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Megan is an experienced energy and environmental litigator who helps clients develop large-scale infrastructure projects – from upstream oil and gas facilities and related energy infrastructure to data centers – by navigating complex permitting, environmental review, and regulatory opposition, and by supporting land use matters from an environmental, health, and safety perspective.
Experience
Representative matters
Representative matters
Advising a major technology company and other data center developers on environmental permitting strategy and the environmental aspects of land use permitting for large-scale data center campuses across Pennsylvania.
Successfully represented natural gas exploration and production companies in obtaining long-delayed well site permitting and dismissing litigation challenging those permits.
Defended multiple oil and gas exploration and production companies against claims alleging environmental and water contamination arising from operations, including hydraulic fracturing.
Infrastructure Permitting and Project Opposition
Advising a major technology company and other data center developers on environmental permitting strategy and the environmental aspects of land use permitting for large-scale data center campuses across Pennsylvania.
Successfully represented natural gas exploration and production companies in obtaining long-delayed well site permitting and dismissing litigation challenging those permits.
Defended multiple oil and gas exploration and production companies against claims alleging environmental and water contamination arising from operations, including hydraulic fracturing.
Represented a natural gas company in obtaining underground Injection control (UIC) well permitting and resolving litigation challenging a municipal ordinance prohibiting UIC well development, resulting in rescission of the ordinance.
Represented a coal company before the Pennsylvania Environmental Hearing Board in complex appeals involving coal-mining permits, securing decisions upholding longwall mining beneath Pennsylvania streams and rejecting efforts to enjoin mining in a state park.
Environmental Litigation and Regulatory Defense
Representing a manufacturer with respect to personal injury claims from alleged PFAS exposures.
Defending a midstream operator in claims arising from alleged leaks from storage operations.
Obtained summary judgment dismissing claims against an analytical laboratory services company and two oilfield services companies in high-profile toxic tort litigation.
Represented a propane distributor in a PHMSA hearing concerning potential violations of pipeline safety regulations.
Environmental Regulatory Counseling
Advising a solar developer regarding environmental issues arising from project location on a former strip mine.
Advised a midstream energy company in responding to USEPA requests for information relating to EPCRA and CERCLA matters.
Advising oil and gas and midstream companies on Clean Air Act permitting, compliance, and enforcement, including well site and air permitting, air inventory discussions with regulators, and negotiating and successfully concluding a Clean Air Act audit following an ownership change.
Advised a natural gas company on National Environmental Policy Act issues related to oil and gas leasing on Bureau of Land Management land.
Advised energy clients on carbon- and climate-related requirements, including proposed New York greenhouse gas reporting regulations and ESG policy development for an oil and gas exploration and production company.
Environmental Due Diligence and Transactions
Acting as environmental counsel in a data center financing transaction.
Led environmental diligence for institutions financing construction of two natural gas-fired power plants in Pennsylvania.
Acted as lender and tax finance counsel on environmental diligence for a solar project transaction.
Oversaw environmental audits of recently acquired assets for natural gas companies.
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.
Defended oil and gas lease claims, including disputes over surface access and lease termination.
Recognitions
Recognized by The Best Lawyers in America® (Litigation – Environmental; Oil and Gas Law), 2024–2027
Ranked in Chambers USA for Pennsylvania Environment, 2022–2026
Credentials
Education
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
Professional admissions & qualifications
Professional admissions & qualifications
- Ohio
- Pennsylvania
- Texas
Court admissions
Court admissions
- U.S. District Court - Middle District of Pennsylvania
- U.S. District Court - Western District of Pennsylvania
News
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Insights
Insights
Real Estate Finance Journal
Navigating permitting challenges: A practical guide for data center development in Pennsylvania
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Blogs
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