal practice is focused on transactional and regulatory matters, and his government relations practice is focused on the legislative and executive branches of West Virginia state government where he represents clients before both chambers of the West Virginia Legislature, the Governor’s office and executive-branch agencies.  His perspective on how to approach an issue is shaped by his substantial legal experience, business acumen, strategic vision, and policy knowledge.  Mr. Dettinger leads the Firm’s Government Relations practice and is the Practice Group Leader of the Firm’s Energy Policy and Project Finance practice group.  His legal experience includes both private and public-sector service, and he invests himself fully in helping clients achieve goals that are essential to the success of their business interests.

Memberships & Awards

Professional
Trustee and Chairman of Legal Committee, West Virginia Investment Management Board (appointed by Governor Tomblin for a six-year term: 2013-2019)
The Best Lawyers in America®, Energy Law (2021-Present), Government Relations Practice (2018-Present), Natural Resources Law (2021-Present)
National Association of Bond Lawyers
Energy & Mineral Law Foundation
West Virginia Society of Certified Public Accountants
West Virginia State Bar

Key Experience

Represented Fortune 500 company in realigning its mineral ownership in conjunction with a pre-divestiture restructuring
Represented Fortune 500 company in the acquisition of natural gas wells, working interests, and operating rights throughout the Appalachian Basin
Represented various exploration and production companies in acquisition and divestiture transactions

Work Experience

2012 Steptoe & Johnson PLLC
2010-2012 General Counsel to Governor Earl Ray Tomblin
2003-2010 Lewis, Glasser, Casey & Rollins

Speaking Engagements

"Pooling in West Virginia - A Historical and Prospective Analysis," WVONGA Fall Meeting, Roanoke, WV, September 2012

"Investments and Opportunities Related To Marcellus Drilling in West Virginia" - Marcellus and Utica Shale Conference and Expo, The Greenbrier Resort, White Sulphur Springs, WV, April 1-3, 2012

"Transaction Documents in Shale Gas Transactions - a Panel Discussion," Steptoe & Johnson Acquisition & Disposition Seminar, 2012

Written and oral testimony regarding development of the Marcellus Shale in West Virginia - U.S. Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, Charleston, WV, November 14, 2011

"West Virginia's Approach To Attracting Ethane Cracker Investments" - Stonewall Jackson Resort, Roanoke, WV, Fall 2011

"Evaluating The Market For Marcellus Ethane - West Virginia's Approach" - NGL Shale Infrastructure Conference, Canonsburg, PA, August 24-25, 2011

Contributing author, "Survey of Developments in the Law of West Virginia: 2001 Part One," 104 W. Va. L. Rev. 632, (2002)