Corporate and Commercial Law

Natural Resources and Energy Practice Group Leader

Executive Committee, Member

• Kentucky, 1984

• University of Kentucky College of Law, J.D., 1984
• University of Kentucky, B.A., 1979

Warren is a member of the Lexington, Kentucky office who practices corporate and commercial law in the energy and natural resources area. He is the group leader for the firm's energy and natural resources law practice. He is selected for inclusion in Kentucky Super Lawyers® 2007-2010 and received a Band 1 ranking by Chambers USA® for Kentucky-Natural Resources. Recently, Best Lawyers in America® recognized Warren as the "2011 Lexington Energy Lawyer of the Year." Warren has devoted most of his career to handling energy related matters, including coal reserve acquisition, leasing and permitting, purchases and sales of mining companies, contract mining and coal preparation agreements, transloading and transportation facilities and contracts, financing coal mining and utiltiy operations, issues arising under federal and state regulatory programs including SMCRA and MSHA, and sales and leases of mining equipment. Warren negotiates and documents fuel supply contracts for utilities and coal companies and also counsels clients in the disputes that often arise from such agreements. 

Representative clients include East Kentucky Power Cooperative, Inc., Ross Harris Group, and Don Bowles Corporation.

Experience

• $1.3 billion in acquisitions and related financings for large coal company
• $860 million sale coal company assets
• $650 million 15 year coal lease and sales transaction for large utility
• $140 million sale of coal company stock and assets
• $96 million acquisition of seven coal terminals and coal reserves and operations in three states
• $43 million sale/leaseback of coal properties
• $34 million investment in coal company
• $22 million sale of coal companies stock assets and related credit facility  

• Selected for inclusion in Kentucky Super Lawyers®, 2007-2011
• Chambers USA,® America's Leading Business Lawyers, 2005-2011, Band One -- Natural Resources
• The Best Lawyers in America®, 2011 Lexington Energy Lawyer of the Year
• The Best Lawyers in America®, 2005-2012
• AV® Rated, Martindale-Hubbell®

• American Bar Association
• Kentucky Bar Association
• Fayette County Bar
• Coal Operators and Associates, Member
• Energy and Mineral Law Foundation, Trustee, Member
• Generation and Transmission Lawyers Association, Member
• Kentucky Coal Association, Member
• Lexington Coal Exchange, Member
• Southern Coals Council, Member
• Western Kentucky Coal Association, Member

• Warren participates in a variety of civic and charitable organizations in the Lexington community, including service on the Board of Directors of Kentucky Easter Seal Society, Inc. (Past Chairman) and on the Executive Committee and Board of Trustees of Cardinal Hill Rehabilitation Hospital (Past Chairman).

Moderator: "Negotiating" a Reliable Supply of Energy- Kentucky Chamber, Kentucky Energy Management Conference: Planning for an Uncertain Future-2011

Panelist: Coal Asset Based Transactions- Energy & Mineral Law Foundation, Coal Law Short Course- 2010
Panelist: Coal Asset Based Transactions- Energy & Mineral Law Foundation, Coal Law Short Course- 2009
Panelist: Coalbed Methane Development Issues - Energy & Mineral Law Foundation, 29th Kentucky Mineral Law Conference-2004
Panelist: Bankruptcy Issues Effecting Coal Entities - Energy & Mineral Law Foundation, 28th Kentucky Mineral Law Conference-2003
Panelist: Kentucky’s New Coalbed Methane Statute - Kentucky Oil & Gas Association 2004 Annual Meeting