In This Section

Biography

Tim McKeen focuses his practice in energy law throughout the Appalachian Basin, specializing in title, due diligence and mineral acquisitions.  Mr. McKeen is the author of the American Association of Professional Landmen's Ohio comparative law article on oil and gas and is a frequent speaker for industry groups on oil and gas issues throughout Ohio, West Virginia and Pennsylvania.  He has also authored several law review articles on Ohio oil and gas issues. 

Mr. McKeen has previously served as the managing member of the firm’s Wheeling office before being elected to the firm’s Executive Committee in 2019.  Mr. McKeen is the leader of the firm's Mineral Title and Energy Real Estate team.   

In 2017, Tim was recognized as one of the 40 under 40 oil and gas professionals in the country by the Oil and Gas Investor magazine.

Memberships & Awards

Professional
Fellow, Ohio State Bar Foundation
Forty Under 40, Oil and Gas Investor, 2017
Chambers USA America's Leading Lawyers for Business
Super Lawyers: The Annual List of Top Attorneys, Virginia & West Virginia 2016 edition, Rising Star in Energy & Natural Resources
Wheeling Rotary Club D. Milt Gutman Award, 2015
Graduated summa cum laude, Wheeling Jesuit University
Graduated cum laude, Washington & Lee University School of Law

Key Experience

Managed large title teams to complete title opinions and due diligence throughout the Appalachian Basin
Consulted with clients regarding title issues and curative requirements to assist in development of horizontal wells
Performed due diligence, undertook curative work and conducted closings in multi-million dollar energy transactions

Work Experience

2006 Steptoe & Johnson PLLC

Speaking Engagements

"I still haven’t found what I am looking for: An overview of the Uniqueness of Title Examination in Ohio” – IRWA International Conference, Cleveland, Ohio – June 2022

“Update on relevant Legal Issues” – panelist – Ohio Oil and Gas Association Annual Meeting, Columbus, Ohio – March 2022

“Reunited and it feels so good: a discussion of dormant mineral acts and other ways to reunite severed minerals with the surface estate” – panelist - The National Association of Division Order Analysts Annual Institute, Ft. Lauderdale, Florida - September 2021

Panelist on Ohio’s Orphan Well Plugging Program – Ohio Oil and Gas Association Annual Meeting, Columbus, Ohio, March 2020

“So Now You’re In Charge? Tips on Organizational Management for Both New and Experienced Managers,” The National Association of Division Order Analysts Annual Institute, Ft. Worth, Texas, September 2019

“Understanding Ohio Title in a Post Urban Meyer Era,” Michael Late Benedum Chapter of the AAPL, Marietta, Ohio, September 2019

Panelist on Update of Marcellus and Utica Legal Issues - The National Association of Division Order Analysts Annual Institute, Ft. Worth, Texas, September 2019

“A Discussion of Ohio Revised Code Section 4735 – Landman Licensing,” Michael Late Benedum Chapter of the AAPL, St. Clairsville, Ohio, February 2019

“Overview of Oil and Gas Law Updates in Ohio,” International Right of Way Association, Chapter 13, in Columbus, Ohio, November 2018

“Eastern States Review,” Greater Appalachian Basin of Lease and Title Analysts, Wexford, Pennsylvania, October 2018

Moderator of Panel on “The Future of Oil and Gas in Appalachia” – WVU Law Symposium, Morgantown, West Virginia, February 2018

“Discussion of the Ohio Supreme Court’s Landmark Dormant Mineral Act Rulings,” International Right of Way Association, Chapter 13, in Columbus, Ohio, November 2016

“Marcellus Updates,” National Association of Division Order Analysts Annual Institute, Scottsdale, Arizona, September 2016

Moderator of Panel on “Post Production Clauses: Definitions, Legality and Lawsuits,” National Association of Division Order Analysts Annual Institute, Scottsdale, Arizona, September 2016

“Ohio Oil and Gas Update,” 2 Oil & Gas, Nat. Resources & Energy J. 269 (2016)

“Recording Issues Across the States, Are We More Different than Similar?” Denver Association of Division Order Analysts, Denver, Colorado, January 2016

“Ohio Oil and Gas Update,” 2 Tex. A&M L. Rev. 265 (2015)

“Historic Ties to Ohio Land Boundaries, Tracts and Descriptions and How That Affects Us Today,” International Right of Way Association, Chapter 13, in Columbus, Ohio, November 2015

“Recording Issues Across the States, Are We More Different than Similar?” National Association of Lease and Title Analysts Annual Conference, Portland, Oregon, September 2015

“Early History of Appalachian Titles, As Many as 7 things Every Landman Should know,” Michael Late Benedum Chapter of the AAPL, Bridgeport, West Virginia, November 2014

“Legal Aspects and Challenges for Title Abstracting in Ohio,” International Right of Way Association, Chapter 13, in Columbus, Ohio, November 2014

NADOA, October/November/December 2016 edition: Published article titled Ohio Supreme Court Reconciles Application of the 1989 and 2006 Versions of Dormant Mineral Act, by Lyle Brown, Tim McKeen & Kevin West

NALTA News, December 2016 edition: Published article titled Ohio Supreme Court Reconciles Application of the 1989 and 2006 Versions of Dormant Mineral Act, by Lyle B. Brown, Timothy M. McKeen & M. Vafa Barissi

"Recording Issues Across the States, Are We More Different than Similar?" The National Association of Division Order Analysts Annual Institute, Las Vegas, Nevada, October 2013

"Appalachian Title Issues," National Desk and Derrick Club Annual Meeting, Charleston, West Virginia, September 2013

"Ohio Title Issues," Michael Late Benedum Chapter of the AAPL, July 2013

"Appalachian Due Diligence," Greater Appalachian Basin Association of Lease and Title Analysts, Canton, Ohio, June 2013

Panelist on Quiet Title Actions (Ohio), Energy and Mineral Law Foundation Annual Meeting, Baltimore, Maryland, June 2013

Panelist on oil and gas title issues (Ohio), American Association of Professional Landmen Annual Meeting, Washington, D.C., June 2013

"Ohio Title Issues," Denver Association of Division Order Analysts, Denver, Colorado, April 2013

"Ohio Title Issues," Houston Association of Division Order Analysts, Houston, Texas, March 2013

"Title Issues in Marcellus and Utica Shale," Texas Wesleyan Law School Energy Symposium, Ft. Worth, Texas, March 2013

"Ohio Oil and Gas Update," 19 Tex. Wesleyan L. Rev. 503 (2013)

"Ohio Oil and Gas Update," 18 Tex. Wesleyan L. Rev. 581 (2012)

"Ohio Title Issues," International Right of Way Association, Chapter 13, Columbus, Ohio September 2012

"Ownership of Mineral Rights, Surface Rights, and Easements under West Virginia Law," Half Moon LLC Coal Symposium, Charleston, West Virginia, August 2012

"The Effect of Missing Production on Ohio's Held by Production Oil and Gas Leases," 73 St. L.J. Furthermore 1 (2012) - Ohio State's Law Journal, Furthermore

"Oil and Gas Law, a Nationwide Comparison of Laws on Leasing, Exploration and Production - Ohio," The American Association of Professional Landmen, February 2011

"How to Abstract Mineral Title," The Northern Appalachian Landman's Association, State College, Pennsylvania, November 2010

"The Horrors of the Record Room," The Northern Appalachian Landman's Association, State College, Pennsylvania, November 2010

"Cap and Trade: An Update," The Appalachian Chapter of the AAPL Winter Meeting, Abingdon, Virginia, December 2009