Neal Pierce brings almost 40 years of oil and gas industry experience to the Steptoe & Johnson Energy Team.  For over 15 years, he served as general counsel for one of the largest exploration and production companies in the Appalachian basin. He focuses on energy law, Utica and Marcellus shale gas law and conventional oil and gas law, working in the firm's Columbus, Ohio office. His experience includes legal due diligence in reviewing land records and in managing administrative land teams, oil and gas acquisitions and divestitures, mineral leases, joint operating agreements and contracts and administrative regulatory practice related to mineral development, including rulemaking and legislative negotiation and drafting in several Appalachian Basin states and the Province of New Brunswick.