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Luke is a partner in the oil & gas team of Reed Smith’s Energy and Natural Resources Group. He has spent over a decade representing energy industry clients litigating a variety of cases involving all aspects of hydrocarbon development. Luke handles lease and landowner litigation, as well as complex contractual disputes, including cases involving drilling contracts, joint operating agreements, and other industry-specific relationships.
Experience
Representative matters
Representative matters
Defended exploration and production company in breach of contract action brought by drilling contractor, alleging damages over $32 million. Brought case to and through two week jury trial in federal court, culminating in a full defense verdict.
Defended various EQT entities from allegations that an oil and gas lease has expired. The matter addresses issues of first impression for Pennsylvania state courts regarding the interpretation of "dual-purpose" oil and gas leases. The trial court held that under these leases either the production of gas or the storage of gas would extend the life of the lease. The trial court ruling was affirmed on appeal by the Pennsylvania Superior Court.
Obtained Special and Preliminary Injunction in Pennsylvania State Court barring a threatening landowner from coming within 500 yards of client's operations personnel.
Experience
Defended exploration and production company in breach of contract action brought by drilling contractor, alleging damages over $32 million. Brought case to and through two week jury trial in federal court, culminating in a full defense verdict.
Defended various EQT entities from allegations that an oil and gas lease has expired. The matter addresses issues of first impression for Pennsylvania state courts regarding the interpretation of "dual-purpose" oil and gas leases. The trial court held that under these leases either the production of gas or the storage of gas would extend the life of the lease. The trial court ruling was affirmed on appeal by the Pennsylvania Superior Court.
Obtained Special and Preliminary Injunction in Pennsylvania State Court barring a threatening landowner from coming within 500 yards of client's operations personnel.
Defended three separate but related mass tort actions pending or completed in West Virginia state courts, including obtaining voluntary dismissal of client from the largest action after the filing of summary judgment.
Part of trial team securing victory for oil and gas operator in case challenging an oil and gas lease as improperly taken on a restricted parcel of land.
Tried to complete defense verdict allegation of breach of contract in services agreement.
Member of team representing oil and gas operator in claims by 40+ lessors seeking to have their leases, covering thousands of acres in Western Pennsylvania, declared invalid, and bringing claims for breach of contract, breach of the covenant of good faith and fair dealing, trespass, and fraudulent misrepresentation.
Secured voluntary dismissal of trucking client, with prejudice, of claims arising out of truck accident fatality.
Part of trial team granted compulsory non-suit after presentation of Plaintiffs' case-in-chief, dismissing claims of underpayment of royalties pursuant to oil and gas lease.
Secured voluntary dismissal of complaint alleging manufacturing defects in medical device.
Group represented client in successfully removing, and compelling to bi-lateral arbitration, putative class action making claims against oil and gas lessees and others for compensatory and punitive damages as a result of contempt, breach of fiduciary obligations, fraud, negligent misrepresentation, slander of title, civil conspiracy, outrage, and negligence.
Part of a team securing temporary restraining order ensuring client could have timely access to take actions on property necessary to be taken before a period of cessation required by state conservation laws.
Counsel for client awarded summary judgment win on claims of oil and gas lease expiration.
Secured preliminary injunction ensuring that landowner could not drive heavy equipment over pipeline right of way, and temporary restraining order prohibiting the hindrance of ingress and egress to the property.
Represented client by defeating motion for partial summary judgment in case seeking a declaration that oil and gas lease had terminated, leading Plaintiffs to file a Praecipe to Discontinue the case.
Team successfully handled contentious removal to federal court of claims for breach of contract, conversion, ejectment, slander of title, interference with business relationships, breach of fiduciary duty, breach of the covenant of good faith and fair dealing, unauthorized practice of law, negligent/intentional misrepresentation, breach of lease, and others. After removal, claim was dismissed against all clients.
Claims brought against oil and gas lessees regarding the continued validity of an oil and gas lease, slander of title, outrage, civil conspiracy, and trespass. Part of the team successfully defeating, on the basis of fraudulent joinder, attempted remand, and successfully compelled matter to arbitration.
Helped secure summary judgment of claims seeking lease termination and seven figures of damages for alleged unjust enrichment, wrongful taking/conversion, and trespass.
Team defeated request for injunctive relief and compelled matter to arbitration in claim by oil and gas lessor seeking to void portions of their oil and gas lease and claiming damages for other various alleged breaches of the lease.
Assisted in successfully removing and compelling to arbitration case bringing claims of fraudulent inducement and slander of title.
Co-Counsel for technology client in an investigation initiated by the United States House of Representatives Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.
Recognitions
Recognized by The Best Lawyers in America® (Energy Law; Oil and Gas Law), 2025–2027
Ranked in Chambers USA for Pennsylvania Energy & Natural Resources, 2021-2026
Selected for inclusion on the Pennsylvania Super Lawyers Rising Stars list for Energy & Natural Resources, 2013-2022
Credentials
Education
Education
- Georgetown University Law Center, 2010, J.D., cum laude; Dean’s List (2007-2008, 2008-2009), Georgetown Journal of International Law, Member
- University of Pittsburgh, 2007, B.A., Political Science, and Communication & Rhetoric; minor in American History, magna cum laude
Professional admissions & qualifications
Professional admissions & qualifications
- Pennsylvania
- West Virginia
- Ohio
- Texas
Court admissions
Court admissions
- U.S. District Court - Middle District of Pennsylvania
- U.S. District Court - Western District of Pennsylvania
- U.S. District Court - Northern District of West Virginia
- U.S. District Court - Southern District of West Virginia
- U.S. Court of Appeals - Fourth Circuit
- U.S. Court of Appeals - Third Circuit
Professional affiliations
Professional affiliations
- Member, Institute for Energy Law’s Inaugural Young Energy Professionals’ Leadership Class (2018-2019)
- Member, Institute for Energy Law’s Young Energy Professionals’ Leadership Council
- Vice Chair, Institute for Energy Law’s Young Energy Professionals’ Student Outreach Sub-Committee
- Member, Institute for Energy Law’s Programs Committee
- Co-Chair, IEL’s 4th Annual National Young Energy Professionals’ Conference (2020)
- Member, Board of Trustees, Energy and Mineral Law Foundation
- Co-Chair, Young Lawyers Committee, Energy and Mineral Law Foundation
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