Richard L. Gottlieb
Richard Gottlieb is of counsel at Lewis Gianola PLLC in Charleston, West Virginia. Mr. Gottlieb primarily represents oil and natural gas producers and other energy businesses in regulatory, litigation, and commercial matters. Mr. Gottlieb is also experienced representing energy and utility providers in matters before the Public Service Commission of West Viginia. He also serves clients in government and administrative law and related concerns.
After attending The University of Warwick in Coventry, England, Mr. Gottlieb completed his undergraduate studies at Tulane University. He continued his studies at the Washington and Lee University School of Law, where he received his Juris Doctor (JD).
He is admitted to practice law by the Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia and the District of Columbia Court of Appeals and practices before all West Virginia federal and state courts.
Mr. Gottlieb is a member of the Board of Trustees and former officer of the Energy & Mineral Law Foundation and serves on the Legal Committee of the Gas & Oil Association of West Virginia.
Active in the Charleston community, Mr. Gottlieb volunteers for various local non-profit organizations, including Legal Aid of West Virginia, Meals on Wheels, and Read Aloud West Virginia. In addition to his volunteer work, Mr. Gottlieb enjoys traveling, reading, playing guitar, and working out in his time away from the office.
Community and Public Service
Volunteer, Legal Aid of West Virginia
Volunteer, Meals on Wheels
Volunteer, Read Aloud West Virginia
Professional Affiliations
West Virginia State Bar
Energy & Mineral Law Foundation
Board of Trustees
Former officer
Gas & Oil Association of West Virginia
Legal Committee
Recognitions and Awards
Recognized by Chambers and Partners as a top attorney in Energy and Natural Resources
Recognized in Best Lawyers® as the 2022 Charleston-WV “Lawyer of the Year” for Energy Law
Included in the 2023 edition of The Best Lawyers in America® for Energy Law since 2010
Included in the 2023 edition of The Best Lawyers in America® for Oil and Gas Law since 2008
Earned the Best Lawyers® 2013 Charleston-WV “Lawyer of the Year” recognition for Oil and Gas Law
Recognized by Super Lawyers® as a top-rated energy and natural resources attorney in Charleston, West Virginia
Selected to Super Lawyers® for business litigation and energy and natural resources, 2007, 2011 to 2023
Admissions
Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia
District of Columbia Court of Appeals
Recognitions and Awards
Recognized by Chambers and Partners as a top attorney in Energy and Natural Resources
Recognized in Best Lawyers® as the 2022 Charleston-WV “Lawyer of the Year” for Energy Law
Included in the 2023 edition of The Best Lawyers in America® for Energy Law since 2010
Included in the 2023 edition of The Best Lawyers in America® for Oil and Gas Law since 2008
Earned the Best Lawyers® 2013 Charleston-WV “Lawyer of the Year” recognition for Oil and Gas Law
Recognized by Super Lawyers® as a top-rated energy and natural resources attorney in Charleston, West Virginia
Selected to Super Lawyers® for business litigation and energy and natural resources, 2007, 2011 to 2023
Representative Cases
Columbia Gas Transmission Corp. v. FERC, 895 F.2d 791 (D.C. Cir. 1990)
Representative Matters
Class action royalty disputes, other lease issues, contract cases, and environmental and property damage claims for major natural gas producers
Regulatory and permitting cases before the West Virginia Oil and Gas Conservation Commission as well as the state’s shallow gas well and coalbed methane review boards for natural gas producers
Public Service Commission of West Virginia representation for natural gas local distribution companies, telecommunication companies, and other utilities
Mineral lease and joint operating agreement litigation and arbitrations for lessors and lessees
Matters involving acquisition of natural gas rights and development of the Marcellus Shale for natural gas producers and developers investment
Federal class actions representation for brokerage firms, investment advisors, national banks, and other lending institutions in matters involving claims of fraud, misrepresentation, and violations of federal and state laws
Presentations and Lectures
Presenter/speaker, Energy & Mineral Law Foundation conferences and workshops
Presenter/speaker, American Association of Professional Landmen (AAPL) conferences and workshops
Publications
“Oil & & Gas Law – Nationwide Comparison of Laws on Leasing, Exploration & Production,”, AAPL, 2022
A ranked lawyer on Chambers USA, Mr. Gottlieb was recognized by Chambers and Partners as a top attorney in Energy and Natural Resources.
In addition, Mr. Gottlieb has been recognized by Best Lawyers® as the 2022 Charleston-WV “Lawyer of the Year” for Energy Law and included in the 2023 edition of The Best Lawyers in America® for Energy Law and Oil and Gas Law. He has been selected by his peers annually for these honors since 2010 for Energy Law and since 2008 for Oil and Gas Law. Mr. Gottlieb earned the Best Lawyers® 2013 Charleston-WV “Lawyer of the Year” recognition for Oil and Gas Law.
Mr. Gottlieb’s experience as a WV energy attorney also includes previous service as counsel in the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission’s Office of Enforcement and as a senior attorney with Columbia Gas Transmission Corporation (now TC Energy).
Richard Gottlieb has managed and led complex, high-dollar commercial litigation cases representing energy firms, financial institutions, and large corporations. He has represented the following clients, among others:
In addition to and correlation with his work as an oil and gas attorney, Mr. Gottlieb also serves clients in the areas of casino and gaming law, permitting and government relations, government and administrative law, litigation and appeals, real estate and property law, transactions, and contracts.
Businesses need a WV oil and gas attorney with deep knowledge of the energy industry and the various areas of law that govern it. Richard Gottlieb has 30 years of experience as a WV natural gas lawyer and more. Contact him by calling Lewis Gianola PLLC in Charleston at (304) 345-2000 or by completing the law firm’s online contact form.
