In moving to Reed Smith, Haines rejoins her colleague Ryan T. Purpura, a renowned dealmaker in the oil and gas space, who also joined the firm as a partner in Pittsburgh in September, having previously chaired McGuireWoods’ global energy group. In addition to Haines and Purpura, their colleague, Ryan Haddad, today also joins the firm as an associate in the Energy and Natural Resources Industry Group focused on transactions.
“We are very excited to welcome Megan and Ryan, who have a strong, collaborative relationship with Ryan Purpura,” said Prajakt Samant, chair of Reed Smith’s global Energy and Natural Resources Industry Group. “Together, this tightly-knit team presents the full package of legal services for our industry clients, with Ryan Purpura providing strategic legal and business advice on transactions, Megan Haines delivering essential environmental regulatory and energy litigation capabilities, and Ryan Haddad rounding out the team with his focus on mergers and acquisitions in the oil and gas space.”
A leading energy litigator, Haines has first-chaired numerous high-profile energy disputes and environmental regulatory matters in state and federal courts and before state and federal agencies. She represents a broad array of businesses in energy, commodities, and manufacturing – from natural gas exploration and production and coal mining, to steel and carbon product manufacturers.
“Reed Smith has three key things I was looking for in a firm,” Haines said. “The firm is the preeminent oil and gas practice in Pennsylvania with a full-service offering in Houston, and a three-office platform in Texas, which is mission critical for our energy clients. Moreover, it’s developed a truly global platform capable of handling cross-border, international work anywhere in the world, which is another key differentiator for our clients’ expanding horizons. On top of that, I am very impressed by the firm’s culture of innovation and long-term commitment to diversity.”
In addition to her complex litigation work, Haines counsels clients on a full spectrum of environmental regulatory challenges, permitting, licensing and compliance issues, and municipal zoning matters impacting real estate development and commercial transactions.
A rising star in energy and commodities transactions, Ryan Haddad focuses on corporate mergers and acquisitions, and additionally handles joint ventures, project finance and other agreements and regulatory issues of major impact. He has negotiated master service agreements and other operational agreements, oil and gas lease and mineral transactions and disputes, land use matters, due diligence reviews related to real property acquisitions, and a broad range of real estate transactions for corporate and individual clients.
“Our lawyers know this team very well having sat across the table from us on several high-stakes matters,” said Ron Francis, managing partner of Reed Smith’s Pittsburgh office. “We’re happy to have this team which will just add to our reputation as the number one influencer in the energy sector.”
Haines, Purpura, and Haddad are the newest members of Reed Smith’s Oil and Gas team, which is led by partner Nicolle R. Snyder-Bagnell in Pittsburgh, and includes Pittsburgh-based partner Jennifer A. Smokelin, who co-leads the firm’s Environmental practice.
Prior to joining McGuireWoods, Haines was counsel at Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney; and an associate at Fulbright & Jaworski and K&L Gates. She is a 2006 cum laude graduate of Duquesne University School of Law where from 2013 to 2018, she served as an adjunct professor teaching oil and gas law.
Haddad is a 2012 graduate of American University Washington College of Law.
About Reed Smith
Reed Smith is a dynamic international law firm dedicated to helping clients move their businesses forward. Our belief is that by delivering smarter and more creative legal services, we will not only enrich our clients’ experiences with us, but also support them in achieving their business goals.
Our long-standing relationships, international outlook, and collaborative structure make us the go-to partner for the speedy resolution of complex disputes, transactions, and regulatory matters.
For further information, please visit reedsmith.com.
