Melissa M. McCown

Area of Emphasis

Melissa McCown is senior counsel in the Energy and Natural Resources Group of Babst Calland. She has represented clients in the oil and gas industry for more than 15 years and has assisted producers in a variety of transactional matters, including real estate closings, preparation of documents for leasing purposes and examining and certifying title. Her work includes resolving complex title defects, coordinating urgent title projects, working in-house with major energy producers to provide comprehensive lease analysis and assistance with mineral purchases, and providing legal analysis for changes in statutory and case law.

Ms. McCown's work on behalf of the oil and gas community is primarily focused in Morgantown, West Virginia. Her representation in the Morgantown area includes working with operators to reach drilling commitments, and interactions with county officials in major producing counties in northcentral West Virginia.

Ms. McCown is a strong advocate for the oil and gas industry and provides efficient and comprehensive assistance to energy clients to help them achieve their goals.

Background

Ms. McCown graduated magna cum laude from the University of Mount Union in Alliance, Ohio, in 2003, where she received her Bachelor of Arts with Honors in Political Science with minors in Music Performance and Legal Studies. She earned her J. D. from the West Virginia University College of Law in 2006. While in law school, Ms. McCown served as the Senior Managing Editor of the West Virginia Law Review.

Memberships and Affiliations

Ms. McCown was admitted to the West Virginia Bar in 2006. She is also admitted to practice before the United States District Court for the Southern District of West Virginia and the West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals. She is a member of the Gas & Oil Association of WV, Inc. (GO-WV), and the Women’s Energy Network of West Virginia. Ms. McCown was selected to the West Virginia Rising Stars list in 2009.