Peacock Keller Attorneys Jonathan Higie and Andrew Chumney Present at Energy & Mineral Law Foundation CLE Event

WASHINGTON, PA, May 04, 2011 (Press-News.org) Mineral, oil and gas lawyers Jonathan G. Higie and Andrew S. Chumney of the Washington County law firm Peacock Keller presented at the Energy & Mineral Law Foundation Continuing Legal Education (CLE) event, "Abstracting Titles in the Appalachian Basin." The seminar was held on March 10 and 11, 2011, in Canonsburg, Pa.

Peacock Keller managing partner, Higie co-presented "The Mechanics of Title Examination" with West Virginia attorney Timothy R. Rounds. Higie covered topics such as the scope of a title examination, indices and their functions, chaining title, adversing the chain of title, and liens, leases, rights of way and other encumbrances.

Chumney, a partner with Peacock Keller, reviewed a sample title opinion to demonstrate how and where abstracting work appears in title opinions in his presentation, "Pulling it all Together and Reporting it in a Title Opinion." Included in his lecture were the scope of a title examination, identifying ownership of different estates, where and why encumbrances are listed, and oil and gas lease issues that may adversely affect drilling. Chumney also spoke about title defects that may adversely affect operations and reporting the status of property taxes.

Higie focuses his practice in real property, commercial and residential lending, mineral, oil and gas, and environmental law, as well as selected municipal and zoning matters. A past president of Group Home, Inc. of Washington, Pa., Higie is a member of the American, Pennsylvania, Washington County, and Allegheny County Bar Associations. He has been a member of the Pennsylvania Bar Association House of Delegates since 2002. He also serves on the Board of Directors of the Washington Industrial Development Corporation, is a member of the Washington County Chamber of Commerce, and is a previous board member of the Allegheny County Special Olympics.

Higie is a 1989 graduate of the Dickinson School of Law. As a law student, he participated on the 1988 Irving R. Kaufman National Securities Moot Court Team and was a law clerk for a U.S. Claims Court judge in Washington, D.C. Prior to joining Peacock Keller in 1991, Higie practiced with a Pittsburgh law firm.

Chumney concentrates his practice in mineral law, oil and gas law, and real estate matters. In addition to maintaining his active legal practice, he participates in Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Washington County and has served as a coach for the Canonsburg Youth Baseball League, as well as the Canon-McMillan Youth Basketball League.

Chumney graduated from Duquesne University School of Law in 2003, where he was executive articles editor for the Duquesne Law Review. As a law student, Chumney also completed a judicial internship with the Honorable Donald E. Ziegler of the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania, and clerked with a Pittsburgh law firm. He joined Peacock Keller upon his graduation from Duquesne.

About Peacock Keller - Peacock Keller, located in Washington County, is among the largest and longest established full-service law firms in Southwestern Pennsylvania. The firm provides corporate and individual clients with experienced and knowledgeable legal services at affordable rates, helping to solve legal problems while avoiding future legal issues. Peacock Keller attorneys provide mediation services and sound legal counsel in the areas of business, corporate and nonprofit law; civil, insurance and medical malpractice litigation; coal, oil, gas, shale gas, mineral and energy law; construction law; elder law; employment law; estate administration and planning; guardianship; hospital law; personal injury; real estate law; school law and workers' compensation law. To learn about the firm, visit http://www.peacockkeller.com.