In This Section

Biography

Sandy Fraley is a leader in the oil and gas industry with more than 25 years of experience in assessing risks, developing strategies, and reducing legal costs by applying a broad range of legal skills and experience across multiple oil and gas basins. She has a diverse background in managing litigation, advising on challenging legal issues and devising solutions to fit business needs. Her experience as part of senior management teams at leading exploration and production companies brings practical, real-world perspective to her practice. Her experience includes upstream oil and gas agreements, acquisitions and divestitures, exploration, development and joint operating agreements, farmouts, leases, deeds, assignments, easements, mineral title, managing results-driven litigation, and managing legal and land teams.

Memberships & Awards

Professional
The Best Lawyers in America®, Energy Law (2021-Present), Natural Resources Law (2021-Present), Oil and Gas Law (2022-Present)
West Virginia Bar Association
Oklahoma Bar Association
Kentucky Bar Association
Virginia Bar Association
Registered Professional Landman (RPL)

Key Experience

Developed and implemented uniform litigation and risk assessment methodology that enhanced client communications and drove resolutions
Managed large docket of oil and gas-related litigation
Drafted and negotiated exploration, development, joint operating and other agreements related to oil and gas transactions and operations, including farmout, release, master service and contract service agreements and deeds, leases, easements and assignments

Work Experience

2018 Steptoe & Johnson PLLC
2017-2018 Assistant General Counsel, E&P, Chesapeake Energy Corporation
2014-2017 Lead Counsel, E&P, Chesapeake Energy Corporation
2009-2014 Managing Attorney, Chesapeake Energy Corporation
2007-2009 Vice President, Land and Legal and General Counsel, Enervest Operating, LLC
2005-2007 Vice President and General Counsel, Equitable Production Company
2000-2004 Director of Legal Affairs, Equitable Production Company
1999-2000 Attorney, Penn, Stuart & Eskridge
1998 Associate General Counsel, Kentucky West Virginia Gas Company
1996-1998 Senior Attorney, Kentucky West Virginia Gas Company
1991-1996 Staff Attorney, Equitable Production Company