Megan S. Haines

"Megan has the right contacts and understands our industry. She also has an awareness of the commercial aspect and anticipates new regulation."
Chambers USA, Environment client

“Megan Haines is an experienced attorney on matters relating to environmental regulations and litigation on behalf of clients in the energy space. She also assists clients with environmental due diligence on transactions.”
Chambers USA, Environment 2026

Megan is an experienced energy and environmental litigator who helps clients meet their operational needs and manage risk. She has successfully represented oil and gas, coal, manufacturing and construction companies in claims relating to alleged environmental contamination, permit appeals (first and third-party) and compliance orders. She has litigated claims in state and Federal courts and before administrative agencies and boards. Megan has extensive experience with high-profile, multi-forum fights attempting to derail or declare illegal energy development projects.

Experience

Representative matters

Successfully represented natural gas exploration and production companies in obtaining long delayed well site permitting and obtained dismissal of litigation challenging that permitting.

Represented natural gas client in obtaining Underground Injection Control Well permitting and related litigation challenging municipal ordinance prohibiting the development of UIC wells, which resulted in a settlement to rescind the ordinance.

Obtained summary judgment dismissal of analytical laboratory services company and two oilfield services companies in high profile toxic tort litigation.

Environmental Litigation

Successfully represented natural gas exploration and production companies in obtaining long delayed well site permitting and obtained dismissal of litigation challenging that permitting.

Obtained summary judgment dismissal of analytical laboratory services company and two oilfield services companies in high profile toxic tort litigation.

Represented multiple oil and gas exploration and production companies in claims asserting environmental contamination from operating, including from hydraulic fracturing.

Represented coal client before Pennsylvania Environmental Hearing Board in six-year complex offensive and defensive appeals relating to coal mining activities permitting and associated regulations thereof, resulting in decisions, among others, upholding the legality of longwall mining beneath streams in Pennsylvania and denying efforts to enjoin mining in a state park.

Energy Commercial Litigation

Obtained multiple industry-favorable rulings construing oil and gas lease requirements, such as unitization, shut-in and extension provisions.

Obtained summary judgment and order for attorneys’ fees and costs on behalf of natural gas well operator in operating agreement dispute with working interest owner over decision not to place well into production.

Represented exploration and production company in gas gathering and processing agreement dispute arising from pipeline explosion on gatherer’s line.

Favorably resolved an oil and gas joint operating dispute relating to well proposals and rights to operate on behalf of a non-operator.

Environmental/ESG

Negotiated and successfully concluded Oil and Gas New Owner Clean Air Act Audit.

Advised oil and gas exploration and production company in drafting and adoption of ESG policy

Advised coal-fired power plant regarding comprehensive clean energy bill.

Lead environmental diligence on behalf of institutions lending funds to finance the construction of two natural gas-fired power plants in Pennsylvania.

Acted as lender and tax finance counsel in environmental diligence on solar project transaction.

Advised oil and gas companies regarding numerous site remediation projects.

Advised numerous oil and gas companies regarding well site and air permitting and compliance matters.

Acted as an oil and gas representative in discussions with regulators regarding air inventory, permitting and compliance matters.

Advised and represented client regarding state and federal permitting and compliance issues associated with spent pickle liquor recycling and transport.

Represented manufacturing clients in negotiations regarding NPDES permit compliance and reissuance matters.

Recognitions

Selected through peer review for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America© for Oil and Gas Law, 2024-2025, and for Litigation – Environmental, 2025
Ranked in Chambers USA for Pennsylvania Environment, 2022-2026

Credentials

Education

Duquesne University School of Law, 2006, J.D., cum laude, Special Editions & Research Editor, Duquesne Law Review
University of Pittsburgh, 2003, B.A., summa cum laude