Allison Janine Farrell

LinkedIn Profile

Allison J. Farrell is an experienced oil, gas, and coal attorney in the Appalachian basin who also has a significant real estate practice. Having handled hundreds of energy litigation and real property matters, Allison understands the risks and benefits of commercial litigation in WV and PA and works closely with her clients in an effort to efficiently achieve their goals.

Allison earned her law degree from the West Virginia University College of Law in 2009, where she was selected to the Order of the Coif. She practiced for nine years before joining Jenkins Fenstermaker, PLLC in Clarksburg, where she handles energy- and property-related matters as well as general insurance defense.

Working closely with title attorneys on real estate and title litigation in WV and surrounding states, Allison represents clients in matters related to lease acquisition, quiet title disputes, disagreements over royalty payments, and trespass claims, among other real property and estate litigation actions.

As an insurance defense attorney, Allison also has experience handling general civil defense and has successfully defended personal injury and medical malpractice claims in West Virginia and Pennsylvania.

Knowing that settlement is often the best resolution to high-stakes litigation, Allison has counseled clients through innumerable mediations and negotiated settlements.

As an oil, gas, and coal attorney in the Appalachian Basin, Allison is a frequent public speaker on emergent issues in the oil and gas industry. She has presented at conferences on the topic of West Virginia’s co-tenancy law and its practical implications for operators in West Virginia. She is a member of the West Virginia Oil and Natural Gas Association, Women’s Energy Network, the Energy and Mineral Law Foundation, the Harrison County Chamber of Commerce, and a founding board member of Young Professional Women in Energy.

Allison is originally from Buffalo, NY and moved to West Virginia from Montana in 2005. An avid horsewoman, Allison and her family live on a farm in the central part of the State. In her free time, she enjoys trail riding, working on the farm, and traveling.

Education:

J.D., West Virginia University College of Law, 2009

Order of the Coif

M.A., University at Buffalo, 2000

B.A., University of Montana, 1999

Bar Admissions:

Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia

United States District Court for the Northern District of West Virginia

United States District Court for the Southern District of West Virginia

Supreme Court of Pennsylvania

Professional and Community Activities:

The West Virginia State Bar, Member, 2009 to Present

Energy and Mineral Law Foundation, Member

Harrison County Chamber of Commerce, Member

West Virginia Oil and Natural Gas Association, Member

Women’s Energy Network, Member

Young Professional Women in Energy

Founding Board Member

Secretary/Treasurer

Presentations and Publications:

One Stick in The Bundle: Characterizing Nonparticipating Royalty Interests Under West Virginia Law, 117 W. Va. L. Rev. 519, 2014

Surface Use in the Age of Horizontal Drilling: Will Horizontal Wells Be Considered a ‘Reasonably Necessary’ Use of the Surface?, North Dakota Law Review, Volume 88, No. 3, 2012

One Man v. “The 800-Pound Gorilla”: An Argument for Truly Just Compensation in Condemnation Proceedings, 111 W. Va. L. Rev. 503, 528-29, 2009

Recognitions and Awards:

Super Lawyers Rising Star, 2012 to 2019

Past Employment:

Member, Steptoe & Johnson PLLC, 2009 to 2018

Public Relations Director, Glenville State College, 2005 to 2006

Political Reporter, Lee Newspapers, 2002 to 2005

Reporter, The Daily Gazette, 2000 to 2002

Reporter, The Leader Herald, 2001

Associate Editor, The Amherst Bee, 2000 to 2001