Energy Law Firm of Burleson LLP Names Keith A. Zabela as Partner in Pittsburgh Office

PITTSBURGH, May 4, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- The energy law firm of Burleson LLP today named Keith A. Zabela as a partner in its Pittsburgh office. Zabela concentrates his practice in oil and gas law.

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He joined the firm as managing counsel of its oil and gas title practice in 2009, when Burleson announced the opening of its Pittsburgh location to serve companies with interests in the Marcellus Shale play.  Since then, the Pittsburgh office has grown from four to 25 attorneys, recently adding eight lawyers to strengthen its transactional and litigation practice areas and to support the firm's regional and national growth strategy.  The Pittsburgh office now provides significant legal services in Pennsylvania and West Virginia, and in Ohio for the emerging Utica Shale play.

"Keith has played a pivotal role in our ongoing efforts to expand our geographic footprint in the Northeast region," said Rick Burleson, managing partner.  "His unique combination of expertise and industry knowledge has continuously reinforced our standing as the go-to energy law firm for oil and gas companies in the major U.S. shale plays."

"In the short amount of time he served as managing counsel, Keith was able to take our oil and gas title practice to an entirely new level," added Kevin Colosimo, managing partner for the firm's Pittsburgh office.  "That accomplishment alone is a testament to his legal skill and leadership abilities, and one of the many reasons why we're proud to have him as a partner.  Without a doubt, Keith Zabela is the go-to lawyer for energy companies in the Marcellus and Utica Shale plays for oil and gas title issues."

Zabela has a comprehensive background in rendering title opinions on behalf of many of the leading exploration and production companies in the Marcellus Shale.  He advises clients on oil and gas leases, acquisitions, operating agreements, joint development agreements, purchase and sale agreements, royalty issues, and curative matters.  

Prior to joining Burleson's Pittsburgh office, Zabela focused his practice on real estate and title insurance law.  He represented some of the nation's largest title insurance companies in the resolution of title claims involving lien priority, estate, bankruptcy, and foreclosure issues.  

He is a member of the Bar of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, the Pennsylvania Bar Association, and Washington County Bar Association.  

Zabela earned his undergraduate degree from Penn State and his J.D. from New York Law School.

Burleson's Pittsburgh office is located at 501 Corporate Drive, Suite 105, in the Southpointe Center in Canonsburg, and can be reached at (724) 746-6644.

About Burleson LLP

Burleson LLP has earned a reputation as the energy law firm the energy industry goes to. It has grown significantly in recent years with over 75 attorneys and offices in Houston, San Antonio, and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Serving clients in the upstream and midstream segments, the firm provides counsel to oil and gas producers, transportation companies, storage and processing businesses, and energy service providers. Burleson's far-reaching experience includes mergers, acquisitions, and divestitures; finance; private equity; venture capital; securities; corporate governance and compliance; patents and intellectual property; title review; real estate; litigation; and bankruptcy/restructuring, land use, and environmental law. For further information, visit www.burlesonllp.com.

SOURCE Burleson LLP