an oil and gas litigator . This experience also helped her learn how to look at a case as a whole instead of as a linear set of tasks to be completed , thus enabling her to become an effective strategist .
After three years , Brisendine left Robinson & McElwee to take an entrylevel position as a staff attorney for Equitable Production Company , now EQT Corporation , focusing her attention on litigation matters . Brisendine climbed the legal department career ladder and assumed additional responsibilities , including oversight of all litigation matters , as well as claims , insurance and procurement contracts for EQT ’ s marketing , midstream and production subsidiaries .
In 2018 , EQT split its upstream and midstream business units , and Brisendine transitioned to the role of deputy general counsel for Equitrans Midstream Corporation , an independent , publicly traded company . In her current role , Brisendine ’ s responsibilities include litigation , claims , employment , insurance and corporate compliance .
As a current member of the Energy and Mineral Law Foundation ’ s executive committee and a member of the legal committee and in-house working group of the Marcellus Shale Coalition , she has learned that flexibility at work is key to taking on new challenges .
Brisendine genuinely believes in her organization and enjoys working with
the company ’ s many functional and operational groups . Aside from crediting her parents and husband in helping shape her career , Brisendine has also been blessed to have professionals in her life as mentors who recognize and appreciate her work ethic and dedication .
“ West Virginia attorneys Tim Miller and Brian Swiger first recognized my potential as a young associate and helped me learn the basics of litigation and oil and gas law ,” she says . “ Those gentlemen — and numerous people at both EQT and Equitrans — stand out to me as individuals who have , each in their own way , pushed me to continue striving to be better and helped me realize that I have the potential to reach the highest levels as a lawyer and corporate leader .”
While much of her work occurs behind the scenes , Brisendine has played a significant and active role in the development of oil and gas law throughout the Appalachian Basin . During her nearly 20 years of practice , she has successfully managed lawsuits and legislative efforts that have shaped important industry issues , such as royalty and rental obligations , dual-purpose lease interpretation , lease termination , multi-lease development necessitated by horizontal drilling and subsurface trespass and coalbed methane ownership .
“ There isn ’ t much that has developed
in the oil and gas legal arena that I haven ’ t been involved with ,” she says .
Equitrans operates throughout the Appalachian Basin , including in West Virginia , which enables Brisendine to have many opportunities to come home and remain a part of the legal community .
“ One of my favorite things about being an in-house attorney is that I play an active role in ensuring that the decisions we make as a company advance our business goals while taking into account the interests of the communities where we work ,” she says . “ I know and care about these people and communities , and helping to facilitate operations that are beneficial to everyone involved is important to me .”
Currently residing with her family in Wexford , PA , Brisendine eventually plans to return to West Virginia .
“ As an in-house lawyer , I ’ d like to work my way to that top in-house spot at some point . I ’ m not in a hurry though . I enjoy the work I do now ,” she says . •
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