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Emily B. Thomas

Counsel

Houston
T +1.713.646.1307
F +1.713.751.1717
Philadelphia
T +1.215.564.8368
F +1.215.568.3439
ethomas@bakerlaw.com
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Overview

A complex commercial litigator in the energy industry, Emily Thomas has extensive experience in trial and case management in both arbitration and traditional court trials. She has also assisted numerous energy and construction clients in successful resolution of litigation through mediation. Additionally, Emily has experience in transactional work for energy clients. Her practice has a project-based energy concentration, focusing on her assistance and dedication to the entirety of her clients' projects related to oil and gas production and distribution, which includes litigation, investigations, negotiations, transactions and community involvement. Emily also assists clients in emergency response after catastrophic events, including prevention as well as response in the event of an emergency. Expanding beyond a simple partnership, she considers her relationship with clients to be that of a team that focuses on quality work and results.

Select Experience

  • On behalf of an oil and gas operator, assisted in obtaining a first-of-its-kind mandatory injunction under the Energy Policy Act of 2005, directing the Bureau of Land Management immediately to approve ten applications for permit to drill (APD) or provide substantial evidence supporting the decision to delay. EnerVest Ltd v. Jewell, No. 16-cv-1256-DBP (Memorandum Decision and Order December 30, 2016). As a result, the ten APDs were approved in time for the operator not to lose a four-month drilling window in Utah.
  • Assisting independent oil and gas producer acting as a defendant-intervenor in ongoing federal litigation over the use of hydraulic fracturing in offshore drilling of the Pacific Outer Continental Shelf, in which the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management and Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement are named defendants.
  • Represents hospitality and vacation holiday corporation clients in federal and state litigation regarding contractual issues, regulatory compliance, and Fair Debt Collection Practices complaints. Also provides guidance on contractual matters, including dispute resolution, contract drafting and related transactional issues.
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Experience

  • On behalf of an oil and gas operator, assisted in obtaining a first-of-its-kind mandatory injunction under the Energy Policy Act of 2005, directing the Bureau of Land Management immediately to approve ten applications for permit to drill (APD) or provide substantial evidence supporting the decision to delay. EnerVest Ltd v. Jewell, No. 16-cv-1256-DBP (Memorandum Decision and Order December 30, 2016). As a result, the ten APDs were approved in time for the operator not to lose a four-month drilling window in Utah.
  • Assisting independent oil and gas producer acting as a defendant-intervenor in ongoing federal litigation over the use of hydraulic fracturing in offshore drilling of the Pacific Outer Continental Shelf, in which the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management and Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement are named defendants.
  • Represents hospitality and vacation holiday corporation clients in federal and state litigation regarding contractual issues, regulatory compliance, and Fair Debt Collection Practices complaints. Also provides guidance on contractual matters, including dispute resolution, contract drafting and related transactional issues.
  • Assisted an oil and gas operator acting as a defendant-intervenor in litigation, which was raised by an environmental group to challenge numerous Bureau of Land Management Resource Management Plans in Utah.
  • Served as co-counsel for a natural gas producer related to a contract dispute with investing partners, including state, federal district court and bankruptcy court proceedings in Pennsylvania and Texas. 
  • Represented leading midstream and utility company in Pennsylvania state court and in negotiations with Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission in dispute with landowner over pipeline and tariff issues, including Public Utility Commission jurisdictional issues. Received a litigation award from the client in recognition of the successful results for this matter.
  • Represents leading renewable energy construction company in every stage of construction contracts (Including both Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC), and Balance of Plants (BOP)) and related supply agreements, including: disputes related to supply agreements and construction contracts terms; sub-contractor disputes; liens for non-payment; and land use issues, rights of way, easements and other landowner concerns. This assistance included a survey of over 40 states' laws on various relevant land use regulations and contractual requirements.
  • Represents oil and gas companies in negotiations with the Bureau of Land Management over leasing, unitization, communitization, and permitting issues.
  • Advises natural gas producers and midstream companies on the preparation of related agreements, including offtake agreements and negotiations with utility companies, as well as land use issues, rights of way, easements and other landowner concerns.
  • Advises oil and gas producers on the procurement of oil and gas rights and the preparation of related agreements.
  • Served as co-counsel for a prominent natural gas midstream company in administrative hearings as well as in litigation alleging tortious interference with contract and defamation related to the development and installation of a natural gas pipeline.
  • Assisted in the defense of an oil and gas client in a multiplaintiff litigation alleging personal injury and water contamination from drilling activities. 
  • Represented oil and gas companies in broad permitting, regulatory compliance and environmental issues related to oil and gas production and distribution.
  • Served as co-counsel for a leading equipment breakdown reinsurer in a multimillion-dollar reinsurance dispute regarding complicated chemical, fire and explosion issues, which was resolved to a decision in ARIAS reinsurance arbitration.
  • Assisted multiple policyholders in litigation related to insurance coverage for a broad variety of claims including property damage, environmental liabilities and energy production-related accidents.
  • Defended a wood treatment facility against Environmental Protection Agency and Department of Justice allegations of Resource Conservation and Recovery Act violations, including representation as counsel in successful federal mediation proceedings.
  • Assisted in the defense of a complex federal public services corruption jury trial against the United States government, including related United States Third Circuit Court of Appeals proceedings.
  • Assisted in the project development of a wind farm, including the resolution of a contract dispute related to internationally procured, damaged equipment.
  • Served as lead counsel defending a leading renewable energy construction company in a construction dispute in Pennsylvania federal court. 

Recognitions and Memberships

Recognitions

  • Pennsylvania Super Lawyers "Rising Star" (2014 to 2018)

Memberships

  • Women's Energy Network 
    • 2015 Biennial Conference
      • Speaker Chair
  • Women's Energy Network, Greater Pittsburgh Chapter
    • President (2017)
    • Vice President (2016)
    • Chair of Corporate Sponsorship Committee (2015)
    • Director of Communications (2013 to 2014)
  • Allegheny County Bar Association
  • Court of Common Pleas Allegheny County: Civil Division Arbitrator
  • Energy & Mineral Law Foundation
  • Environmental Law Institute
  • Marcellus Shale Coalition
    • Water Sourcing Subcommittee
    • Gas Use Subcommittee
  • Young Professionals in Energy

News

News

Publications

Alerts

Articles

Blog Posts

Community

  • Chi Omega Alumnae Association
  • Duke University Alumni Association

Pro Bono

  • Advises the Women's Energy Network on multiple legal issues.
  • Provides indigent clients with insurance advice. 
  • Assists on copyright issues with Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts.

Services

Industries

Prior Positions

  • Reed Smith: Associate (2012 to 2014)
  • Fulbright & Jaworski (2011 to 2012)
  • K&L Gates LLP (2006 to 2011)

Admissions

  • U.S. District Court, Middle District of Pennsylvania
  • U.S. District Court, Western District of Pennsylvania
  • U.S. District Court, District of Utah
  • U.S. District Court, District of Colorado
  • Utah
  • Pennsylvania
  • Colorado
  • Texas

Education

  • J.D., University of Pittsburgh School of Law, 2006; magna cum laude; University of Pittsburgh Law Review, Editor-in-Chief; Order of the Coif; Donald I. Moritz Honor Scholarship; CALI Awards: Legal Process, Estates and Trusts, Cyberspace and the Law
  • A.B., English Major, Chinese Minor, Duke University, 2001; Dean's List; Study Abroad Programs: Capitol Normal University, Beijing, China and Nanjing University, Nanjing, China

Languages

  • Mandarin Chinese

Blog

In The Blogs

Previous Next
Midstream Gathering Agreements Targeted by Recent Oil & Gas Bankruptcies
By Emily B. Thomas
May 12, 2016
Continuing low oil and natural gas commodity prices have led to bargain prices at the pump, but also high tension in many boardrooms. This strain on the industry has resulted in many exploration and production, or “E&P,” companies seeking...
Read More ->
The Fight to Stop the EPA’s “Clean Power Plan” Continues in the D.C. Circuit, Amid an Uncertain Future for Its Presumed Ultimate Destination – the Supreme Court
By Emily B. Thomas
March 2, 2016
On February 19, 2016, 27 states, the United States Chamber of Commerce, and over 150 different organizations and entities (the “Petitioners”) filed their joint Opening Brief on Core Legal Issues (the “Opening Brief”), related to their...
Read More ->
Thirty States and Numerous Other Interested Parties Seek an Immediate Supreme Court Stay of the EPA’s “Clean Power Plan”
By Emily B. Thomas
February 5, 2016
On January 26, 2016, 29 states and state agencies, including Oklahoma, Texas, West Virginia, Ohio, Colorado, and Mississippi (the “29 States”), submitted an application (the “29 States Application”) to the United States Supreme Court...
Read More ->
Recent Federal Legislation Rings In the New Year With Some Exciting Developments for Both the Renewable and Oil Energy Industries
By Emily B. Thomas
January 5, 2016
On December 18, 2015, the current divided United States Congress, which has not been known for many grand compromises, passed an omnibus spending bill featuring key measures related to renewable energy tax credits and to the export of...
Read More ->
EQT’s Lengthy Battle With the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection Gets Its Day in State Supreme Court
By Emily B. Thomas
November 20, 2015
On November 17, 2015, Pittsburgh-based energy company EQT Production Co. (“EQT”) presented its oral argument before the Pennsylvania Supreme Court, requesting it set aside a February 20, 2015, ruling of Commonwealth Court Judge Rochelle S...
Read More ->

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